Board Members

Greg Bainbridge: Chair

Greg Bainbridge is an Economic Development Officer with the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) and focuses on sustaining and growing Edmonton's vibrant Finance, Insurance and Real Estate industries. Prior to working with EEDC, he has been with TELUS for the past 4 years and has lived in Edmonton for the same. Having moved from Vancouver, Greg now calls Edmonton home and is active within the sport and volunteer community. Greg is also a member of the Health and Wellness committee with the Edmonton Community Foundation, which provides grant funding for not-for-profit organizations.

Academically, Greg has recently passed Level 1 and 2 of the Chartered Financial Analyst. He holds a Bachelor of Human Kinetics degree from the University of British Columbia. Greg hopes to bring awareness of EFLS programs within the community in light of the recent economic conditions and clear need for accessible financial education for the public.

Jeff Morton: Vice chair

Jeff Morton is a Compliance Analyst with Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo). In this role, Jeff works as part of a team tasked with ensuring that AIMCo’s investments are made in compliance with the investment policies of clients.  

Jeff moved to the Edmonton area from Regina ten years ago, and has participated in a number of sporting and other activities since that time. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta and has completed the three exams of the Chartered Financial Analyst program. Currently, Jeff is pursuing his Masters of Business Administration at the University of Alberta. Jeff believes that basic financial literacy skills play an important role in everyone's lives, and hopes to improve access to financial education in the community.

Don Thompson: Secretary/Tresurer

Don is transitioning into retirement after 30 years within Alberta's post-secondary system as an accounting instructor and program administrator.  He previously earned an honours degree in Commerce followed by a Certified Management Accounting designation.

Don was awarded the FCMA designation by the Certified Management Accountants of Canada in recognition of his service to the accounting profession and the community.  He has always believed in the importance of financial education to help individuals cope with the demands of our modern consumer-driven society.

Bob Ascah

Bob Ascah recently retired from a senior position with ATB Financial after 25 combined years of service with ATB and the province of Alberta. He is presently Vice-Chair of the Alberta/NWT Division of the Canadian Cancer Society and on the board of directors of United Way, Alberta Capital Region.  He holds degrees in commerce and public administration from Carleton University and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Alberta.  Dr. Ascah will be joining the Institute for Public Economics at the University of Alberta as Director this fall. He is the author of Politics and Public Debt- The Dominion the Banks and Alberta’s Social Credit. His interests include improving the understanding by Albertans of basic financial skills and providing strong oversight functions of the Society.

 

Blair Morling

Blair Morling has been employed in the Banking Industry since 1989 with  experience in retail and business financial  services.   He is also a  volunteer with the  City of Edmonton as a member of the Community Services Advisory Board and  the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Previous volunteer engagements include Chairman of the  City of  Edmonton Community Operating Grant Program and Edmonton Hosting Grant Program.   His hobbies include staying fit and enjoying the outdoors.   His interest  in helping people succeed with their financial goals brought him to join EFLS.     

Staff

Nigel Kidd: Executive Director

Nigel emigrated from England to Edmonton in 2005.  Before moving to Alberta he spent the previous five years in the banking industry.  Working in financial sales and management directly with his customers, Nigel gained a strong understanding of the problems that his clients faced in trying to achieve their financial goals. With his experience he is able to drive the financial literacy program, having firsthand knowledge of how it can change lives.  Prior to banking, Nigel spent over 15 years in the retail sector, including multi site shop management.  Through this, he developed strong motivational and organizational skills, all of which he is now able to utilize while working in the non-profit sector.  Nigel is also a member of the Canadian Evaluation Society.

Amy Pittendreich: Project manager

Amy has recently returned to Alberta after enjoying a number of years living and working overseas. Amy brings project management and teaching experience, mostly on community development programs with non-profit organizations. Amy holds a Bachelor of Management and a Graduate Diploma in International Project Management. Having worked extensively with economically disadvantaged communities, she strongly believes in financial literacy education and the positive impacts it can bring in breaking the cycle poverty. On the other spectrum, she also understands how mismanaging finances can be detrimental for any person regardless of economic or social class therefore making financial literacy an essential learning that all people should have access to. 

Harry Wong: Administration and funding coordinator

Harry joined EFLS in February 2004.  His background includes graduation from the NAIT Business Administration Program as well as diversified work and volunteer experience in office and retail settings. Born and raised in Edmonton's inner city under adverse and impoverished conditions, he provides EFLS with a unique and empathetic perspective of the struggles facing financially disadvantaged citizens in our community.

Harry firmly believes that when it comes to effectively managing your personal finances; ”It’s not about how much money you make, it’s about how you manage it”.  He also believes that regular savings habits, always having an emergency fund, frugality and being a savvy shopper can go a long way to achieving personal financial solvency and stability.

 

Committees

Employment Committee:  Nigel Kidd.  

Finance, Audit & Legal (FA&L) Committee: Jeff Morton, Greg Bainbridge, Don Thompson.