Board Members

Jeff Morton: Board 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.

Blair Morling

Blair Morling has been employed in the Finance Industry since 1989 with experience in retail, business and equipment 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.

Josh Noble

Josh Noble is a Alumni Relations Manager with The King's University College (TKUC). In this role, Josh works to connect alumni to their alma mater.

Josh moved to Edmonton from Lloydminster seven years ago. He holds a Bachelor of Psychology degree from The King's University and he is currently pursuing his Masters of Arts in Communications and Technology. Josh is a proponent of financial literacy and education for all ages.

Hardeep Gill

Bio to follow

Sue Tucker

Bio to follow

    

Aaron Stead

Aaron is the Edmonton Branch Manager of a national mining supply company. He is tasked with all operation based decisions along with the business development initiatives for central Alberta. Aaron moved to Edmonton from Southwestern Ontario in late 2011, after completing his studies at the University of Western Ontario. Aaron completed a Bachelors in Management and Organizational Studies (BMOS) and specialized in Finance and Administration. He is also a graduate of the Canadian Securities Course and a candidate for the CFA level 1 exam in June 2013. Along with the EFLS, Aaron volunteers with the Professional Risk Management International Association (PRMIA) chapter of Edmonton. Aaron believes that financial literacy is a fundamental asset on the road to personal success. His hobbies include hockey in the winter, golf in the summer and working out year round.

Juan Giraldo

Juan Giraldo is a Financial Controller with Expocrete Concrete Products Ltd. he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, a CMA (Certified Management Accountant) designation, 3 years of mechanical engineering and a Specialization in Finance. For the past 16 years Juan has worked in medium to high level executive positions which has provided him with opportunities to promote high-level strategic, business and financial planning decisions for worldwide corporations.

Gaurav Sobti

Gaurav Sobti is an Associate in the Private Investments group at Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund Board. He is a part of a team which makes investments in private equity and infrastructure. Gaurav moved to Edmonton in late 2012 from Toronto. Gaurav is a Chartered Accountant and graduated with a bachelors degree in Biotechnology/Chartered Accountancy and a Masters of Accounting from the University of Waterloo. Currently, he is a Candidate in the Chartered Financial Analyst program. Gaurav believes that financial literacy is of uttermost importance at a time when Canadians are experiencing record household debt levels.

    

Staff

Doug Spotowski: Executive Director

Doug took over the helm of EFLS in September 2012. He is passionate about financial education, and the use of money as a tool to get what is important in our lives.

Doug brings a wealth of experience to the Executive Director position. He has spent over ten years of developing highly successful programs for adults, ten years teaching in the public school system and has started and ran two businesses.  

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:  Jeff Morton, Doug Spotowski.  

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