Homeland Housing is governed by a Board of thirteen Directors elected from member municipalities. The Board of Directors provides the governance, vision, and strategic direction for Homeland Housing.
Dwayne has over 25 years of experience as a small business owner and is active in his community as a youth leader, mentor, and coach/ referee of several sports for teens.
Dwayne was elected to Redwater Council in a by-election in 2018. Dwayne observes that for many, the “golden years” are not seen as such. Seniors need to have quality housing, supports, programs and services that enhance their quality of life so that these can be their “golden years,” which is why he chose to be a board member.
In his spare time, Dwayne loves to play any sport, particularly team sports. Mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, and camping in the mountains are favorite things to do. Time with family and our first grandchild are precious.
Ralph Leriger
Board Member Town of Westlock
Ralph was born and raised in Westlock. After a 37-year career in the operations and management of the electrical system with TransAlta Corporation he and his wife MaryAnne returned home to look after their aging parents. He was elected as the Mayor of Westlock October 2013
Ralph and MaryAnne life together revolve around family. They have 3 children and 7 grandchildren that live nearby. We enjoy camping, gardening, adventures and being together.
Ralph believes strongly in the adage that the community raises the child. Many of the seniors that reside with Homeland Housing are the moms, dads, aunties, uncles, friends and neighbours that helped raise me. Being on the Board with Homeland Housing allows me to give back to them.
“I know they are counting on me to look after them and provide the services and supports for a high quality of life.” I take that seriously.
Laura Morie
Town of Westlock
Coming Soon.
Carol Tremblay
Board Member Town of Legal
Carol was elected to Legal Town Council in 2012. In 2013 she was appointed to the Sturgeon Foundation Board and has been an active member of the board throughout the amalgamation and transition to what is now Homeland Housing.
Being a lifelong resident of the Town of Legal, Carol has deep roots in Legal and feels seniors are a key pillar of the community. Being part of the Homeland Housing Board has provided Carol the opportunity to advocate for seniors in Legal and region, assisting in shaping quality homes and innovative services being provided to the seniors of Sturgeon County, Westlock County and Lesser Slave River.
Carol is an active member of the community, volunteering on several community boards. With being active in Legal it has become an ambition of Carol’s to create a legacy that their child and someday grandchildren will be proud of. She loves to see the community rally together and form a proud, warm, and driven town, a place we all can call home!
Sandra Melzer
Board Member Lesser Slave Lake
Sandra and her husband have run a cow/calf operation for 32 years near Flatbush. Sandra is a hairdresser by trade and ran her own hair salon for many years in Westlock. After their two boys were born, she stayed home, ran a hair salon out of her home and helped out on the farm.
She was elected to the MD of Lesser Slave River council in the fall of 2017.
Sandra values being a board member for Homeland Housing. She wants to see seniors looked after and having quality, safe, affordable housing, and a strong support system to help them live their best lives.
Sandra has spent many hours volunteering in her community on various boards and groups. In her spare time, she enjoys beading, sewing, her circuit machine and just about any craft out there to play with. She also enjoys camping and time spent with family and friends.
Maurice St. Denis
Town of Morinville
Coming Soon.
Natalie Joly
Board Member
Natalie is the City of St. Albert Council appointee to the Homeland Housing Board of directors, having been appointed in 2017 and reappointed after her reelection in 2021. She was also honored to serve as Board Chair from 2019-21. Through a commitment to social, environmental, and economic sustainability, Natalie’s actions on St. Albert Council have included strengthening supports for vulnerable persons within St. Albert and supporting sustainable development. She also holds the unique honour of championing the first motion within an Alberta municipality to ban the practice of “conversion therapy”.
During her first term, Natalie completed an MBA from Athabasca University. From 2016-2022, she also volunteered as an Affiliate Photographer with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, an organization that provides bereavement portraiture to families experiencing the loss of an infant. Prior to her role on Council, she supported seniors wishing to safely age in place through her role at the North Edmonton Seniors Association. Natalie is now the Executive Director of ElderCare Edmonton, where she balances this full-time role with her part-time role on Council.
Loraine Berry
Town of Gibbons
Coming Soon.
Lynn Bidney
Board Member Town of Bon Accord
Lynn retired in December 1996 after a 35-year career as a Registered Nurse. Lynn has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and worked many different acute care areas for Alberta Health Services including various surgery units, ICU and at the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional centre.
As a Community Care Case Manager with Alberta Health Services, Lynn gained an appreciation for how difficult it is for the elders to find suitable, affordable accommodations and that just a small number of personal supports can help to keep the elders in their home communities.
Lynn was elected to Bon Accord Council in 2017.
As a board member, Lynn continues to advocate for suitable and affordable housing and supports in each community served by Homeland Housing.
Lynn enjoys a long daily walk with her dogs. She also enjoys spending time with family and is enjoying 11 grandchildren!