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ALIES is governed by a Board of Directors and operated by an Executive Director. Meet them below.
Liz Agudelo- President
Liz Agudelo has made Edmonton her home after living in Ontario for 20 years since her arrival to the country from Venezuela, where she was born. Liz has a diploma and B.A. in Child & Youth Care which has allowed her to work closely with vulnerable people in different settings, namely with families and children. In recent years, Liz has been working with women in business and in ministry, and is passionate about seeing them thrive independently, as well as part of their respective communities. Liz is a champion for family and community, and believes in the calling to love and serve one another above all else. Her husband and two children support her in her new venture at ALIES & The Back Porch, where she is excited to serve and grow.
Louise Boychuk - Director
Louise is a fertility educator, a wife, and a mom. She is passionate about helping women understand the science and research behind human fertility and believes that supporting women in times of crisis is the responsibility of our community. She was drawn to the ministry of ALIES and The Back Porch because of its compassionate and gentle outreach to women in need of support.
Ian Meaden - Treasurer
Ian joined ALIES in 2019 in the role of Treasurer. He has a CPA designation and was looking for a way to use his financial background to benefit the pro-life movement. Through prayer, Ian was drawn to ALIES/The Back Porch because of the focus on support and guidance to those in need, as well as providing fact-based education and information pertaining to life issues. His interests are expansive - from playing a round (or two) of golf to reading a good book, especially ones that help him grow in his Catholic faith. Ian particularly enjoys a good camping/hiking trip to the mountains or travelling (within and outside Canada).
Nathan Harmata- Director
Coming Soon!
Marie-Blanche Mitchell - Director
Marie-Blanche is a retired French Immersion teacher and is a member of Sunrise Community Church. When she is now working at seasonal jobs, she is volunteering at The Back Porch. Over the last few decades, she has become increasingly compelled to become involved in pro-life work. In the early 2000s, she was commissioned to write a play for VOICE FOR LIFE of Grande Prairie: DANCING WITH ZOE, in which she directed and took on a role in the dinner theatre fundraiser. She is an amateur filmmaker and film editor as well. Presently, Marie-Blanche is writing a novel about abortion and euthanasia, with the intention of raising funds for ALIES. She has a daughter and a son who are married with families. She is a happy grandmother to three grandchildren.
Elizabeth Schellenberg - Director
Coming Soon!
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Gabrielle Johnson - Executive Director
Gabrielle Johnson acts as Executive Director on behalf of ALIES, directing the day-to-day operations of the The Back Porch and providing educational presentations. She has a background in philosophy, with a bachelor's degree from the University of Alberta and a masters from KU Leuven, in Belgium. She is passionate about social justice and caring for the most vulnerable members of society. Gabrielle is pleased to serve her community through her work at The Back Porch.
Anita Monai-Brophy -
The Back Porch Coordinator
Anita Monai-Brophy joined The Back Porch team as Back Porch Coordinator after finishing her Bachelors of Social Work at MacEwan University. Anita also has a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology. Anita has a wealth of experience in different fields, including working long-term in childcare –a position she thoroughly enjoyed. Anita has a passion for children and is honored to be a part of the pro-life ministry at The Back Porch. She is excited to learn and to serve the women who come to The Back Porch seeking information and assistance.
Siobahn McKenna -
Communications & Administration Coordinator
Siobahn was drawn to The Back Porch because of it's focus on combining empathy and pre-natal scientific literacy into advocation for the unborn. She holds a BSc. in the Biological Sciences and an MSc. in Human Ecology (Family Ecology and Practice stream), both from the University of Alberta. Siobahn has been a Treasurer for the UAlberta Pro-Life Club, and has a passion for volunteering with vulnerable populations. She loves and is also an advocate for animals.