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.
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.
Kevin Seel
Director
Kevin has more than a decade of experience in governance and public avalanche safety. He spent ten years as president of the Avalanche Canada board of directors, and as the secretary treasurer prior to that. Kevin works as a Principal Environmental Consultant at WSP, where he leads the mountain services team and the nuclear siting practice for western Canada.
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.
Lyndon Neville
Treasurer
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.
Jason Valagao
Director
Jason is based in Vancouver, B.C., where he works at the intersection of fundraising and technology. He collaborates with hundreds of non-profits each year, helping them achieve greater efficiency through digital tools. Before entering the software industry, Jason gained experience in fundraising and donor engagement, and he remains actively involved with local organizations as a volunteer. When not working, he enjoys exploring the Coast Mountains on his splitboard.