Director Election

April 10, 2025

With a number of qualified candidates interested in acting on North Central Co-op's Board of Directors, we are hosting an online Director's Election from May 15th until May 29th, 2025. Member owners who want to vote are required to pre-register for voting by April 30th, 2025. Election results will be shared at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 10, 2025.

At Co-op, we believe in empowering our member-owners to shape our future. We strive to ensure that our Board of Directors is composed of individuals who possess a diverse range of skills, experience, and attributes. This is achieved through a rigorous nomination and election process, where all members are given the opportunity to have their voices heard. Help us elect our Co-op’s future leaders by casting your vote.

Thank you to everyone who has pre-registered to vote in the Director's Election. Pre-registration is now closed. You will receive an e-mail on May 15th from Survey & Ballots

Pre-Registration Is Now Closed

Meet the Candidates

Below, you'll find a concise biography for each candidate, along with their introduction videos. We believe that an informed decision is crucial to ensure that our Board truly reflects the values and aspirations of our membership, allowing our Co-op to flourish and expand. Your voice matters, and together we can build a stronger future for our Co-op.

If you have any additional inquiries or feedback concerning the online election, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at voting@nccoop.ca.

Jeffrey R. Gossain \| Edmonton, AB Jeffrey R. Gossain is an accomplished executive and consultant, advising companies across Canada on commercializing innovative technologies and services. He was the President & COO of Atlas Global Brands Inc., where he led its merger and public listing, growing it into a multinational with 250+ employees and $60M+ in revenue. Previously, he spent a decade in construction and asset management, overseeing $300M+ in assets across North America at Graham Construction & Engineering. An entrepreneur at heart, he has co-founded and led technology startups in health, fitness, and smart home sectors since 2012. Jeffrey serves on the boards of Edmonton Global, TELUS World of Science, and Goodfish Lake Business Corporation, an Indigenous-owned company. He holds a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta, finance-focused executive education from Harvard Business School, and the ICD.D designation. He is a registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with APEGA and a Certified Management Consultant (CMC).
Orest Pyshniak \| Spruce Grove, AB Orest Pyshniak was born in Barrhead, Alberta, and grew up farming in that area. His family always had a Co-op membership, as did most of their neighbours, and enjoyed “going to town” to shop at the Co-op for groceries and farm supplies. Orest farmed until 1989, when he completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Alberta. Orest went on to obtain his Chartered Accountant (“CA”) designation (now Chartered Professional Accountant (“CPA”)) and also the Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”) designation. Over Orest’s career, which has spanned 35 years, he has worked in senior finance leadership roles for various companies in the Edmonton areas. From 2005 to 2024, he worked at The Brick in the finance department. In 2009, he became the VP of Finance there and a member of the Executive Leadership Team. At the executive management level, Orest has participated at the board level for over ten years presenting reports and information, and participating in Q&A and board table discussions. Orest’s leadership experience also includes serving on the investment committee of the Edmonton Community Foundation (2010-2015) and on the Accounting Standards Board of Canada IFRS discussion group (2009-2014). Orest attributes much, if not all, of what he has accomplished to the teams he has supported or led over time – and the concept of team is one that he holds very high. Orest is happily married to Jenny, his wife of 34 years. They have two adult sons and live on an acreage in Parkland County. Retiring in 2024, Orest enjoys working on his yard with his tractor and spending time in his garage prepping his cars for track days.
Clement Lee \| Edmonton, AB Clement Lee is a resident of the Hillview community and a seasoned professional in business operations. With a strong track record of enhancing profits and cash flow, Clement has successfully led several cross-functional projects at various companies, driving significant results in both operational efficiency and business growth. Clement is deeply committed to building value for both communities and businesses. Known for his diligence and collaborative spirit, he is a trusted partner in achieving shared goals. His leadership and problem-solving abilities have earned him the respect of colleagues and peers alike. Clement holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, complemented by continuing education in governance, climate literacy and investment due diligence. He is passionate about integrating sustainability into his work, seeking innovative solutions that balance business success with environmental and social responsibility. Beyond his professional pursuits, Clement is an active member of his community, teaching motorcycle at the local school, coaching girls’ club volleyball, and enjoying outdoor activities such as mountain climbing in Alberta and sailing on local lakes. He is dedicated to lifelong learning and continually seeks opportunities to grow and contribute positively to his surroundings.
Ryan Low \| Stony Plain, AB Ryan Low is a seasoned business development manager and business analyst with over 15 years of diverse experience, particularly in retail, e-commerce, and customer service. His professional journey began at Zellers, where he supervised 32 departments, managed warehousing, and oversaw multi-million sales budgets. This foundational experience instilled in Ryan, a deep appreciation for retail operations, customer experience, and community-focused business practices. Ryan expanded his expertise into manufacturing administration management, leading ERP software implementations, managing complex production processes, and optimizing order fulfillment and scheduling in Alberta-based manufacturing operations. He has successfully navigated teams through digital transformations, integrating technology with traditional manufacturing practices to drive efficiency and improve customer satisfaction. Currently at Rotational Labs, Ryan leverages advanced technologies particularly artificial intelligence, to enhance operations across multiple industries. Ryan is passionate about community, integrity, excellence and responsibility – values he shares deeply with North Central Co-op. He believes strongly in the cooperative business model as a sustainable way to grow local economies, enrich community life, and ensure profits remain within the community. Ryan looks forward to applying his diverse experience, strategic thinking, and community-oriented approach as a dedicated member of the North Central Co-op Board of Directors.
Leah Lunz \| Edmonton, AB Leah Lunz is a human resources professional bringing a variety of skill and expertise to the Board of Directors position. Having grown up in a rural Saskatchewan community, she possesses familiarity with, and passion for cooperative values and philosophy. With 20 years of experience working within the cooperative movement in the Credit Union system, she has been employed by three credit unions and two affiliated organizations in both Saskatchewan and Alberta, holding various management and leadership positions in the system. While Human Resources Manager at the Shaunavon Credit Union, Leah was instrumental in assisting with the exciting and successful merger with Affinity Credit Union. She will always be proud of her contribution. One of the proudest accomplishments in her career was participating in the project that brought the Interact Direct Payment system to Credit Unions across Canada. She travelled extensively throughout the country, educating employees about the benefits and advantages for our business members. This opportunity provided her with an abundance of information and experience with the regional differences both technically and culturally. While Leah was with the Shaunavon Credit Union, she served on the Shaunavon Cooperative Association Board of Directors for 3 years as an active committee member and delegate, prior to relocating to Edmonton in 2016. She has been a board member for a not-for profit organization and has also participated as a member of her residential condominium board, serving in position of Secretary. She is committed to ensuring the decisions made at the board level consistently reflect not only the strategic priorities of the organization, but also the cooperative principle of concern for the community. Leah brings an understanding of a variety of sectors to the table. This includes financial services, IT, retail, and manufacturing, serving in public service, private service and non-profit environments. She has always demonstrated a strong work ethic, reliability, agility and robust leadership ability. She has held numerous positions that involved change management and embraces these opportunities with interest and enthusiasm. She is recently retired and is committed to serving the North Central Cooperative Association’s Board of Directors to the best of her ability while keeping cooperative beliefs and community values at the forefront.

In an effort to improve communication with our members, we want to ensure we have the most up-to-date contact information on file. Using the link provided below, complete our membership contact form.