About the Board
Economic Development Lethbridge is an arm’s length organization, supported by the City of Lethbridge, governed by a 31-member volunteer Board of Directors and managed by a team of professionals dedicated to promoting economic prosperity in Lethbridge. EDL Board Members are drawn from a diverse cross-section of the community with the intention of best accomplishing the mandate and objectives of the organization.
As a governance Board, members are tasked with:
- setting the strategic direction for the organization through four-year business plans aligned with the municipal funding cycle
- providing direction, proactive leadership and sector-based expertise
- establishing governance policies that support the mandate of the organization
- hiring and evaluating the CEO
Meet Our Board

President
Adriana Mercader
Adriana was born in Mexico City. In 2008 she immigrated to Canada. Adriana (BMgt, MSc, MBA) joined Flexahopper Plastics Ltd in 2009 as Director of Marketing. She was promoted to Corporate Vice-President in 2015 and then Chief Executive Officer in 2022. Since taking the company under her direction, Flexahopper has become an internationally recognized brand, generating record sales growth. Adriana has positioned this pillar of the Lethbridge business community as the top rotomolder in the Pacific Northwest.
Adriana was awarded Lethbridge’s Top 40 under 40, in 2018, by the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, making her the first immigrant woman bestowed with this recognition. She has served on several other industry boards as part of her ongoing effort to help what she calls “her city”, rise- up. she recently was accepted as a member of the University of Lethbridge Senate.
In her extensive repertoire of interests, she is a voracious reader and is passionate about the outdoors. The best part of her life are her two rambunctious kids that keep her on her feet.

Vice-Chairman
Mayor Blaine Hyggen
Blaine Hyggen was first elected to City Council in 2013 and was elected Mayor in 2021. He has owned and operated various businesses throughout the community for the past 28 years. He studied Business Law and Accounting at Lethbridge Community College.
Some of Blaine's past and current volunteer experience includes: School Councils, Lethbridge Figure Skating Club, Lethbridge Volleyball Association, Lethbridge Oldtimers Sports Association and The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club, to name a few.
Blaine's family is his number one priority. His wife Jennifer is a Registered Nurse and they have two daughters: Jayden and Jelayna. Blaine enjoys attending local theatre and staying active by running, biking and playing hockey.
As a proud parent and successful business owner, Blaine loves Lethbridge and wants to see it remain the best city for families while ensuring it is a great place to do business.

Past-President
Kevin Brees
Kevin was raised in Lethbridge and Calgary, returning to Lethbridge to originally attend the University of Lethbridge. Kevin quickly realized that his passion was in retail and shortly thereafter began his journey in management with Famous Players, Chapters and then the Forzani Group before starting with Primaris Management Inc. in 2006. Starting in Marketing and Specialty Leasing, he has been the General Manager of Park Place Shopping Centre since 2012. During his tenure, Kevin has since gone on to pursue specialized designations as a Certified Retail Executive, Certified Leasing Specialist, and a Certified Shopping Centre Manager from the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Kevin is married to his amazing wife Lyndsey, enjoys spending time with their dogs, travelling to Vegas and Hawaii and golfing in the summer. As an engaged member of our community, he has previously represented the Retail Sector for EDL, sat on several committees for local non-profit organizations as well as the city and currently is a board member of the Downtown BRZ and the Canadian Yoga Institute
Agriculture/Agrifood
John Ross
Airport
Vacant
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Mary Ann Crow Healy
Chamber of Commerce
Charlene Scheffelmair
City of Lethbridge Councillor
Ryan Parker
City of Lethbridge Mayor
Blaine Hyggen
City of Lethbridge Manager
Lloyd Brierley
Community & Social Services
Robin James
Construction
Evan Barr
Education
Allison Purcell
Environment
Shannon Frank
Financial & Professional Services
Terry Belisle
Health & Wellness
Dr. Steven Ha
Hospitality & Tourism
Jody Young
Indigenous
Byron Jackson
Industrial & Manufacturing
Adriana Mercader
Lethbridge College
Jason Donkersgoed
Lethbridge County
Tory Campbell
Multicultural
Jan Gong
Nonprofit
Sandra Mintz
Real Estate & Development
Ken Harvie
Regional Economic Development
Bev Thornton
Retail
Jeremy Roden
Sector-at-Large
Vacant
Seniors
Keith Sumner
Sports/Recreation
Susan Eymann
Supply Chain & Logistics
Brent Peterson
Technology
Ed Limon
University of Lethbridge
Dr. Kerry Godfrey
Young Entrepreneur
Timothy Hachkowski
Young Professional
Ian Andrews

Did You Know?
The London Road Neighbourhood was one Lethbridge's first residential areas. Nearly half of the existing houses in the neighbourhood were built during 1890 to 1914.