Leadership and Board of Directors
CCASA Leadership
Danielle Aubry, Chief Executive Officer
Danielle Aubry began her career in anti-violence work over 30 years ago as a volunteer and progressed to a variety of positions including educator, shelter worker, and therapist. She is the CEO at CCASA, and founded the agency in her home in 1994. Her work in establishing CCASA as a stable presence in the community earned her national recognition in 1998 when she was awarded one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40 leadership and management awards.
Danielle holds both a Bachelor and Master’s degree in social work from the University of Calgary, with a Master’s focus on management, community development, organizations and policy. Her Master’s thesis specifically explored the potential of collaboration between social service agencies. In 2007 she was awarded a Muttart Foundation Fellowship Grant to further her study into forms of consolidation for not-for-profit organizations.
Danielle has been heavily involved in the creation and development of Connect Family and Sexual Abuse Network www.connectnetwork.ca . She is a member of the Connect Strategic Planning Committee, and believes Connect is a vital collaboration to provide a complete range of services for the people of Calgary and area affected by family and sexual violence.
CCASA Board of Directors
The members of CCASA’s Board of Directors are elected from and by the agency’s membership. The Board of Directors consists of 5-6 elected individuals who work closely with CCASA’s Executive Director and leadership team (but are not involved in the day to day work of the agency) to establish the strategic direction of the agency so to ensure the strongest service and program delivery for our community members and CCASA clients and accountability and ongoing growth for the organization
Leigh Anne Sturmy – President
Board Member since 2012
Leigh Anne joined the CCASA board as Treasurer in 2012. She received a Bachelor of Science, Major in Mathematics, and a Bachelor of Business Administration, Major in Accounting, from Saint Francis Xavier University in 1999 and 2001. She received her Chartered Accountant designation in 2004 and her Chartered Business Valuator designation in 2009 while working in Ernst & Young’s audit and valuation practices in both Halifax and Calgary. Leigh Anne currently works as a Senior Manager, Corporate Finance & Transaction Services for ATCO Group in Calgary where she contributes to the long-range planning, business development and strategic aspects of the business.
Arleigh Vasconcellos – Director
Board Member since 2012
Arleigh brings a wealth of experience and passion to all her projects and clients. Working in PR and communications for over 17 years, she has a background in international markets and honed her skills working for global companies including Virgin Holidays and Reed Exhibitions. For the past eight years Arleigh has focused her expertise on the technology industry creating first-rate outcomes for The Agency’s clients, a boutique PR she founded in 2009. She was recognized as one of the Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Celebration of Achievement Nominees in 2013 and 2014 and has an honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Ottawa. Arleigh is dedicated to giving back and has volunteered for numerous non-profit organizations over the years, including serving on the CCASA board since June 2012.
Desmond (Des) Biss – Vice President
Board Member since 2015
Desmond is a collaborative innovator, focused on Continuous Improvement, Business Process Management and Change leadership. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with a Marketing Major and has led a versatile career with over 18 years of experience across Banking, Oil & Gas, Telecommunications, and Marketing Communications. At a professional and personal level, Desmond is driven and passionate about growth, learning, and positive change. As someone who was impacted by child sexual abuse, he recognized opportunity through his own healing journey to change the context in which our society responds to child sexual abuse. Desmond is committed to growing awareness of the dedicated support and healing resources available for men and women.
Sarah Jesberger – Secretary
Board Member since 2015
Sarah received a Bachelor of Science (Physiology), and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Saskatchewan in 2008. She completed her Master of Accounting and received her Chartered Accountant designation in 2010. She currently works in the treasury group of a Calgary midstream company and previously worked in the audit and assurance group for PwC’s Calgary office.
Jennifer Marshall
Board Member since 2017
Jennifer Marshall graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology (Concentration – Structured Inequality)) in 2004 and received her LLB (Bachelor of Laws) from the University of Calgary in 2008. Jennifer currently practices law with the firm of Field LLP, with a practice focused primarily on corporate/commercial and securities laws. In this capacity, Jennifer advises public and private entities and individuals in respect of a variety of issues, including merger and acquisition transactions, corporate structuring and reorganizations, public and private financings, continuous disclosure obligations, corporate governance requirements, incentive compensation plans, stock exchange matters and other general securities and corporate/commercial law matters. Jennifer was introduced to CCASA in her capacity as the co-chair of the pro bono committee at her previous law firm and has worked with CCASA on various legal matters.
Barry Cochran
Board Member since 2017
Barry Cochran is a team oriented individual always seeking challenging opportunities. Barry has served on a variety of local boards as a Director and holds a number of certifications and accreditations. Barry’s past has also included a dynamic 26 years with the Calgary Police Service assigned to areas of covert operations, major crimes investigations and was a 15 year member of the crisis negotiator’s team where he retired from the rank of Staff Sergeant. He is currently the manager of Security and Emergency Services at SAIT where he is responsible for the safety and security of students, staff, facility and visitors. Providing leadership, managing change, consensus building with stake holders is a strength Barry has developed over time and has been a critical skill in implementing successful safety and security strategies at the post-secondary education level.
Danika Szucs
Board Member since 2018
Danika Szucs graduated from Ambrose University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioural Science. As an undergrad she gained experience and skills in leadership, advocacy and policy development as the Student Council President, and while sitting on the university’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Policy development committee. She now works with clients at the Ambrose University Library as the Circulation Manager. Danika joined CCASA’s board of directors in the spring of 2018 as a guest member through the G(irls)20 Girls on Boards Initiative, and has completed DiverCity onBoard training through Ryerson University.
