Chief Executive Officer
Sarah completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Calgary and her Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Western Ontario. With over 15 years of experience at Calgary Public Library, Sarah has served in a variety of roles, including as the Director of Service Delivery responsible for the new Central Library project. Recently she oversaw the Library’s pandemic response. Sarah also served as the vice-chair for the Calgary Heritage Authority and was a recipient of a Top 40 under 40 award in 2011. She works to foster curiosity, innovation, and fantastic visitor experiences, and is passionate about the ways in which public libraries transform lives and build community.
Director, Service Design & Innovation
Heather completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Calgary and her Masters in Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta. With experience in both academic and public library environments, she has been with the Calgary Public Library since 2005, working in various leadership roles including Manager of Diversity Services, Manager of Community Services, and as the Functional Program Lead for the new Central Library project. In her current role, she oversees the Service Design department.
Director, Visitor Experience
Melissa completed her undergraduate degree at York University and her Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) at Western University. After graduating from Western, she spent one year teaching English in Ulsan, South Korea.
Melissa has experience in both academic and public libraries. Over the past 14 years Melissa has worked in six public library systems across Canada, including Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories. Melissa has done nearly every job in public libraries — from shelver to CEO.
Throughout her career she has held multiple leadership roles, has actively worked on committees advocating for public libraries, and has engaged in association work and training, including LEAN and Service Design.
Director, Communications & Engagement
Mary is an alumna from the University of Toronto and a graduate of the Rozsa Arts Management Program at the Haskayne School of Business. After beginning her career in publishing, Mary was Marketing Manager at Wordfest before joining the National Music Centre in 2013. While there she led major marketing and communications projects that included crisis communications around the 2013 floods, a capital fundraising campaign, national and international media campaigns, content marketing strategies, and the opening of the National Music Centre’s new 160,000 square foot facility in July 2016. She has worked in marketing and communications within the cultural sector for over ten years. In her current role, Mary oversees the Media Production and Marketing & Communications departments.
Director, Strategy & Planning
Paul earned an Economics degree from The University of Western Ontario and a MBA degree from the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto. Before joining the Calgary Public Library, he gained library and municipal experience at The City of Mississauga. He currently oversees Analytics & Project Support, Financial Services, Facilities Planning & Operations, and Human Resources.
Director, Information and Technology
Scott completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Lethbridge and his Masters in Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta. He has experience in both special, academic and public libraries. He has been delivering technology services in public libraries since 1995 and at Calgary Public Library since 2003. In his current role he oversees the planning and delivery of Technology services at the Library.
Staff members consider the following key areas: civic and digital literacy, early literacy, and services for Indigenous communities, newcomers, children, teens, and readers.
Service Design Leads
Marshall Sumka, Collections
Anne Marie Fryer, Digital Resources
Kari Brawn, Collection Development
Patrick Ulrich, Planning and Operations
Steve Donnelly, Operations
Chae Jun, Controller
Katrina Ducs, Purchasing
Jillian Palbom, Human Resources
Lina Al Dana, Information Technology Operations
Carlo Rivas Castagnino, Information Technology Infrastructure
Anton Chuppin, Information Technology Interfaces
Ian Schuyt, Information Technology Data & Planning
Connie Smith, Volunteer Resources & Program Support Lead
Steven Dohlman, Events & Program Partnerships Lead