Our Team

Heather has proudly served as CEO since April 2019. She is responsible for providing overall leadership, direction and oversight, ensuring that Inn from the Cold fulfils its mission and exceeds community and stakeholder expectations.

Heather brings decades of experience and advocacy in the social services and homeless-serving sectors across Canada and in the United States. Prior to joining The INN, she held executive leadership roles at YW Calgary, Canadian Women’s Foundation, Discovery House Family Violence Prevention Society, and served on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Centre of Calgary.

Heather holds a MA in Counselling from the University of San Francisco. She has instructed at the University of Calgary and presented nationally and internationally at conferences focused on homelessness and domestic violence.

Known for her ability to create true impact and foster meaningful collaborations, Heather is committed to supporting our communities’ most vulnerable, and to raising awareness of homelessness and social injustices in our society. In 2022, Heather was awarded the QEII Platinum Jubilee Medal for her contributions to the sector.

Christine joined Inn from the Cold in September 2023. She is responsible for providing leadership to our Emergency and Transitional Shelter, our Supportive and Affordable Housing, and our Integrated Support Services programs.

Christine brings over 30 years of social work and non-profit management experience. She worked in senior leadership positions with Phoenix Youth Programs in Halifax and the YW Calgary, Sonshine Community Services and Inter-Faith Youth & Family Services in Calgary. Christine has bachelor’s degrees from Carleton University and the University of Calgary and is a Registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW).

Christine is passionate about social justice, anti-oppressive practice, collaborative relationships, and advancing people’s understanding of homelessness. She acknowledges her settler roots and that we are all Treaty people with a responsibility to take meaningful action for true reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Emma joined Inn from the Cold in December 2021. She is responsible for providing leadership to our Communications & Marketing, Indigenous Engagement and Data, Research & Evaluation teams.

With over 18 years of extensive experience spanning stakeholder engagement, communications, strategic counsel, and reputation management across both private and public sectors, Emma has demonstrated a consistent ability to lead innovative programs that facilitate collaboration, drive change, and enhance organizational success.

Emma is of Mi'kmaq and Scottish ancestry and was raised as a Settler on Vancouver Island. Although her family's Indigenous roots were lost with her grandparents’ and father’s passing, she is on an active journey to learn and reconnect with her cultural heritage.

A graduate of the University of Regina, Emma is deeply committed to community involvement, dedicating her time as a passionate volunteer with various local organizations including the Board of Directors for the Indigenous Gathering Place Society,

Jennifer joined Inn from the Cold in October 2020. She is responsible for providing leadership to our Fund Development, Meal Services and Volunteer Resources teams.

Jen brings over 26 years of business experience, with the last 12 years being in the charitable sector. Prior to joining The INN, she worked in senior leadership positions with Trinity Western University and the Calgary Dream Centre. Jen believes in the importance of philanthropy, and the impact that it has on the community and in particular, the families at Inn from the Cold.

Jen has a certificate in Leadership from Trinity Western University, and is known for her innovative ideas and the ability to reach fundraising goals, while developing positive stakeholder relationships. She is also committed to volunteering in the community,
and currently serves on the JCSMPA Board.

Mike joined Inn from the Cold in April 2023. He is responsible for providing leadership to our Finance, Facilities Operations, Health & Safety and Information Technology teams.

Mike brings more than 30 years of progressive experience in senior accounting roles, most recently as Finance Manager at Golden Hills School Division where he led a team in providing financial services to the division office and 40+ schools. From 2000 – 2011, Mike was Manager of Financial Services (Budgets & Reporting) at Bethany Care Society where he provided leadership and coordination of the organization’s $65M annual operating budget.

Mike completed his education at SAIT, the University of Lethbridge and Medicine Hat College and has been a CPA-CMA since 1995.