Chris Edwards – President & Heritage Watch

I arrived in Calgary in 1990, and after some years living in the suburbs, in late 2003 I moved to the inner-city and began noticing not only Calgary’s historic buildings but also discovered all those which had been lost.  I set up the calgaryheritage.org website in 2004, and joined the Beltline community’s heritage committee.  In the fall of 2005 the 5 member committee left the Beltline and formed the Calgary Heritage Initiative, gaining provincial society status the next year.  Since then I have chaired the Heritage Watch committee which monitors risks to Calgary’s heritage, as well as taking the role of Vice President from 2017-2020.

Rae Reed – Secretary

Madison Kitts-Gaston - Director, Membership Engagement

History has been my longtime passion. I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in History and am currently working on a graduate degree in Historic Preservation. Built history is my main area of interest. I love learning about old buildings and how they were made. And, as an owner of a century home, I am eager to learn more about the preservation and protection of these assets in Calgary. Currently I work as an office manager for a general contractor and part time in sales for Heritage Park Historical Village.

Rick Williams – Director at Large

I have been on the Calgary Heritage Initiative Board for over twelve years and acted as President from 2017-2020. I had always loved the old neighborhoods my family lived in over the years but my active interest in heritage preservation and advocacy began after living in Europe for several years and returning to Calgary to live in the historic inner city community of Cliff Bungalow-Mission. I have a special interest in heritage preservation as it relates to urban planning and historic districts, and have been involved with a number of planning organizations and boards. My university training was in environmental biology and my most recent career is in exploration geophysics.

Lindae Stokes – Director, Advocacy

Seeing how fast built heritage in Calgary is disappearing motivated me to get involved with heritage advocacy and awareness. I volunteered for the Century Homes Calgary in 2012 and continue to serve as as a board member with the Calgary Heritage Initiative.

Olivia Breytenbach - Director, Social Media (Instagram)

I began volunteering with CHI in February 2019 and joined the Board of Directors some months later. My background is in architecture and historic preservation, and I am currently a student in the University of Calgary's Master of Architecture program. As Director-at-Large, I enjoy running CHI's Instagram account and helping out with communications and events. Calgary is a vibrant city, and our historic spaces add immeasurable value to the lives of its citizens and visitors alike. I am proud of the work our organization does to advocate for Calgary's young history, and truly believe that progress and saving our heritage places do not have to be at odds with one another.

Steve Gilks – Director at Large

I am one of few people that can boast about having been born and raised here in Calgary. It was only just recently that I moved my family out to the suburbs. From a young age I found myself intrigued by old buildings and places. Now with my career in Masonry and Restoration, I am able to appreciate them in a whole new way. I joined CHI at the end of 2020 and then the board as a Director soon there after. I look forward to what the future will bring, in preserving the past.

Sarah Frolick – Director Social Media

I have volunteered with the Calgary Heritage Initiative Society/ Heritage Inspires YYC since November 2020 as a social media administrator.  I became increasingly aware of the loss of heritage buildings after moving to the inner city and wanted to help raise awareness. I believe that heritage buildings have an important story to tell and are integral to understanding our City’s past! - They also make for great bars and boutiques! Sarah was born and raised in Calgary and has a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Calgary.

Sarah Ebbern – Director (Research)

Bio coming soon

VACANT– Director, Treasurer

VACANT – Director, Communications

VACANT – Director, Events

Vacant - Vice President

Vacant - Director, Policy