President –Tanya Saban – Tanya lost her brother to Sarcoidosis in 2012. In 2011 she had realized there was a major need for Sarcoidosis awareness in Alberta and Canada in general. She started the golf tournament in 2011 to help fund research in to this little known disease which has since become an annual fund raising activity for Sarcoidosis research in Canada. Tanya has worked with several non-profit groups, loves event planning and giving back to the community. Tanya is a small business owner with a strong background in insurance, project management and coordinating social groups. She brings a unique point of view to the team. Tanya has stepped up as the President of the Organization for the next chapter for CSO as Cher Weisgerber steps back into a supporting role in the organization going forward.
Vice President – Emma Saban – Emma comes to the board as the proud niece of Chad Weisgerber. She is our youngest board member but brings big contributions as our new Vice President. Emma has amazing organizational skills, patience and group leadership from working at the Montessori School in Okotoks. Her customer service skills are second to none and her artistic ability is put to good use. She is our fresh new eyes for the next generation.
Secretary – Sundae Ranger – Sundae lost her mother to Sarcoidosis in 2002 when this disease was virtually unknown. Wanting to become involved and with encouragement from her employer and the insurance industry, Sundae found the Canadian Sarcoidosis Organization. She is passionate about her involvement with this group in helping to increase knowledge and awareness in the community.
Treasurer – Ella Carpino –
Additional Directors at Large
Todd Weisgerber – Todd has a background in almost all areas of Information Technology and has been working in the industry since 1990. An avid golfer at times and has been involved with IT management, golf tournament coordination, martial arts instruction, and working with several non-profit organizations previously. Todd is here to help the board with all of their technology needs and working with the Golf committee to help put on a successful Golf Tournament Fundraiser every year.
Mark Anderson – Mark is a software programmer who also does many IT support functions from remote server management to network and security troubleshooting. He has a background in music and does some estate management as well. He has joined the board to help out with IT functions for the CSO and assist in other aspects with promoting Sarcoidosis awareness.
Carmen Jeffery – Carmen has been the photographer for the golf tournament for the past 3 years. Carmen brings enthusiasm to raise funds for awareness and treatment of sarcoidosis through here vast social contacts. She has many years employed in the banking industry and is always willing to help anywhere in the community that she can.
Stacey Jessamine – Workhorse and Super supporter
Enzo Carpino – Golf Aficionado, Shadow Helper
Judy Sherwood – Our Newest Board Member! Bio coming soon!
Cher Weisgerber – Previously President and one of CSO’s Founders. Currently an acting director with CSO. (See below for more details).
Past President(Director at Large) – Without whom we would not have been able to get to where we are today as a successful organization.
Cher Weisgerber – Cher’s son Chad passed away from Sarcoidosis in May 2012. It is with a strong devotion to raising awareness for Sarcoidosis that she started the Canadian Sarcoidosis Organization in 2016 and brought our amazing team together. She has spent many years committed to Sarcoidosis groups and has helped with the Annual Golf Tournament raising funds since 2011. Recently she has been invited to join a new global board of directors being formed for Sarcoidosis awareness with the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (F.S.R) out of Chicago in the United States and continues to be a guiding light in promoting awareness. Cher ran a successful insurance brokerage started in 1991 and has since sold and retired. She brought a wealth of experience through volunteer activities such as parish council, Calgary Legion board of management, Calgary Board of Education volunteer, Hockey Mom coordinator, Brownie Leader, travel coordinator and entrepreneur to our team.
Past Directors – we would also like to acknowledge our former directors for all of their efforts in growing the organization. We couldn’t have made it so far without them!
- Tom and Angela Pirie
- Garrick Grosskamper
- Natalie Laurencelle
- Bryce Chinook
- Ryan Krutzfeldt
- Norm Berard
Special Thanks to Sharon Berard for her timely assistance in a time of need.