Board of Governors

John Kousinioris was the President and Chief Executive Officer of TransAlta Corporation, one of Canada's largest publicly traded power generators, from 2021 to 2026.  John’s prior leadership roles as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Chief Growth Officer and Chief Operating Officer, provided him with responsibility for almost every aspect of TransAlta’s business.  Under his leadership TransAlta accelerated the phase-out and conversion of its coal-fired power plants to natural gas, sharply reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, significantly increased its renewables capacity and simplified its organizational and financial structures. John also served as President and a Corporate Director of TransAlta Renewables Inc. from 2017 to 2021.

Prior to joining TransAlta, John was a partner and co-head of the corporate commercial department at Bennett Jones LLP. He has extensive experience in securities law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance.

John is Chair of the Board of Governors of Bow Valley College and a member of the Boards of Directors of Calgary Economic Development, the Calgary Stampede Foundation and Axis Connects. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2023 in recognition of his contributions and service to the Province of Alberta in the field of business, commerce, industry and economics.

He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Honors Business Administration from the Ivey Business School of the University of Western Ontario, a Master of Business Administration degree from York University, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. He has also attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.

John and his family live in Calgary.

Dr. Misheck Mwaba is Bow Valley College’s 6th president and CEO, commencing his second five-year term November 1, 2025. He has been a proud Calgarian since 2017, bringing extensive knowledge to the college and the Calgary community. He has a breadth of experience across the Canadian post-secondary sector and internationally.

Before joining the college, Dr. Mwaba was the dean of Media, Trades, and Technology at Niagara College. His professional experiences include designing experimental facilities and managing research and development projects at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, and teaching and research at several post-secondary institutions, including the University of Zambia, Eindhoven University of Technology, Carleton University, University of Ottawa, and Algonquin College.

Dr. Mwaba’s academic journey started as a mechanical engineering student at the University of Zambia. After achieving a master’s and Ph.D., he arrived in Canada in 2003 for a postdoctoral fellowship at Carleton University. After working at Atomic Energy of Canada as a mechanical R&D engineer, he embarked on building a career in post-secondary education, first as a chair of Mechanical & Transportation Technology at Algonquin College. In 2017, he moved west to Alberta, first as vice-president of Academic at Bow Valley College, before being appointed president and CEO in November 2020.

Dr. Mwaba serves on the boards of Vertigo Theatre, and the Prostate Cancer Centre. He previously served as a council member with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and as a board director with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.  He was also previously the chair of the Alberta Comprehensive Community College Presidents and chair of the Government of Alberta’s Foreign Credential Advisory Committee. other board experience also includes vice-chair of the Niagara Industrial Association; chair of the Council of Deans of Trades and Apprenticeship Canada; vice-chair of the Pembroke Regional Hospital Board; member of the Arnprior Regional Health Board; member of Windmill Microlending; and council member of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists.  

In 2022, Dr. Mwaba was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and an Alberta Newcomer Recognition Award. He was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025.

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To contact President Mwaba, please click here.

In her role as CFOO, Kara oversees Travel Alberta’s financial performance, ensuring accurate financial reporting and managing day-to-day operations. She optimizes business processes and ensures efficient resource allocation, adhering to best practices, professional ethics, and governance standards.

Before joining Travel Alberta, Kara played a pivotal role in the growth of three successful Alberta-based companies: Vintage Group, Jugo Juice, and Big Rock Brewery. She has a proven track record of achieving financial and operational goals through cross-functional collaboration and contributes to long-term strategic planning, risk management, and performance monitoring.

Ms. Claypool earned her CMA designation in 2004 after graduating from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. In 2015, she was honored with the title of Fellow by the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) of Alberta for her exceptional service and distinction. Recently, she graduated from the Institute of Corporate Directors, receiving the ICD.D designation.

Kara’s professional accomplishments have been widely recognized. She was named to Avenue Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 list in 2011 and Alberta Venture Magazine’s Top 10 Rising Stars Under 40 in 2012. Kara has a history of volunteering on community and association boards and currently serves as Chair of the Board for the Love for Lewiston Foundation, a registered charity. She was recently appointed to the Bow Valley Board of Governors.

Residing in Calgary, Kara enjoys the mountain life in Fernie with her husband, participating in activities such as hiking, downhill mountain biking, and skiing, especially now that her two children are off to university.

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Cecilia de la Rocha brings over 30 years of experience inboth the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Early in her career, whileworking as a professional engineer in the Engineering, Procurement, andConstruction Management (EPCM) industry, she volunteered to raise funds forgrassroots charities in Calgary and the surrounding area.

She transitioned professionally from engineering managementconsulting to the charitable sector, becoming the executive director of aCalgary-based charity focused on education and human services for parentingyouth. She later focused her non-profit career on fund development within thesocial services, K-12 education, advanced education, and arts sectors. Insenior development roles, including Chief Development Officer, she has beeninstrumental in creating and advising multiple Board-appointed committees. Sheis bilingual in English and Spanish and has held her Certified Fund RaisingExecutive designation since 2021.

Cecilia is currently the Board Chair of Dare to Care, anational anti-bullying charitable organization. Her commitment to communityservice is further demonstrated by her past roles on the Board of the ArtemisCharitable Foundation, where she served as Treasurer, Vice-Chair, and Chair.Additionally, during her time in the social services sector, she served asDirector of the Inter-Agency Committee for Pregnant and Parenting Youth, anot-for-profit professional network.

Cecilia lives in Calgary with her family.

As an accomplished business professional with more than 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Sara has led organizations in the development and execution of transformational initiatives.

With a career in investment banking spanning nearly two decades, Emma has advised on a broad spectrum of Alberta-based power transactions from both a financing and M&A perspective.

Sherie Toner is a Calgary-based senior sales and marketingexecutive with more than 30 years of experience in media, business development,strategic partnerships and community leadership. She has spent much of hercareer with Corus Entertainment and previously served as Executive Director ofthe Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation. 

A past recipient of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40, Sherie has along history of community and philanthropic involvement and has served on BowValley College’s Stakeholder Engagement Council since 2020. She holds aBachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta. 

With more than two decades of experience advising high-net-worth families, entrepreneurs, and foundations, Michael offers deep expertise in financial stewardship, family governance, and legacy planning.

Indira Smith is a Success Advisor in Student Services at Bow Valley College. In this role, she promotes student retention by assisting students with early support, academic coaching strategies, navigating college and community resources, and providing college success workshops. She holds a Community, Family and Child Studies diploma from Camosun College and has recently completed a Certificate in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion with the University of British Columbia. Indira identifies as a lifelong learner and has now embarked on completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Thompson Rivers University. Indira supports the College and her students by advocating for fair and equitable treatment and a community of belonging.

Tchukas Ezeudoye is pursuing a Certificate in Health CareAide at Bow Valley College and serves as this year’s President of the Students’Association of Bow Valley College (SABVC). As President, he provides leadershipto the Board of Directors, ensures that students are represented in thedecisions that shape their college experience, and advances SABVC’s strategicpriorities. Tchukas brings more than seven years of professional experience andis passionate about healthcare, community partnerships, and studentrepresentation. During his term, he is committed to creating meaningfulopportunities for students to connect and foster a strong sense of community oncampus. In his free time, Tchukas enjoys playing guitar and badminton, andtravelling.

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David Garcia is a Business Administration student,majoring in Insurance and Risk Management. He serves asVice-President at the Students' Association of Bow Valley College (SABVC).David is passionate about creating a welcomingand supportive environment where students feel heardand represented. He believes that advocacy starts withlistening, understanding students’ needs,and working collaboratively to address the issues thatmatter most to them. Through his volunteerexperience in community outreach and at a food bank, David hasstrengthened his communication and leadership skills, whichhe brings to his role on the Board. As Vice-President, heis focused on supporting transparent governance and ensuringstudents' voices are reflected in the decisionsthat impact the Bow Valley community. Outside of school,David enjoys playing soccer, listening to music, and trying new recipes inthe kitchen.