Board Members
NOREEN MURPHY
Executive Director – Churchill Park Child Care Society
www.churchillpark.ca
Noreen has been the Executive Director of Churchill Park Family Care Society since 1987. She has dedicated her life to working to improve the Alberta child care standards and to ensuring that high quality child care is accessible to all families. She has worked for social justice and responsible change for decades, and is a respected advocate for families and children and their right to substantiated high quality child care. Noreen is the mother of three grown daughters and has two grandchildren. Noreen is one of the original board members with the Family Resource Facilitation Project and Churchill Park Child Care Society is currently the Fiscal Agent for the Project.
NEELA WARD
Executive Director – Thornhill Child Care Society
www.thornhillchildcare.com
Neela Ward was raised in Trail, BC, but has called Calgary home since 1988. She has been the Executive Director of Thornhill Child Care Society, which operates two child care centres, a Family Dayhome Agency, and a Kindergarten program, since 2002. Neela has worked with all ages of children and has dedicated her career to supporting families and children. She has been active in the child care field for over 20 years and is involved in many community organizations that promote and support quality child care. Neela joined the FRFP board in 2004. Neela believes strongly in the Family Resource Facilitation Project as she has seen many examples where the Project has benefited families who may be in crisis or just need a little support.
ROBYN SMITH
Executive Director – University Child Care Society
www.ucalgary.ca/uccc/
Robyn Smith is originally from Vancouver, BC, but has been in Calgary for approximately 30 years. Robyn has worked in the early childhood field for 24 years in a variety of positions and is currently the Executive Director of two child care facilities on campus at the University of Calgary. Robyn is a strong believer in Professional Development and prides herself on keeping up-to-date with current best practices. Robyn is an advocate for all early childhood educators, children and families. Robyn chairs both the MRC Early Childhood Advisory Committee and the MRC Child Studies Advisory Committee. Robyn has been a member of the FRFP Board since July 2007.
