Our Council
The College’s Council is the governing body responsible for overseeing the regulation of dental assisting in the public interest. Council is made up of public members and dental assistants (regulated members) who bring their unique experiences and perspectives to work together to set the overall direction and policies of the College.
Council fulfills its role by:
- setting the College’s strategic direction and priorities
- approving policies, standards, and bylaws
- establishing performance measures and monitoring results
- ensuring accountability, transparency, and effective governance
- overseeing the work of committees that support regulatory decision-making
Council focuses on governance and oversight. The College’s staff carry out day-to-day operations.
Council members
The College’s Council includes both public members, appointed by the Alberta Government, and dental assistants (regulated members), appointed through the College’s merit-based process.
Ayo Adediran
Public Council Member
Chelsey Dudley, RDA
Regulated Council Member
Sheri Gervais, RDA
Vice-Chair, Finance and Risk Management
Regulated Council Member
Genevera Hunt, RDA
Chair
Regulated Council Member
Joshua Jackman
Public Council Member
Kaitlyn Johnston, RDA
Regulated Council Member
Jolene Moore, RDA
Vice-Chair, Governance and Regulation
Regulated Council Member
Wilma Slenders
Public Council Member
Dr. Donghan (Sam) Sohn
Public Council Member
Onsy Tawadrous
Public Council Member
To contact Council, email councillors@abrda.ca. Messages are received and directed through the College. For matters intended for the Chair, email chair@abrda.ca.
Council meetings
Council meets regularly to conduct governance business and make decisions related to the College’s public interest mandate. Observers are welcome at regularly scheduled Council meetings.
Appointment to Council
Serving on Council is an opportunity to contribute to the governance of Alberta’s dental assisting profession and the protection of the public.
Frequently asked questions
What are Council’s responsibilities?
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- Fiduciary duties – Council has a legal and ethical obligation to act in the best interest of the College and its mandate with the duty to: prioritise the College’s interests over personal gain and avoid or disclose conflicts of interest; act with the same competence and diligence of a reasonably prudent person; and ensure the College complies with legislation and regulatory requirements as well as its own bylaws.
- Strategic oversight and governance – Council sets the direction of the College by establishing and regularly reviewing the mission, vision, and values; participates in strategic planning and approves major strategies; and creates the overarching governance framework and policies that guide how the College operates.
- Executive management – Council’s most critical function is to manage the College’s most senior leader by recruiting and appointing the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer (CEO); regularly reviewing the Registrar/CEO performance and determining pay and incentives; and ensuring there is a succession plan in place.
- Financial and risk stewardship – Council protects the College’s assets and ensures long-term sustainability through financial oversight; enterprise risk management; and resource allocation.
- External partnerships – Council acts as a steward for the systems within which they work by adopting a whole-of-system view, and taking a proactive, collaborative approach to monitoring, reviewing and reporting on systems; managing the College’s reputation; and reporting performance transparently to the Public and other system partners.
What does the Council do when they meet?
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Council meetings focus on strategic direction, governance and organizational performance. Through discussions, Council ensures accountability, reviews progress and makes high-level decisions that shape the College’s future. Meetings also include routine and administrative matters, like approval of the agenda and previous meeting minutes, and declaration of any conflicts of interest related to agenda items. These items are typically approved efficiently or via a consent agenda.
Council also listens to presentations to gather knowledge related to their areas of responsibility and participates in professional development for growth.
