Governance
A voluntary Board of Governors oversees the mission of the Alberta Real Estate Foundation. The Alberta Real Estate Foundation’s Board of Governors is comprised of industry and public volunteers that represent the heart of the organization. They collectively make decisions about each project to create successful and meaningful results that benefit the people of Alberta.
The Foundation is independent of organized real estate, government, and licensing authorities. As per the Real Estate Regulation, the Real Estate Council of Alberta and the Alberta Real Estate Association each appoint two persons to serve on the Foundation’s Board of Governors, for a total of four out of seven seats.
Three seats are available through an open call for public nomination. The standing Board selects the public members.
Governors are appointed for a three-year term and are limited to serving for two three-year terms.

Janice Resch
Appointed by the Alberta Real Estate Association
Janice was born and raised in Red Deer Alberta into a family that’s has been active in organized Real Estate since 1962. After years of working in the Recreation Therapy field Janice became a licensed REALTOR® in 1995.

Penny Omell
Public Member
Penny moved into wealth management as a career in 1994, where she has practiced as partner and owner of the Omell Financial Group CIBC Wood Gundy. She loves hearing about her clients’ lives and helping them be financially sound.

Christine Zwozdesky
Public Member
Christine is a native Edmontonian and received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta. She enjoyed a lengthy career in property management with regional and national companies until she started her own consulting firm in commercial real estate in 2007.

Anand Sharma
Appointed by the Real Estate Council of Alberta
Anand is the President and Condominium Manager of 113 West Condominium Management Ltd. He is a lifelong resident of Edmonton.

Melanie Hulsker
Public Member
Melanie is a lifelong resident of Calgary where she enjoys community building and giving back to the City she is proud to call home. She has over 20 years of professional experience at the federal and municipal orders of government.

Cheryl Schindel
Appointed by the Real Estate Council of Alberta

Joanna Barstad
Appointed by the Alberta Real Estate Association
Joanna Barstad is a passionate and hard-working REALTOR® and industry volunteer with more than 25 years of experience.
Meet the Team
The team of the Alberta Real Estate Foundation implement the decisions of the Board of Governors and manage the day-to-day operations of the Foundation.