Who We Are
The Yellowknife Community Foundation was formed in 1993 to provide interested individuals and organizations with a means of supporting projects in our community for the enduring future. Our vision is to be a catalyst for sharing, supportive, and connected communities.
The Yellowknife Community Foundation is a charitable organization that inspires and enables impactful giving in Yellowknife and the NWT. We strive to align donor interests and community needs through evidence-based grant-making, fundraising, strategic investment, public education, and community relations.
The Foundation is not dedicated to any specific area of support. In carrying out our mission to identify and address community needs, grants are made to organizations across the NWT in support of projects which: advance the welfare of the needy and alleviate human suffering and poverty: assist and promote arts and cultural activities, sport, recreation and community development; advance education; assist and advance the provision of medical services; and assist and advance other community activities or facilities of a charitable nature.
The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors of respected community leaders who are appointed by a committee of community representatives.
Laurie Gault
Director, Technology Service Centre – Education: Bachelor of Commerce, Queen’s University; Masters Certification in Project Management.
Laurie joined the Technology Service Centre (TSC) in January 2008 as Manager of Client Services and has fulfilled the Director’s role since January 2009. Prior to joining the GNWT, Laurie had 20 years’ experience in Information Technology and Project Management at Bell Canada. She has significant experience in systems development, project management and process development. Laurie was directly involved in leading-edge digital telecommunications and broadband solutions for residential and business customers in southern Ontario.
During her tenure at TSC, Laurie has overseen the ongoing expansion of the GNWT municipal, territorial and internet networks across the NWT, as well as the evolution of desktop, telecom and mobile technology to approximately 5000 Government, Agency and Board staff. The Division works closely with all GNWT departments to deploy and support core applications and programs for internal staff and NWT residents. The TSC has partnered on major initiatives including Devolution, Mackenzie Valley Fiber Link, the new Stanton Hospital and strategic Departmental amalgamations.
In addition to the Yellowknife Community Foundation, Laurie volunteers for many community events and enjoys exploring all that the north has to offer.
Meaghan Brackenbury
Meaghan truly believes in the power of a vibrant, resilient community connected through generosity and kindness. Needless to say, she’s thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to this exact mission with the Yellowknife Community Foundation.
Originally from Perth, Ontario, Meaghan graduated from Carleton University in 2020 with a Combined Honours in Journalism and Human Rights. She was instantly drawn to the North after taking a 6-week internship with local newsroom, Cabin Radio. Three years later, she’s still here – and loving every minute.
Meaghan is now working as the community outreach coordinator for YWCA NWT, advocating on important issues in the territory such as gender-based violence, domestic abuse, and housing insecurity. It’s been an incredibly eye-opening experience, and she’s eager to continue learning and growing.
When she’s not working, Meaghan loves to spend time reading a good book, noodling around on her guitar, and exploring the outdoors with her beloved dog, Tseni.
Sara Brown
Raised in Yellowknife, Sara started out in construction and consulting working with communities as clients. Sara took her first job as a Municipal Engineer and then Town Manager in Iqaluit over 25 years ago. Sara has dealt with the varied issues facing various communities as Senior Administrative Officer, Manager of Engineering, Director of Public Works and By-law.
Sara is now Chief Executive Officer of the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and is enjoying on the issues that are important to NWT communities and working to assist them as much as possible. On a professional level, Sara has been volunteering with the development of numerous northern infrastructure standards and on various committees of NAPEG.
Sara has been involved with various board such as the Yellowknife International Airshow and the Old Townglass Works since returning back to Yellowknife as well as assisting the Alzheimer’s Society.
Lana de Bastiani
Lana was born and raised in Yellowknife. Lana has a degree in Psychology from Trent University and a Masters in Education from the University of Northern British Columbia.
Before joining the Yellowknife Community Foundation board, Lana served as the Director of Youth and Alumni with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Lana was the 2014 recipient of the Lilly Borges-Oldham Language Scholarship and looks forward to giving back to the next generation of students.
In her spare time, Lana enjoys spending time camping, going on adventures with her dog and is a best-selling northern children’s book author.
Patrick Wrigglesworth
Patrick Wrigglesworth is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in government administration and financial operations. Currently serving as a Senior Policy Analyst with the Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT), Patrick’s roles have included managing the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund, providing expert energy analysis, and handling financial operations within various GNWT departments. His expertise spans policy development, financial management, and strategic coordination.
Patrick served honourably in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves for eight years, gaining valuable leadership experience. He is a lifelong Yellowknifer, actively involved in his community as a board member of the City of Yellowknife Heritage Committee and a dedicated referee for the NWT Soccer Association. His past roles include head coach and team captain for local soccer clubs.
Patrick is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce from Athabasca University, building on his Diploma of Business Administration from Aurora College. Passionate about organizational optimization, policy writing, and data and financial analysis, he enjoys outdoor activities, reading, and cooking curry in his spare time.
Roman Asmundson
Stephen Dunbar
Stephen is a born and raised Yellowknifer. A graduate of Trent and Carleton University, Stephen is currently serving as the Chief Electoral Officer of the Northwest Territories. Prior to this appointment, he worked for over ten years at the Legislative Assembly, as an advisor to a Premier, three Ministers, and Director of Research and Committee Advisory Services.
Outside work, Stephen is busy raising two children with his partner, and an active coach at the Yellowknife Ski Club, and with Team NWT at many Arctic Winter Games and Canada Winter Games.
Megan Holsapple
Megan is originally from the east coast and moved to the Northwest Territories to work as a CBC reporter in 2000. She has been living in Yellowknife since 2003, and has focused on gender equity: increasing diversity in public governance, researching programs that improve access to family justice services, and leading a trauma-informed information liaison unit for families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Megan’s main claim to fame is that she was the first person to Nordic walk over the Deh Cho Bridge, a feat she accomplished by showing up on opening day with her walking sticks and staying at the front of the crowd in case someone else had the same idea. Her secondary claim to fame is that whenever she visits a new community, she takes a picture of herself in front of the local church. This started as an in-joke with her dad, but the “church selfies” confused so many people she decided to document all of her travels in this way.
In her spare time, Megan adds more layers so she doesn’t freeze during her long winter walks, practices her Aeropress coffee technique, and tries to get her son to call her back.
Robin Greig
Born in Hamilton Ontario and educated in London Ontario (Fanshawe College), Robin is a long-term resident of Yellowknife moving here in 1978 to work for Stanton Yellowknife Hospital in the Medical Laboratory. He has been married for over 34 years to Colleen and together they have raised two adult sons.
Professionally, Robin has worked all his career with the Stanton Territorial Health Authority. He started as a Medical Laboratory Technologist and later became the Manager of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services. During this time Robin served as a Director at large on the Canadian Society of Transfusion Medicine board.
Robin retired after 34 years in the fall of 2012 from the Stanton Territorial Health Authority from the position of Director of Operations.
Robin has been actively involved for over 25 years in short speed skating at the local, territorial, national and international level. He has served terms on both the Yellowknife Speed Skating Club as the Coach Coordinator and the NWT Amateur Speed Skating Association as the Coach/Officials Coordinator. Robin currently is a certified Level 2 coach and Level 3 Referee.
Robin enjoys playing hockey, snowshoeing, cycling, fishing and gardening.
Marta Moir
Originally from Ontario, Marta moved to Yellowknife in 1991. She is married and has two adult children who were born and raised in Yellowknife.
Educated in Ontario in Computer Science and Systems Development, her 35 year career with various private and public organizations has provided her with a variety of experiences in the Information Technology and Information Management field. During her career, she held management and leadership positions in a variety of sectors and attained certifications in Change Management and Project Management. Prior to retiring in 2020, she was the Director of Informatics and Health Technology with the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority.
Marta enjoys the outdoors, travelling and she is a competitive curler. In her spare time she volunteers for various local groups and is delighted to join the Yellowknife Community Foundation and its work to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Yellowknife.
Korry Garvey
Korry moved to Yellowknife from Ontario in 2019. She has a degree in Arts and Science from McMaster University, a Social Service Worker diploma from Northern College, and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration from Thompson Rivers University. Since moving to the Northwest Territories, Korry has worked and volunteered within the social services field supporting children in care and assisting youth and adults experiencing homelessness. In her previous role at a planning consulting firm, she worked closely with an Indigenous-led housing organization in Fort Good Hope, focusing on housing initiatives that took into account the broader social determinants of health. Korry’s approach to work is rooted in equity, with an emphasis on ensuring that all voices are heard and valued. In Yellowknife, Korry volunteers and participates in various arts and culture events, plays many sports, and loves to be outside with her dogs.
Alexander Weir
Alexander was born and raised in Yellowknife. He studied Linguistics at Concordia University, has a certification in web development, and is working to become a second-year apprentice electrician. He has released three hyperpop albums under the name lilamancy, available now on all major music platforms. Alexander loves the quiet nature of life in the North and the close friendships it fosters.
Check out Alexander’s 2022 performance at Folk on the Rocks!
Alexander Legaree
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