Board of Directors

Great leadership inspires. Our volunteer Board of Directors provide Sonshine with leadership that inspires a commitment to integrity, quality, and compassion.

Sandy A. Vander Ziel – Chair

Sandy Alison Vander Ziel graduated from the University of Alberta with her Bachelor of Arts, majoring in History. Sandy then attended the University of Calgary Faculty of Law where she received her Bachelor of Laws in 2000. Sandy practices Family Law in the litigation department of Davis LLP and is a registered Family Law mediator and a Collaborative Family Law Lawyer. Her practice focuses on alternative dispute resolution so as to develop healthy parenting relationships that focus on the interests of the children. Sandy has had extensive experience with files involving domestic violence and has a true passion for working with organizations that are committed to educating the public and assisting families in need of accommodations. Sandy is actively involved in the legal community and the community at large and is the President of the Board of Directors for the Calgary Youth Justice Society. In her spare time, Sandy is an avid Stampeders fan and loves time in the mountains with her husband with her Husband and their daughter Ilianna.

Angela Gosselin - Treasurer

Angela received her Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting from the University of Calgary in 2003, her Masters in Professional Accounting from the University of Saskatchewan in 2004, and her Chartered Accountant designation in 2005. She was formerly the Controller of a leading investment firm, and is currently working for a Calgary-based technology company. Before joining the Board of Sonshine Community Services, Angela served as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Society for the Investigation of Child Abuse for five years.

Donna Graham - Secretary

Donna is a registered nurse currently employed by Alberta Health Services at Rockyview General Hospital. Her main focus is in acute care in the surgical setting. She has worked on many nursing committees and has a special interest in mentoring student nurses and new staff members. She was also employed by S.A.I.T. for five years as a Clinical Liaison teaching EMT students and contributing to program development. She is married and has two married daughters.

Richard (Dick) Feasel

Richard Feasel received a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Alberta in 1958. His work experience includes financial accounting and corporate tax preparation in the Oil industry for 34 years. He retired from Home Oil and worked on contracts for five more years in the oil industry. Richard has extensive volunteer experience, serving as a vestry member and treasurer for over 15 years for St. Gabriel’s Anglican Church and as the coordinator for a seniors group for 8 years.

Heidi DeJong

Heidi DeJong has been involved in ministry in a variety of capacities. She was a youth pastor, an elder, an actor, and worship leader just to name a few. She currently works in sales and human resources, is a mother of 3 ambitious children and volunteers her time for various sporting teams that her children participate in. Heidi played an instrumental role in the development of the Hope Gala from 2007 – 2010 and is looking forward to its continued success. She has been a volunteer at Sonshine Community Services for approximately 3 years and is committed to the vision of making a difference in the lives of abused women and children.

Jeff Swart

Jeff Swart is a husband and father of two teenagers. He is a director and project manager with Wiebe Forest Engineering (a division of SNC Lavalin). Jeff's expertise is in building mechanical systems and a few of his recent projects are the Heritage Park Expansion, the Athletic and Ice Complex at COP and the Genesis Center (NECC). Jeff's work in the community is equally important to him; he coaches community hockey and serves at the Mustard Seed. When he does have spare time, he likes to spend it outside mountain biking, hiking and downhill skiing.