The Northwestern Polytechnic Foundation Board of Directors
The Northwestern Polytechnic Foundation is a community-based organization that represents donors, volunteers, supporters and alumni of our institution. It is led by a Board of Directors that meets throughout the year to maintain and protect the Foundation’s assets and property.
Our Impact
Generous contributions and gifts from our donors make it possible for us to provide a variety of scholarships, awards, and bursaries. Every year, our Foundation directs approximately $500,000 in scholarships, awards and bursaries to our students. We are also actively involved in recognizing the contributions and achievements of our valued supporters and alumni.
Meet our Current Board of Directors
We are fortunate to have a number of talented individuals who share their time and energy to advance post-secondary education in our region.
Chair
Lorne Radbourne is a born and raised Grande Prairian who chose to stay in the city and marry, raise his family and pursue his work career goals. He is proud of Grande Prairie and the Peace Region and our potential as a growing, vibrant and resourceful community.
Following high school, Lorne enrolled at Northwestern Polytechnic with the goal of becoming a teacher. At that time NWP was a one-year learning institution, so he completed his Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta. He also completed his Diploma and Masters of Educational Administration at the UofA a number of years later.
Lorne spent his entire 35-year career as an educator with the Grande Prairie Public School District, in various roles including teacher, school administrator and district administrator. Lorne served as Superintendent of Schools for the GPPSD for 11 years, and is described as an effective and accomplished educator and leader.
Following his retirement as an educator, Lorne moved on to his second career as a dedicated and influential Grande Prairie City Councillor. He was very popular during the three terms he served on Council, noted especially for asking the right questions, understanding community issues, listening with an open mind, building relationships, doing his homework, and being fiscally responsible.
Lorne’s service to community extends to his current volunteer involvements as a member of the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie, Board member of the GPPSD Education Foundation, Board member of the Hockey Alberta Foundation and as a Trustee of St. Paul’s United Church.
Lorne is both excited and pleased to continue his service to community as a public member of the NWP Board of Governors.
Vice Chair
Brent grew up in Beaverlodge and attended primary and secondary school in Beaverlodge and Hythe, giving him long established roots within the communities of the west county. Following high school graduation, he attended Northwestern Polytechnic for two years in the University Transfer program. Brent went on to obtain a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta, a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Calgary and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 2003.
Brent is a lawyer at Carter Lock & Horrigan, practising primarily corporate and commercial law, advising clients on all aspects of business transactions including mergers and acquisitions, dispositions and reorganizations. He has extensive experience advising on corporate agreements pertaining to the development and ongoing operation of a business. Prior to returning to Grande Prairie in 2015, Brent practiced law in Calgary for 10 years in the areas of securities and corporate finance. He completed his articles with a top tier national law firm and then went on to practice as an associate with a securities boutique and as a partner with a full-service business law firm. Brent has represented both publicly listed corporations and small to mid-sized companies, providing counsel on such matters as private placements, initial public offerings, securities regulation, corporate governance, and general corporate and commercial law.
Brent places a high value on education and understands the importance of NWP to the region. He is excited to be a part of the Institution as it transitions to a degree-granting institution.
Secretary/Treasurer
Bio to come
Director
Shawna Miller is an entrepreneur and business‐woman with two decades of experience. As head of a family-based business, Shawna owns and operates Subway Restaurants across Northwestern Alberta, an oilfield service company, and a property investment company.
Shawna began her education at Northwestern Polytechnic before transferring to the University of Alberta to complete her degree in Economics. Upon graduation, Shawna returned to her home community of Grande Prairie to pursue her dream of becoming an entrepreneur.
Shawna is a strong community supporter and has volunteered her time on many not‐for‐profit boards including those of the Grande Prairie United Way, Tiny Hands of Hope, Business Link and Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation. She served on the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors for eight years, including five years on the Executive Committee and two years as Chair. Shawna served as the Board Chair of The Alberta Chamber of Commerce and as a Director on the Canadian Chamber Board.
In recognition of her many accomplishments, she has received the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce 2017 Above and Beyond Award and NWP 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Director
DEGREES & CREDENTIALS
- PhD (Nursing); Victoria/2021
- MN (Using Technology to Engage the Millennial Nursing Student); Victoria/2015
- BScN; Alberta/2006
- RN
BACKGROUND
Dr. Vanessa Sheane stands as a distinguished leader in academia and healthcare, embodying the essence of commitment and community stewardship. With roots deeply entrenched in the Peace Region, Dr. Sheane's journey reflects her profound connection to the land and people of Fairview, where she was nurtured, and Grande Prairie, where she proudly calls home.
Currently serving as the esteemed President and CEO of Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP), Dr. Sheane spearheads transformative initiatives aimed at positioning NWP as a beacon of educational excellence and responsiveness to the evolving needs of industry and society. Her unwavering dedication to advancing education and empowering communities is evident in every facet of her leadership.
Dr. Sheane's academic trajectory is characterized by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a commitment to effecting positive change. Her attainment of a Ph.D. in nursing from the prestigious University of Victoria in 2021 underscores her deep understanding of institutional systems, organizational structures, and the unique challenges facing postsecondary and nursing education. Through her scholarly contributions, encapsulated in various publications, she illuminates critical insights that inform policy, practice, and pedagogy in these domains.
With over a decade of exemplary service at NWP, Dr. Sheane has demonstrated outstanding leadership, holding pivotal executive and teaching positions. As a Registered Nurse and esteemed member of the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta, she infuses her academic endeavors with practical expertise and a profound passion for nurturing quality post-secondary experiences.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Dr. Sheane is a fervent advocate for community engagement and capacity-building. Recognizing the symbiotic relationship between education and community well-being, she actively fosters collaborations and partnerships that enrich the social fabric and economic vitality of the Peace Region.
In every aspect of her remarkable career, Dr. Vanessa Sheane exemplifies excellence, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to the betterment of individuals and communities alike. Her visionary leadership, coupled with her profound empathy and unwavering dedication, continues to inspire and elevate all those fortunate enough to cross paths with her.
SCHOLARLY & PROFESSIONAL INTEREST
- Institutional theory and undergraduate nursing education
- Engaging learners
- Using technology in the classroom
- Curriculum development
- Academic leadership
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Issues and challenges facing postsecondary education
- Issues and challenges facing undergraduate nursing education in Alberta
- Academic Leadership in Nursing Education
- Patient Oriented Research (POR)
- Engaging Millennial Learners in Nursing Education
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
- Frisch, N., Atherton, P., Macleaod, M., Doyle-Waters, M., Ward, J., Sheane, V., Woodley, J., & Mallidou, A. (Sept. 2018). Competencies needed for patient involvement in patient-oriented research: report of a scoping review of the literature. Oral presentation presented at the Cochrane Colloquium, Edinburgh, UK.
- Sheane, V. (May, 2018). Exploring institutional theory and nursing education research: a work in progress. Oral presentation presented at the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing Conference, Montreal, Quebec.
- Sheane, V. & VanTassell, T. (May 2016). Reflection IN Action through High Fidelity Simulation. Poster session presented at the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing Conference, Toronto, Ontario.
- Sheane, V. (April 2015). Using Technology to Engage the Millennial Nursing Student. Oral session presented at the Scholarship and Faculty Development Conference, Edmonton, Alberta.
- Sheane, V. (May, 2014). Rural Connections through Education. Poster session presented at the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing Conference, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- Elliott, S., MacIntyre, D., Rawluk, L., & Sheane, V, (February, 2013). Urban to Rural: The Road Less Travelled. Oral session presented at the Western Region Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing Conference, Edmonton, Alberta.
PROFESSIONAL & ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS
- College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta: Member in good standing
Contact Us
For more information about the Foundation, please contact:
Alumni | |
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Office: E213 Phone: 780-539-2921 Email: alumni@nwpolytech.ca Web: Visit Homepage |