Board of Directors
Carrie Styczen – Chairperson
Carrie is a practicing lawyer and a partner at a mid-sized law firm in Calgary. She joined the Elements Board of Directors in February, 2021. Carrie looks forward to working with Elements and furthering the great work that has been done in the past, and that will be done in the future.
Tavia Nazarko – Vice-Chair
Tavia is a registered nurse and has worked in the mental health field for the past 22 years, supporting individuals in their wellness and recovery. In 2010, Tavia completed her Masters in Healthcare Leadership. Following the 2013 Southern Alberta Floods, she was a member of the team designated to support recovery within Calgary and surrounding area, focusing on recovery and preparedness initiatives in collaboration with several service providers and organizations. Tavia joined the Board of Directors of Elements in 2019. When not working, you’ll find Tavia spending time with loved ones and friends.
Linda Duff – Treasurer
Linda is a payroll/accounting clerk with over 13 years experience and is one of the newest members to join the Board of Directors at Elements in June, 2021. Linda wants to make a difference in her community and has volunteered her time to various non-profit organizations in many different capacities, mostly in the vulnerable sector. She is proud to be part of the Board at Elements.
Don Middleton – Secretary
Don has been with the Calgary Board of Education since 1993. During this time, he has worked in several schools as a classroom teacher and administrator. Currently, Don is a high school assistant principal and has recently completed his Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Trauma and Resiliency in Educational Settings. Don joined the Elements Board of Directors in 2020.
Richard Veldhoen – Director
Rich is a retired detective after working 24 years in law enforcement. During his career, Rich specialized in behavioural sciences, including the linkages between mental health and threat assessment, focusing on prevention and case management. Rich enjoys presenting and training various corporate and not for profit groups on strategic awareness of violence prevention and problematic workplace conduct. Rich managed several specialized teams and leads several Boards as part of his passion for community involvement and leadership. Rich joined the Board of Directors of Elements in 2020.
Hasith Andrahennadi – Director
Hasith is a personal injury lawyer. He joined the Board of Directors for Elements Calgary Mental Health Centre in 2023. Hasith is grateful for the opportunity to support mental health programs in his community.
Emmanuel Paty – Director
Emmanuel loves flourishing organizations and people! He promotes, designs, and supports healthy workplaces and positive change as an Organizational Development Consultant and Coach at City of Calgary.
Bilingual (native French/advanced English), dad of two, he recently relocated to Calgary with his family. Former semi-professional basketball player; nature and high-tech lover, also pebbleart fan. Graduate of an Executive MBA program, with a PhD in psychology, he held various leadership roles in which he collaborated with employees, teams and senior executives to stimulate positive and healthy workplaces and sustainable organizational effectiveness. He is a certified coach, an advanced practitioner in Appreciative Inquiry and also holds professional certificates in Positive Psychology.
Susan Morison – Director
Management
Anneisa Lauchlan – Executive Director
Anneisa has over 25 years of experience working in the mental health field. Her lifelong interest in mental health and her passion for improving the quality of life for people with a mental illness forms the cornerstone of her commitment to the work she does with the Centre. Over the years, she has devoted herself to work within the Centres’ direct service component and in promoting the goals of the Centre in the community. Anneisa has served as an Advisor to the Mental Health Commission of Canada and has also been very active on numerous committees and projects working in partnership with other Calgary service providers, funders and clients to increase awareness and reduce the stigma around mental illness in the Calgary community and throughout Canada.
Maria Ochitwa – Assistant Director
Maria has over 25 years of experience in the field of mental health, providing direct client service and in program management. She has also been active on various committees aimed at increasing awareness and accessibility to mental health services in the Calgary community. In addition to her work in mental health, Maria brings years of experience from the non-profit sector in the areas of logistics, marketing and communications, promotions, and fundraising.
Franka Poitevin – Program Director
Franka Poitevin is a Registered Social Worker with 33 years of experience in the Social Work field. She has spent the last 25 years of her career in mental health and has a strong commitment to enhancing the lives of those afflicted with mental illness. Prior to her position as Program Director, Franka provided direct client service on the Support & Recreation Services team at Elements Calgary Mental Health Centre.