MEET THE TEAM
Joel Bosch
Joel loves taking an idea and bringing it to life. He has been in the construction industry for over 20 years and constantly seeks something new to create or build. Outside of his professional life, Joel finds immense joy and fulfillment in his role as a loving and devoted father. He is happily married and blessed with a beautiful family, including his wife and their four children – three energetic boys and a charming little girl. Joel cherishes the quality time spent with his family, fostering strong bonds and creating cherished memories. In addition to his commitment to work and family, Joel is actively engaged in his community. He believes in giving back and volunteers his time and expertise to local initiatives, emphasizing the importance of mental health, community, and a sustainable lifestyle.
Sarah Fortheringham
Dr. Sarah Fotheringham, PhD, RSW, is a research and evaluation consultant providing program design, evaluation, community-based research and social service innovation to the social service sector. Sarah has led and collaborated on research and evaluation activities since 2005. She has written numerous reports and published several academic articles. Areas of specialization include gender-based violence prevention and engaging men and boys. She co-led a national study on engaging men and boys in gender equality in 2019, alongside Lana Wells and Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence through the University of Calgary. Sarah is passionate about supporting agencies in developing innovative and compelling evidence-based services. Sarah is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary.
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Sarah joined the EvolveMENt team in 2021 as a consultant providing research/content expertise, program and curriculum design, and evaluation. She is honoured to be a part of such an exciting initiative and recognizes the value this work brings to men, their families and communities.
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Sarah lives in Canmore and spends her free time in the mountains.
Scott Schall
As one of the founding members of the Pints with the Pack group here in Medicine Hat, Scott found that some of the training he had taken in the Armed Forces dealing with mental health and resiliency could be useful with men’s mental health in general. Later, while attaining a Certificate as well as a Diploma in Occupational Health from the University of Alberta, Scott was exposed to many new aspects of mental well-being in addition to some concepts of change management that could be useful in presenting positive mental health strategies to young and older men as well.
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Although Scott was humbled to be a part of the planning and steering group for the EvolveMENt program, he is excited to have been asked to be one of the early mentors in the youth mentorship element. He thinks that the diverse background, in addition to the unique educational paths of all the members, will make it a genuinely worthwhile program and cannot wait to see where he can help it to succeed.
Barry O'Donnell
Barry was born and raised in Medicine Hat and worked in the oil patch for 42 years before becoming a life coach. Barry is a father and a grandfather who previously volunteered with Victims Assistance and was part of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team. The connections he made during that time brought him to this group when it originally started, and he became one of the team leaders.
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Barry was one of the featured speakers in the NGM Speaker Series. Currently, he facilitates group coaching sessions at the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter.
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What motivated Barry to join was his first-hand experience of what masculinity should not be. He spent the majority of his life in environments that believed masculinity meant strength and mental health didn’t exist. This attitude never helped anyone then, and it won’t help anyone now. Barry is passionate about fighting for the underdog and making a difference. The best way he knows to create change is to take action. His life experiences, combined with his life coaching skills, give Barry a unique perspective and understanding that supports others through judgement-free acceptance.
Nic Cadwallader
Born in Vancouver but raised in Medicine Hat, Nic Cadwallader is Sanare Centre's EvolveMENt Program Coordinator. After graduating from the University of Alberta in 2020 with a degree in Psychology, Nic has strived to use his skills and knowledge to help uplift others and break down societal barriers. From 2020-2022, Nic worked with vulnerable populations facing housing scarcity as a Support Worker. Starting in 2022, he works to help prevent and ultimately eliminate Gender-Based Violence through their work with the EvolveMENt program.
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Nic's reason for getting into this field of work is simple: breaking down and rebelling against oppressive societal structures is punk rock. Traditional masculinity is a cage that holds men and boys back from being the best person they can be. Nic's goal is to give people the tools to break out of said cage and forge a masculinity that suits them. When he's not busy with work, Nic also enjoys cooking, art, longboarding and listening to music.
Michelle Marshall
Michelle has immersed herself in the world of social media and digital marketing for several years, establishing a strong professional presence in these domains. Her deep-seated enthusiasm lies in social media, web development, brand creation, and graphic design, acting as the driving force behind her career. In 2018, she took a significant step to enhance her expertise in the creative industry by enrolling in the Web Writing & Social Media Communication certificate program at the University of Toronto, further intensifying her love for marketing and communications.
With a burning passion for serving the local community, Michelle joined the Sanare Centre team as a Project Coordinator in early 2023, contributing to the betterment of Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta. In this role, she continues to leverage her creative skills and puts her organizational and analytical knowledge to good use in support of the team's mission and vision.
Ryan Kessell
Ryan Kessell, a dedicated leader within the Evolvement Circle group, brings a unique blend of professional expertise and a passion for community service to his role. As a seasoned supervisor at Canada Post, Ryan has honed his organizational and leadership skills, ensuring the smooth operation of postal services in his area. His commitment to excellence extends beyond the workplace and into the heart of his community.
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A true animal lover, Ryan is deeply involved in animal welfare initiatives, holding a position on the Board for the SPCA in Medicine Hat. This role allows him to contribute his time and energy to the betterment of the lives of animals in need. His compassion for animals is not confined to boardroom discussions; Ryan is also actively involved in dog training, utilizing his skills to foster positive relationships between pets and their owners.
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Ryan's involvement with the Evolvement Circle showcases his personal and collective growth dedication. By combining his professional acumen with his altruistic endeavours, he exemplifies the values of community, empathy, and continual improvement. Whether guiding his team at Canada Post, advocating for animals through the SPCA, or supporting individuals on their journeys within the Evolvement Circle, Ryan is a multifaceted leader who positively impacts various spheres of life.
Christina (Chris) Johnson
Meet Christina (Chris) Johnson, Rehab Prac. II, B.S.W., R.S.W., CYA-E-RYT 500, CYA-Ayurveda is a dynamic force with a remarkable amalgamation of accomplishments and a heart deeply connected to the spirit of Turtle Island. As a descendant of Scottish, German, and Swedish colonizers, she is committed to stewarding this land, ensuring its vitality for our children and future generations.
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Throughout a remarkable 15-year career at the Sanare Centre in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Chris has continued to hold the role of Executive Director. With her finger on the pulse of evidence-based, community innovative program design, she introduces an array of programming that respects various ways of knowing and personal growth and primary prevention practices with the hope that someday, people will not need to heal from sexual violence. Her outstanding contributions have earned her prestigious accolades, including the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal and the first leader of a charity to receive the Inspirational Award for Women in Business. These honours recognized her unwavering commitment to collaboration, courage in pushing boundaries, and dedication to speaking the truth about the urgent need to eradicate violence. Moreover, Chris serves as co-chair for IMPACT Alberta and IMPACT Medicine Hat, further underscoring her commitment to fostering transformative change.
Bonnie Drabiuk
Bio coming soon.
