Board of Directors
Gerry Cruz
President
Gerry is the father of a teenage heart child named Gabriel. Gerry and his wife, Estela, have been involved with the CHS since Gabriel was diagnosed with VSD, ASD and PDA.
Gerry first sat on the CHS Board of Directors in the mid 2000's. He returned to the board in 2017 to share his knowledge and experience.
Gerry and Estela have two children and spends his spare time making memories with his wife and kids.
Dariel Maclean
Vice President and Co-Director of In Hospital Events
Dariel is a mother of four, including her 5 year old Heart Warrior Teddy. In addition to her work with the CHS, Dariel is involved with the Stollery Children's Hospital.
Dariel joined the CHS Board in 2019, as Director of In Hospital Events. In 2021, she took on the role of Vice-President, but is still committed to her in hospital work. Dariel uses her valuable experience as a recent (and ongoing) Stollery Mom to improve the programs that CHS offers in hospital. Her knowledge and experience has helped rejuvenate the CHS' in hospital involvement.
Barbara Maclean
Treasurer
Barbara and her husband Robert are Grandparents to 11 beautiful Grandchildren. Teddy, her 5 year old Grandson has been a CHD Warrior since birth.
Barbara joined the CHS Board, as Treasurer, in 2021. She holds an MBA and is eager to bring her experience to the Board.
Sandra Bradford
Secretary
Jennifer Winter
Director, Membership Chair
Jennifer lives on a cattle farm north of Grand Prairie. She and her husband have raised five children. Her youngest child was born with severe tricuspid valve dysplasia. To date, he is the only child known to have survived with this rare and complex condition.
Jennifer works as a part-time church secretary, homeschools her youngest son, and is an active patient-family advisor with Alberta Health Services.
In 2019, Jennifer joined the Board to become more familiar and help out with many of our CHS events. In 2021, she became Membership Chair and looks forward to developing deeper relationships with CHS families.
Zoya Haq
Co-Director of Out of Hospital Events
Zoya is an early learning and childhood educator by profession and is currently finishing a degree in psychology. She enjoys working closely with children and their families.
Before joining the CHS board of directors Zoya volunteered with the Stollery Children's Hospital. In 2020, Zoya joined the CHS Board of Directors as a Director-at-Large. In 2021, she took on more responsibility by stepping into the role of Co-Director of Out of Hospital Events. She enjoys planning and organizing activities and looks forward to seeing the positive impact CHS programming will have on the mental and physical wellbeing of CHS families.
Kaylee Row
Co-Director of In Hospital Events and Out of Hospital Events
Having been born with a heart condition (tetralogy of fallot), Kaylee has been a member of the CHS for most of her life. To date, she has had 5 open heart surgeries and is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Arts degree at MacEwan University.
Kaylee joined the CHS Board of Directors as a Junior Board member in 2018 and became a full Board member in 2020. In 2021, Kaylee became Co-Director of both In Hospital and Out of Hospital Events. She looks forward to using the knowledge she has gained during her time in the Stollery to help CHS families.
Andrea Luft-Kerr
Director, Social Media Chair
Andrea has been on the CHS Board since December 2013; however, she and her family have been members of the Children's Heart Society since she was born and diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot.
On the CHS Board, Andrea has held many roles, including Secretary (2014), Director-at-Large (2015), President (2016 - 2018), Vice President (2019 - 2020), and Director of Out of Hospital Events (2018 - 2020). Andrea is now in the role of Social Media Chair.
Outside of the CHS, Andrea is a litigation lawyer in Edmonton. In her spare time she loves to travel and spend time with her husband (Cameron), son (Bennett), and German Shepherd (Sadie).
The CHS Board at Live with Heart 2018
Left to right: Gerry Cruz, Estela Cruz, Josemar Owergoor, Anelise Owergoor, Andrea Luft-Kerr, and Cameron Kerr