THE BOARD
KATE BUCZULAK
President
How long have you been on the board? I’ve been on the board since August 2016.
What made you want to become involved with the Hub?
At the time in 2016 I simply wanted to give back more to my community and the opportunity to become a board member arose. Since having my son in 2018, I have made going to the Hub part of our weekly routine. Seeing firsthand how beneficial the programs offered at the Hub are makes me proud to be a board member.
How long have you resided in Fort McMurray and can you tell me your favourite thing about the community:
I moved here in 2008. I love how secluded our community is. It brings us together and fosters that neighbourly mind-set that creates tight knit community.
When not volunteering your time, what can we find you doing?
Right now I am busy raising our my son Grayson. I spend most of my time between volunteering at the Hub and attending the Hub programming with him. We enjoy venturing out on the trails together as a family.
What is your aspiration for the Hub and our community?
My hope is that all mothers/fathers/caregivers to experience the Hub as I have. While attending Moms Matter, I have met some incredible women, who I now consider family. Our community needs the Hub as much as the Hub needs the community.
JADENE SPITZER
Vice President
How long have you been on the board and what unique skill set do you bring?
I have been on the board since October 2019.
What made you want to become involved with the Hub?
I enjoyed going to The Hub with my girls when they were younger so I experienced first-hand how important it is for young families to have this resource. My goal was always to give back to this organization because I believe it is an important piece of our community.
How long have you resided in Fort McMurray and can you tell me your favourite thing about the community:
I have called Fort McMurray home since 2005 and my favourite thing about Fort McMurray is its people. I believe Fort McMurray is the most welcoming community. Maybe it’s because many people are from somewhere else and everyone remembers what it was like to be the ‘new’ person or maybe it is because most people don’t have family here. Whatever the reason, friends here truly become family and friendships seem to last a lifetime
When not volunteering your time, what can we find you doing?
Working as a sales associate for RE/MAX Fort McMurray or hanging out with my husband and two girls.
What is your aspiration for the Hub and our community?
To continue to build and expand on the great services and programs already offered by The Hub and to make The Hub the service provider of choice for child and family resources in RMWB.
AMANDA STUART
Treasurer
How long have you been on the board and what unique skill set do you bring?
I've been on the board since Dec 2019. My background is in Finance Management and Real Estate Lending.
What made you want to become involved with the Hub?
I have a passion for volunteering and giving back to the community; when my son was younger we regularly visited The Hub and enjoyed all the programs I want to be part of sharing this with other families in our community.
How long have you resided in Fort McMurray and can you tell me your favourite thing about the community:
I have been in Fort McMurray since 2006; I love the passion of the community and the resiliency of its members over the past 10 years the citizens of Fort McMurray have been through so many life changing events; but the core values of the community allow it to recover and become stronger together.
When not volunteering your time, what can we find you doing?
Traveling, cooking, taking care of family we have two young boys that keep us busy with swimming and hockey.
What is your aspiration for the Hub and our community?
I hope for the continued success; I will work towards helping the Hub adapt to changes in business and technology. I want to see the Hub reach and benefit as many people in our community as possible.
CAILEIGH RHIND
Secretary
How long have you been on the board and what unique skill set do you bring? I have been on the board since October 2021. My background is in public relations; I bring strong strategic communication skills to the board.
What made you want to become involved with the Hub?
I have been a supporter of The Hub since the birth of my first child in 2018. I started building “my village” by attending Moms Matter with my four week old son. To this day, some of my closest friends are women I met in that program. I want to ensure other parents have the same safe space I did as they explore the adventure that is parenthood.
How long have you resided in Fort McMurray and can you tell me your favourite thing about the community. I have lived in Fort McMurray since January 2017. My favourite thing about Fort McMurray is its sense of community.
When not volunteering your time, what can we find you doing? You'll find me running after my little munchkins, Oliver and Sophie, walking Murphy the dog, or staying up way too late reading a good book.
What is your aspiration for the Hub and our community?
My hope is that the Hub continues to be a go-to place for families in our community.
RHONDA BLANCHETTE
Board Member
How long have you been on the board and what unique skill set do you bring?
I have been on the board since September 2021. I am a teacher and a life-long learner
What made you want to become involved with the Hub?
Being an educator with many years of experience, I value the benefits that the Hub offers to families in our community. Through my work in the school system, I support early learning as well as children with diverse needs. Over the last several years, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Hub in supporting our children and their families. As my own children are now grown up, I was looking for an opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community. Joining the board of the HUB was a great fit.
How long have you resided in Fort McMurray and can you tell me your favourite thing about the community.
I have now made Fort McMurray my home for more than 30 years. What I appreciate most about the community is the relationships and the people that I have encountered along the way. Fort McMurray is filled with people that are mostly from other places, yet work collectively and generously to achieve many things. This has given us the opportunity to develop connections with a diverse group of people that have been colleagues and neighbours, as well as life-long friends.
When not volunteering your time, what can we find you doing?
Work keeps me busy as well as my family. We enjoy travelling, camping, golfing, cooking, and spending time with friends and our extended family. I’m always up for a board game or a great book.
What is your aspiration for the Hub and our community?
My hope is that the Hub has longevity within our community. I would love to see families continue to utilize the wonderful programming that is available, and take the opportunity to meet others and create connections which keeps our beautiful community strong and resilient.
DENNIS BANKS
Board Member
How long have you been on the board and what unique skill set do you bring?
I was blessed to join the board in 2024 having moved back to Fort McMurray in the Fall of 2023. I am a Chemical Engineer and have worked in Oil and Gas my entire carrer. With almost 30 years of experience within industry, many of those years in leadership roles I felt that I would be able to bring a unique perspective to the organization. I am a father, husband and quite passionate about the health of our community and I know I can support the goals and initiatives of the Hub and foster collaboration and critical thinking.
What made you want to become involved with the Hub?
Caring for a family and raising strong resilient children is not easy task. Having access to resources and being able to rely on them for support is so very important and The Hub fills a vital niche in the RMWB and I know many benefit from the services and I felt compelled to be a part of the success of a group doing such fantastic work. When living in the states, my wife had access to similar resource groups and found tremendous benefit and so did our young family at the time.
How long have you resided in Fort McMurray and can you tell me your favourite thing about the community?
I am on my second stint in Fort McMurray with a sum total of about 7 years of residency here. We have lived in Edmonton and Calgary but really consider Fort McMurray something truly special. It is hard to find a stranger in our community which I rather like. Live here long enough and you see or meet just about every resident either at the Mall, Mac Island, Hockey Rink or grocery store. We have something special and, while hard to put into words, I can say it's impossible to replicate anywhere else.
When not volunteering your time, what can we find you doing?
Believe it or not one can find me enjoying hot yoga or online in a Peloton class when I have free time and I quite enjoy both activities now that I don't power lift at Gym Nation as much. With the children all out of the house it is easy to get away to enjoy more of what the community has to offer like Giants Baseball, Oil Barons Hockey, Huskies Basketball or the Keyano Theatre, there is something here for everyone.
What is your aspiration for the Hub and our community?
I know The Hub has been such a blessing to so many and I only want for the organization to continue to meet the ever present and evolving needs of our diverse community.
OLIVIA BEST
Board Member
How long have you been on the board and what unique skill set do you bring?
I joined the board in September of 2022. I bring with me a network of individuals that I’ve worked closely with throughout Fort McMurray, a background in youth mentoring, and various volunteer experiences.
What made you want to become involved with the Hub?
I am enthusiastic about volunteering in our community and I am always looking for ways to increase my community involvement. Working with the Hub allows me to see the impact that the organization has on families, and it gives me a sense of accomplishment and joy to know that I am able to make an impact in the community.
How long have you resided in Fort McMurray and can you tell me your favourite thing about the community:
I’ve lived in Fort McMurray for 7 years. I admire that Fort McMurray has a strong sense of community and provides many unique opportunities for those here in the region.
When not volunteering your time, what can we find you doing?
Travelling, spending time with friends and family, or exploring with my dog Chase!
What is your aspiration for the Hub and our community.
My hope is that the Hub continues to grow and expand their services, and that it becomes the center of choice for families and children for years to come.
JOIN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Hub Family Resource Centre is looking for passionate, engaged, community members looking to make a difference with families in our region through board governance.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Hub Family Resource Centre works to strengthen the well-being and resiliency of parents, caregivers, children and families in Wood Buffalo.
VISION STATEMENT
“Healthy children, healthy families, healthy communities.”