About
Everything you want to know about the Avalanche Canada Foundation
The Avalanche Canada Foundation is a federally registered charity (#86900 0349 RR0001) that supports the work of Avalanche Canada and research projects supporting public avalanche safety in Canada.
Through donations, sponsorships, and fundraising events, the Avalanche Canada Foundation is united with its supporters by a single, simple passion — to ensure the tragedy of avalanches doesn't touch another family again.
Vision
To eliminate avalanche fatalities and injuries
To minimize public risk in avalanche terrain by raising funds to support public avalanche safety initiatives and related research.
Mission
Board of Directors
Fabian Karg
President
Fabian is based in Vancouver, BC, where he divides his time between working as Treasury and Corporate Finance Manager at Methanex and discovering the BC and AB backcountry with family and friends on foot or skis. Fabian holds a M.Sc. in Economics and Finance and is a CFA Charterholder. Originally from the Bavarian Alps, Fabian has been involved in various initiatives to promote safe travel in the backcountry through the Freeride Youth Workshop Tour, in cooperation with Rossignol, and the Freeride World Tour.
Keenan Cannady
Vice-President
Keenan is a consultant to the Oil and Gas industry and has participated in the start up, and sale, of several public companies over the past 25 years. In addition to his work, he has devoted much of his personal time to non-profit, charitable organizations. Keenan is a keen skier, a devoted cyclist and enjoys climbing in the mountains.
Jeff Storck
Executive Director
Jeff is a community-focused, not-for-profit leader with over 20 years of experience in the charity and outdoor industry. With a variety of experience working for the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and as a municipal councillor for Kananaskis Country, Jeff combines his knowledge in the not-for-profit sector with his passion for the outdoors. A graduate of the Adventure Guide program from Thompson Rivers University, Jeff is a certified ACMG guide and an avid mountain athlete. Jeff lives in Calgary with his wife and two energetic young boys and spends his time in the mountains backcountry skiing, rock climbing, biking, and trail running.
Matt Harmsworth
Director
Matt lives in Calgary, AB where he leads the financial accounting and advisory services practice in Western Canada for Ernst & Young. Matt holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Australia’s Monash University and is a chartered accountant with over 11 years of experience providing finance consulting services to large organizations around the world. Matt is an avid backcountry skier, mountain biker, and hiker who can be found spending every spare moment exploring mountains near and far.
Serin Remedios
Secretary
Serin lives in Vancouver, BC where she practices environmental and Indigenous law at Miller Titerle + Company. She previously worked in Toronto, Ontario at a leading environmental law firm, and moved to Vancouver to be closer to family and the mountains. When she is not working, Serin loves exploring the backcountry of BC by foot, bike, kayak, and skis.
Jon Germain
Director
Jon lives in Edmonton, where he works as a portfolio manager for Richardson Wealth. Jon holds a bachelor of commerce degree in finance and an MBA from the University of Alberta. His master's thesis was focused primarily on environmentally conscious investing for the future. He also holds his Chartered Investment Manager designation. Jon is an avid alpine, backcountry, and Nordic skier, and continues to enjoy experiencing new cultures and remote areas of the world.
Ted Hincks
Director
Ted became involved with the ACF as a result of a tragic avalanche accident that killed his parents in Austria on January 22, 2005. He, along with his brother and sister, established the Hugh & Helen Hincks Memorial Fund in their parents' honour to further public avalanche safety initiatives, research, and education. Ted holds a B.Eng in environmental engineering from Carleton University and an MBA from Queen’s University.
Quinn Ingham
Director
Quinn has over a decade of marketing experience on behalf of clients, agencies and media sides. He’s worked in North America and Europe, which has allowed him to tap into insights locally and globally with vast experience in luxury, telco, and consumer retail categories. While working in Amsterdam, he led the Absolut Vodka brand globally, launching new products and evolving the brand. In North America he has worked with brands such as MEC, Goldman Sachs, Sotheby’s International Realty, (RED), TELUS, and Tourism BC.
Darrell Peterson
Director
Darrell is a partner in the capital markets and private equity groups at Bennett Jones LLP in Calgary, focused primarily on corporate finance and mergers & acquisitions. Darrell holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in biotechnology from the University of Alberta and a JD from Queen's University. He also holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and has served on the board of directors of a number of private and public entities. In real life, Darrell enjoys tramping through the backcountry on skis, foot and anything else that will get him away from the mundane.
Lyndon Neville
Treasurer/Secretary
Lyndon lives in Revelstoke, BC. He is a senior manager in PwC’s Sustainability and Climate Change Reporting & Assurance practice. He is a Chartered Accountant, with more than a decade’s experience working in Australia and Canada. He helps organizations with their sustainability strategy and reporting programs, as well as various sustainability and finance transformation initiatives. Lyndon initially moved to Revy for the ski touring, but has since fallen in love with the town, its people, the surrounding nature, and climbing.
Gilles Valade
Director
Gilles is the Executive Director of Avalanche Canada. Gilles spent 15 years at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops as chair and senior lecturer in the Adventure Studies Department. Gilles was also a partner in a risk management and insurance consulting firm and is involved in risk management and insurance consulting projects. Prior to joining TRU, Gilles held positions in economic development, co-owned an insurance brokerage firm, and was a commercial insurance underwriter with major insurance companies.
William Jackson
Director
William Jackson is an accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience in the fields of technology and business operations. He holds a Bachelors of Applied Science in Electronic Systems Engineering from the University of Regina, and an MBA from Simon Fraser University, and has consistently demonstrated expertise in strategic management of technology. He is an active advocate for public safety, and serves as Vice President of the Avalanche Canada Board. He is committed to maintaining the organization's relevance with existing users, educating future generations, and expanding outreach to new audiences.
Kevin Williams
Director
A passionate backcountry skier and ski mountaineer, Kevin has been involved in avalanche science, rescue, and education since the early 1980s. As a member of the Canadian Ski Patrol System, he patrolled and was involved in avalanche work at Lake Louise, Fernie, and Whistler and was instrumental in the early development of the Avalanche Skills Training (AST) education program. Kevin holds a B.Eng and M.Sc (Geophysics) from McGill University and was a PhD candidate in avalanche research at UBC. He has recently retired from working in oil and gas and is based in Calgary.
Honorary Directors
James K. Gray
Jim has been engaged in oil and natural gas exploration in Western Canada for more than 50 years. He has participated in a wide range of community activities and projects. Among his current activities, he is chairman of the Canada West Foundation, a member of the board of governors of the Calgary Academy, a director of the Max Bell Foundation and honorary life director of the Calgary YMCA. He sits on several corporate boards and devotes much of his time to his family and the community.
Donna Broshko
Donna has worked as both a teacher and school councillor and has over 15 years experience in the education of children. Married to Dave, Donna has two daughters, Kari and Claire, and in her heart, a son Scott who was tragically taken in an avalanche during a school trip on February 1, 2003. Donna holds a B.Ed., M.Ed. in Counselling and a Chartered Directors designation.
Peter Spear
Peter patrolled at Lake Louise with the Canadian Ski Patrol System (CSPS) for 45 years before retiring. In 1967 he began teaching CSPS avalanche courses and as National Avalanche Training Officer, upgraded the course as a predecessor to today’s Avalanche Skills Training Course. In 1997, he developed a one-hour avalanche awareness course for high school students and was the driving force behind the SNOWSMART curriculum program. Peter’s dedication to avalanche safety education has earned him awards from the CSPS and the CAA. He is a retired teacher and mountaineer and now operates a summer guiding company, Peak Endeavours Inc.
Peter Schaerer
1926 - 2022
Peter was the retired head of the National Research Council's Snow Avalanche Section, responsible for avalanche engineering related research for transportation, industry and residential purposes. Peter was a recipient of the Order of Canada for his contributions to avalanche safety work in Canada and the world.
Peter Fuhrmann
Peter is retired from the position of Mountain Safety Specialist for the Mountain Parks of Canada's National Parks. Peter has been key in the development of mountain safety programs in the mountains in Western Canada. As an executive member of the Alpine Club of Canada he was instrumental in the development of mountain huts and programs in Canada
Margaret Trudeau
In November 1998, Margaret's son, Michel was tragically killed in an avalanche accident in BC. Since then the Trudeau family has been working with the foundation to reduce avalanche accidents by raising funds for public avalanche safety.
Chris Stethem
Chris, now retired, was president of Chris Stethem & Associates, a consulting company specializing in avalanche protection and snow management. Chris is Past President of the Canadian Avalanche Association and the Avalanche Canada Foundation.