Meet our Staff

Ellen Green is the Executive Director of the Hope Foundation of Alberta.
Ellen assumed the role of Executive Director in August 2010. She’s been a professional fundraiser since 1986 and has worked in fund development for both the Multicultural Heritage Centre in Stony Plain, and Camp Health, Hope and Happiness. She holds degrees in English, Education and Anthropology and over the years has delivered many workshops throughout Alberta on topics of interest to non-profits. Ellen’s looking forward to applying her non-profit knowledge and experience to advance the mission of the Hope Foundation. On a personal note, she’s a strong believer in the power of hope to inspire children and adults, enabling them to secure happier, more rewarding futures for themselves and their communities.

Wendy Edey is the Director of Counselling at the Hope Foundation of Alberta.
Wendy is a counselling psychologist whose work integrates three personal passions: hope humour and storytelling. Since 1995 she has been practicing and teaching the intentional integration of hope strategies into counselling for people facing illness and complex problems. Her pioneering work in the development of hope-focussed language has earned the Canadian Counselling Association 2001 Award for practice excellence and the University of Alberta Alumni Award for excellence in achievement. Her writing is published in a variety of sources including the Canadian Journal of Counselling. She was Global Television's Woman of Vision in January 2007.

Dr. Denise Larsen is the Director of Research at the Hope Foundation of Alberta.
Denise was appointed to this position in July 2003 following two years as a faculty member at the University of Saskatchewan. Denise is jointly appointed as Associate Professor of Counselling Psychology in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta.

Her research has been funded by a number of sources and focuses on the role of hope in education and health. She has published a number of book chapters and articles in journals such as the Canadian Journal of Counselling. She chairs the Hope Research Advisory Group at the Hope Foundation. She is also a registered psychologist and maintains a hope-focused counselling practice.

Lenora LeMay is the Director of Educational Services.
In addition to overseeing the various HOPE KIDS™ programs, Lenora writes and facilitates the delivery of curriculum that encourages others to document and share their ongoing experiences of using hope-focused strategies and practices in their work.

Lenora was the 2003-2004 Horowitz Scholar in the Centre for Research for Teacher Education and Development at the University of Alberta. Her research as the Horowitz Scholar was “Naming and Making Hope Visible: Towards a Hopeful Pedagogy” and “The Teacher Hope Initiative Story”.

She was the principal developer for the “Hope Studies Certificate Program” for NorQuest College and continues to co-facilitate the annual “Hope Studies Alumni Conferences”.

Lenora was the principal writer of the Nurturing Hopeful Souls: Hopeful Practices and Strategies for Children and Youth resource.

Lenora is a recipient of the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow in 2008.

I wanted to express my appreciation for the time, the wisdom, and contagious excitement you shared with us on Monday. I am personally inspired by you and the work you do. This was one of the best PD sessions I have ever attended, as it was so specific to our needs and the kids we work with.

School Counselor from Working with Hope-Focused Practices and Strategies Workshop

Rachel Stege is a Registered Psychologist and Research Assistant at the Hope Foundation of Alberta. Rachel completed her Master's degree in Counselling Psychology at the University of Alberta, conducting her thesis research in the area of women's experiences of infertility. Rachel joined the Hope Foundation in 2006, as part of the research team exploring how therapists and clients construct, express, and respond to experiences of hope in the process of early sessions of counselling. In 2007, she added individual counselling and group co-facilitation to her involvement at the Hope Foundation.

Beverley Sohnle is Finance Coordinator/Receptionist at the Hope Foundation. Bev works part-time at the Hope Foundation assisting with a variety of office responsibilities including: research analysis and support, Hope-lit Database management, finances and reception.”
Bev completed a Master of Education degree in Counselling Psychology at the U of A, after raising her family. During her time at home, Bev was involved in facilitating parenting courses and developing a women’s course.

Bev has been an active volunteer throughout her life. She is currently volunteering for Pilgrim’s Hospice, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, and her local community league. Through her work at Hope House, Bev seeks to make a positive contribution to it’s atmosphere of hope.

Joan Kovacs – Fund Development Assistant
Joan has worked in the fund development office of the Convent of the Sacred Heart private girls’ school in Halifax and has now brought her talents to Edmonton. She has worked on an endowment fund for the Edmonton & District Quilters’ Guild scholarship in Human Ecology. Joan has also assisted with fundraisers for Planned Parenthood and the Elizabeth Fry Society. She believes that hope is an essential element in a balanced and fulfilling life and benefits greatly from her association with the staff of the Hope Foundation of Alberta.