Board of Governors

Appointed as President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director of TransAlta Corporation in 2021, Mr. Kousinioris is responsible for the overall stewardship of the company, including providing strategic leadership as the company navigates the transition to net zero and achieves its clean energy goals. John’s prior leadership roles as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Chief Growth Officer and, most recently, Chief Operating Officer, have provided him with responsibility for almost every aspect of TransAlta’s business. He has overseen operations, shared services, commercial, trading, customer solutions, hedging and optimization, and business development. John also served as President and a Corporate Director of TransAlta Renewables from 2017 to 2021.

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

John is Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors of Bow Valley College and a member of the Board of Directors of the Calgary Stampede Foundation. John is also a member of the Business Council of Canada, the Business Council of Alberta, and the Net Zero Council of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

John 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 attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.  

John and his family live in Calgary.

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

Before joining Bow Valley College, Misheck 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.

Misheck’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.

In January 2023, Misheck was appointed to a three-year term on the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Vertigo Theatre Board of Directors, the Windmill Microlending Board of Directors, and previously served as a council member of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).  He was also previously the chair of the Alberta Comprehensive Community College Presidents and other board experience also includes Vice-Chairing the Niagara Industrial Association; Chairing the Council of Deans of Trades and Apprenticeship Canada; Vice-Chair of the Pembroke Regional Hospital Board; Member of the Arnprior Regional Health Board; and Council Member of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists. Misheck was also chair of the Government of Alberta’s Foreign Credential Advisory Committee.

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.

Shannon has received numerous awards over the course of her career including being named one of Canada's 100 most powerful women, female business leader of the year in Alberta, and Entrepreneur of the Year in the Prairies Region.

Until the company's sale, she was also the President and CEO of BOWEN, one of the largest privately held recruiting and contractor management firms in the country.

Shannon now splits her time serving on the Board of Governor for Bow Valley College, Chairing the Advisory Board of Wee Wild ones and running her passion project, CANARY Jewelry and Accessories.

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Steven McLeod, P.Eng., brings over 25 years of diverse engineering experience from across Canada, with a strong foundation in the aerospace, software, and energy sectors.  Born and raised in Alberta, he holds a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering from Carleton University.  Steven currently works as a Production Operations Data Analyst at Tourmaline.  

Steven additionally serves in a leadership role as a volunteer on various boards and committees, with a focus on civic engagement, policy development, and governance.

Louise Lee is a partner in the Securities and Capital Markets Group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. Louise focuses her practice on corporate and securities law advising clients on private and public financings, including venture capital and private equity and mergers, acquisitions and other business combinations of public and private issuers, as well as assisting clients to ensure compliance with corporate and securities regulatory requirements.Louise is also a member of the board of directors of Alberta Women Entrepreneurs, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enabling women to build successful businesses and is the co-leader of BLG's Driven by Women Initiative in Calgary, which is focused on supporting female-led and female-founded companies.  Louise holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Political Science from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of British Columbia.

Neil Yeates is a retired Federal Deputy Minister whose career spanned more than 30 years in the Government of Canada and in the Government of Saskatchewan. Graduating from Queen’s University, Neil began his career as a policy analyst with the Saskatchewan Department of Health, eventually serving as the Associate Deputy Minister. He also worked for a number of years in Saskatchewan Social Services in the young offenders and child welfare programs and later as the Assistant Deputy Minister for all programs. He became a Deputy Minister in Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training, and also served at that level in the then newly formed Department of Corrections and Public Safety. During this time, Neil obtained an M.A. in Political Science at the University of Regina. Moving to the Government of Canada in Ottawa, Neil worked in Industry Canada, Health Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs, and most recently served for four years as the Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Neil has had a lifelong interest in accountability regimes, planning, and the role of the public service. In addition to being a member of the Board of Bow Valley College, he is also on the Board of Travel Alberta, Co-Chair of the C.D. Howe Institute’s Human Capital Council, a member of the Audit Committee of Global Affairs Canada, and a member of the Governance Committee of the Alpine Club of Canada. Neil was previously the Chair of the Board of the TransCanada Trail and Chair of the Audit Committee of the Department of Justice Canada. He also works as a consultant, mentor, and advisor.

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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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.

Pearl Lugo is a Pharmacy Technician student in the School of Health and Wellness at Bow Valley College and serves as Vice President of the Students’ Association of Bow Valley College (SABVC). With years of experience in student leadership and volunteerism, she brings a service-driven perspective to her role and has been recognized with the International Student Community Service Entrance Scholarship. Passionate about healthcare and advocacy, she focuses on addressing student challenges by improving access to essential resources and creating opportunities that help students thrive both inside and outside the classroom. She hopes to make a meaningful impact on the Bow Valley community while continuing to grow as a future healthcare professional. 

Pearl enjoys music and running, which she considers creative outlets and sources of personal growth.

Marc Anthony Paredes is currently pursuing a Diploma in Information Technology Systems at Bow Valley College. He brings over ten years of professional experience and is passionate about technology, governance, and student advocacy. Marc serves as the President of the Students’ Association of Bow Valley College (SABVC), where he leads the Board of Directors in advancing student services, advocating for equitable policies, and building a supportive and engaging campus community. He believes that student leadership is about listening first and creating space where everyone feels included, heard, and supported. Marc is focused on using his time at Bow Valley College to strengthen both his leadership and technical skills, while working to ensure that students have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

Kerry Sharples is a dedicated educator with 11 years of experience teaching at Bow Valley College, currently serving as Program Chair at the Chiu School of Business. Holding a Master of Arts in Learning and Technology from Royal Roads University, Kerry brings a blend of academic excellence and practical insight to her leadership role. Notably, Kerry's own educational journey includes being a former student at Bow Valley College, creating a deep connection with the institution and its mission. With a commitment to student success and advancing the college's goals, Kerry is poised to contribute meaningfully to the Board of Governors through thoughtful engagement and collaborative leadership.