Our Team

The achievements of the Winnifred Stewart Association would not be possible without the organizations' dedicated staff. WSA's diverse and experienced team continues to guide WSA towards its vision of enhancing quality of life as it strives to help WSA in its mission to provide comprehensive, customized services.

Winnifred Stewart Association Team:

Larry Smook (CEO)
Larry has been the CEO of the Winnifred Stewart Association for four years. He has spent most of his executive career in the healthcare sector in B.C. and Alberta. Among his executive positions, Larry has been the Director of Laboratories at the Cross Cancer Institute, worked for the B.C. Ministry of Health in Victoria, B.C. and was on the Board of Directors of the Lillian Lefcoe Center for Developmentally Disabled Adults. He returned to Alberta in 1991 to become CEO of the Brooks Health Center, and in 1994 was appointed CEO for the Westview Regional Health Authority.

Shelia Maher (Controller)
Sheila had just moved to Edmonton from Quebec City when she started working for WSA in November 1976. She started out as a receptionist before moving on to work in the accounting department. In 1982, she was promoted to controller, and still holds the position today. After 33 years, Sheila has enjoyed being a part of the many changes and challenges in WSA’s journey.

Vicky Andress (Manager Recycle Enterprises)
Vicky has worked with the Winnifred Stewart Association for 28 years. After completing post-secondary schooling in Toronto and working at an institution in Whitby Ontario, Vicky moved to Edmonton. She began working at Cerwood Enterprises for the Winnifred Stewart Association and later moved on to work in Residential Services as a Program Coordinator, Service Coordinator, Supervisor, and Manager. Three years ago, Vicky became Manager of Recycle Enterprises.

Mary K Macdonald (Manager of Day Services)
Mary K completed her Developmental Services Worker Diploma in Brockville, Ontario in 1982. After graduation, she moved west to pursue a position with the government of Alberta, but soon came upon an opportunity with WSA. She began working at Res #2 as a full time Service Coordinator and has been part of the WSA family ever since.

Nadine Laurent (Manager of Residential Services)
Nadine has been the Manager of Residential Services since July 2007. She began her career as a residential careworker in B.C., eventually to become a program manager. In 2006, she moved to Edmonton to obtain better services for her daughter who is deaf. Though she tried a new career path when she arrived in Edmonton, she soon realized the developmental disabilities field is where her heart is, and jumped at the opportunity to work for WSA.

Candace Gerlack (Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator)
Candace has been working with WSA for the past six years. She began as a weekend support staff while completing the Rehabilitation Practitioner program at Grant McEwan College. After graduating, Candace continued to work in Residential Services as a Service Coordinator and then as a Supervisor until March of 2008 at which time she took on the position of Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator.

Claudia Verburgh (Director of Human Resources)
Claudia Verburgh is a certified Human Resources Professional with over 20 years of experience in organization development and human resources. Claudia joined the Winnifred Stewart leadership team in April 2009 as Director of Human Resources. She is active in the provincial HR community and is currently President of the Human Resources Institute of Alberta.