Meet Your Community Futures West Yellowhead Team

General Manager
(780) 865-1224

Nancy moved to Jasper in 1997 for a summer job and has been living in Alberta ever since.  With a background in economic development in fisheries and women’s issues from growing up in Newfoundland, she loves the West Yellowhead region for its diversity in people, communities and geography. She has been manager of CFWY since 2012 and worked for the CF program prior to that time with Leadership West Yellowhead. Her passions include writing, reading, knitting, hiking, travelling, and of course, following her two children and husband around northern Alberta in a quest to see every hockey rink north of highway 16.

Business Analyst
(780) 725-2300

Heather grew up with her family’s small business in Newfoundland and moved to Edson in 1992. She loved the small-town feel so much, her and her husband decided to plant down roots and raise their family. Her love of community development, business, and politics started at a young age and reaches to her volunteer work. Her employment in community and regional economic development make her no stranger to Community Futures, having partnered with them in the past, as well as participating in the CEDAP and Leadership Programs. Heather enjoys traveling and reading, but can usually be found by a lake, camping, and fishing, or hanging out with her family and friends.

 Jasper Business Recovery Program Coordinator
(780) 865-1224

Allison moved to Brule in 2008 with her family before settling in Hinton in 2010. Eager to get involved and connect with her new community, she began volunteering immediately and has since held various board positions, including with the Hinton Chamber of Commerce. Outside of the office, Allison can often be found immersed in the many hobbies that bring her joy, from hiking and kayaking to photography and archery.

 Community Economic Development Coordinator
(780) 865-1224

Benita Smit (Passamare) was born and raised in Hinton, Alberta, with her family of origin dating back to the 1950’s in Hinton when the pulp mill was started, and the 1930’s in both Edson (Fossheim) and Cadomin (Passamare). Benita has a broad knowledge of economic challenges and opportunities faced by small business owners in the West Yellowhead Region and is passionate about sustainable development from social, economic and environmental perspectives. Benita hopes to facilitate enthusiasm and intentional dialogue with stakeholders around balancing social, environmental and economic needs of present and future human generations in the West Yellowhead Region. In 2012 Benita participated in the Community Futures Leadership West Yellowhead Program and was introduced to the rural economic development goals of the organization. Benita began working with Community Futures West Yellowhead in 2020 as a Project Manager and transitioned to Business Analyst in 2022. Benita holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Calgary, and a Certificate in Economic Development from the University of Waterloo. The Certificate in Economic Development is jointly issued by the University of Waterloo and the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC). Benita is also certified as a Community Futures Small Business Coach.