Bob joined the Board of Directors in 2006, while working as the Regional Vice President for Calgary with CGI Information Systems and Management Consultants. He has a Bachelor of Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada and an MBA from Queen’s University. Bob is pleased that he has been able to leverage his experience from his time in the Canadian Air Force and as a business leader to help the Friends to grow and enhance the programs it offers and the work that it performs within the park. Bob has chaired several committees including, Governance, Finance and Fundraising and has served as Secretary. He was appointed as the Board Chair in 2017.
David Mitchell Vice Chair
David is a retired City of Calgary employee who has worked in a variety of city departments during his thirty-five years with the city. His most recent job at the city was Manager of Telecommunications and Information at the Fire Department. David began his retirement in a consulting role, which soon developed into a volunteer role. His passion for wildlife attracted him to the Friends’ Birding Course, and he was soon helping to lead these popular courses as demand grew each year. He coordinates the Birding courses, which involves registration, leader coordination, and of course bird identification. David has sat on the Board since 2017.
Kari Horn Secretary
Kari is a Vice-Chair at the Alberta Securities Commission, where she was previously General Counsel for a number of years. Before joining the ASC, Kari practiced corporate and securities law at a large national law firm. Kari has degrees in business and law from Bishop’s University and the University of Victoria, respectively. She joined the Friends’ board in January 2017 and has served as Secretary since January 2019. Kari has volunteered as a board member of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association and both the Calgary and Alberta Highland Dancing Associations. Kari, her husband Rob, and their two daughters were born and raised in Calgary and have spent many hours enjoying all that the park has to offer.
Ruža Obad Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee
Neil Groeneveld Director at Large and Chair of Operational Excellence and Strategic Oversight Committee
Neil is a retired geosciences professional having spent the majority of his career working in the oil and gas industry in western Canada. He worked at Gulf Canada, Petrovera Resources and ARC Resources where he obtained the position of Vice-President Geosciences and Land. Neil holds an M.Sc. degree in Geology, and is experienced in corporate governance, fiscal reporting and strategic planning. Neil currently holds the Chair position for the Operational Excellence and Strategic Oversight Committee with the Friends of Fish Creek and also serves on the Finance Committee. Neil enjoys an active lifestyle through sports, community volunteering, travel, and summers at the cottage.
Ken Heywood Director at Large and Chair for the Governance and HR Committee
Ken is a retired lawyer/General Counsel, who spent nearly 35 years in various legal roles beginning in private practice, but primarily with several major oil and gas companies, all in downtown Calgary. His work encompassed land, exploration, joint ventures, environmental, facilities, downstream, and marketing. He obtained his Law Degree from Queen’s University. Ken commuted by bike along the Bow River from the Fish Creek area to his downtown office for over 30 years. He has enjoyed the many attributes of this park, whether on his bike, inline skating, fly fishing, rafting, or hiking with his wife Heather, and several grandchildren. Ken joined the Friends board in late 2023 in the governance role.
Christina Steed Director at Large
Christina is a volunteer addict who loves to get out into the community. She has been active in her children’s schools for many years, sat on parent councils and volunteered to teach fitness classes at the YMCA for over 20 years – and counting. Christina holds a double major BA in History and Political Science from the University of Calgary and worked for the Legislative Assembly and Government of Alberta for almost 15 years. Christina currently is the Corporate Secretary and Chief of Staff for Tourism Calgary. She also holds a Max Bell Foundation Public Policy Certificate in recognition of her experience helping to develop policies that improve non-profits. While her hobbies include reading, hiking and binging on the latest shows. Her happy place is being outside, right here in Fish Creek Provincial Park.
Pam Nemeth Director at Large
Pam is a Human Resources professional and has worked for over twenty-five years supporting operations and projects in the energy, mining, engineering and construction sectors, across Canada and various locations globally. Pam attained her BSc degree in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Calgary, and MA in counselling psychology from Yorkville University. Pam continues to enjoy supporting nonprofit and charity organizations in Calgary with their human resources, communications, and fund development strategies and activities. She joined the Friends’ board in May 2025, and is looking forward to volunteering and helping the team maintain the wonderful park life throughout the seasons.
David Thompson Director at Large
A resident of Fish Creek Provincial Park for over 50 years, David has witnessed firsthand the remarkable changes and enduring beauty of this cherished natural landscape. His journey began far from here, on the streets of East Belfast during the Troubles. Growing up amid sectarian conflict, his lived experience as a witness to acts of violence profoundly shaped his perspectives on community, resilience, and healing—values he carries with him into the natural world. Over the past 30 years, he has provided leadership and oversight in a variety of roles and positions with two local hockey organizations; the Calgary Buffaloes Hockey Association and the Bow Valley Hockey Association. Through volunteerism, allyship and advocacy, he strives to inspire others to connect!
Roy McKnight Director at Large
Roy is an environmental, health and safety leader who works with others to help develop, implement and maintain healthy and safe workplaces and protect the environment. He has served on a number of boards include the CSA Standards Development Committee and with Energy Safety Canada. Roy is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), an Environmental Professional (EP) and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (CFIOSH). He holds a Masters of Science in Health and Safety Management from University of Leicester. Roy and his family live in south Calgary and visit Fish Creek Provincial Park almost every week of the year.
