Governance

Known in her professional life as a caring leader, Daigneault is no stranger to the ACC, or to the board of directors. She’s been a member for over 27 years and served over 13 years on the Board overseeing portfolios of Access & Environment, Mountain Culture and most recently the club’s governance through her role as club Secretary from 2014 to 2019, leaving the Board at the end of her term only to be back three years later, to help lead the ACC into the future, alongside a new Executive Director. Isabelle grew up in Quebec’s Eastern townships. Spending some of the formative years of her life in Toronto and Montreal, she spent many years climbing, hiking and skiing in the Laurentians and the Adirondacks. She now lives in Canmore with her husband and teen son Simon.

Climber, alpinist and skier for over 35 years. Throughout this time, mountain culture has provided Patrick a foundation for lasting friendships, community, and countless adventures. Climbing and alpinism, along with the values promoted by these pursuits and enshrined in the ACC, continue to inspire him.

Keith Sanford has held several positions on the Calgary Section board, including Vice Chairman and volunteer trip leader. Keith has served as the ACC representative on the board of the Canadian Alpine Centre in Lake Louise and has been the Calgary Section representative on the ACC’s board of directors (now Section Forum). He is an avid backcountry snowboarder (and sometimes skier), rock climber, alpinist and fly fisherman and has been an active member of the ACC for 18 years. In 2014 he received the Silver Rope for Leadership award for his activities with the Calgary Section.

Tim chairs the Mountain Culture Committee.

He works as an Indigenous A.C.M.G. guide who owns and operates Zùc’mn (Zuc’min) Guiding an Indigenous company that endeavours to advance Indigenous mountain knowledge and culture. His experiences, practices, narratives, and knowledge of living, working, and tramping in the mountains began with many (mis)adventures in the Columbia, Cascade, Coastal and Rocky Mountains.

Kathleen chairs the Leadership Development Committee and is a member of the Safety Committee.

She moved to Squamish 10 years ago, and quickly fell in love with mountain adventures. Kathleen joined the ACC in 2017, quickly becoming a trip leader with the Vancouver and Squamish Sections, and later Chair of the Squamish Section. She spends her summers rock climbing and her winters skiing, and tries to spend as much time in the alpine as possible. Kathleen is a not-for-profit executive, working with school districts and governments to foster healthier workplace environments in K-12 education.

John co-chairs the Access & Environment Committee.

He was born in Germany and came to Canada at an early age and has been a member of The Alpine Club of Canada for thirty years, participating in at least 20 GMCs. He retired from the practice of law in April 2022 and now divides his time between High River, Alberta, and the village of Tahsis on the west side of Vancouver Island, near Strathcona Provincial Park. He has written for the Canadian Alpine Journal and for Alpinist magazine and hopes to write more in the future. John is grateful for all that The Alpine Club has given him, what he’s been able to see and experience in our high places and the friendships that have been forged there. In his time on The Alpine Club Board, he hopes to repay a little of that great gift the mountains has given him.

Emilie represents the ACC’s 26 local sections on the board.

She has been a long time member of the ACC, with past experience in the ACC Governance Committee. When she’s not on Zoom calls, you can find her pursuing her passion for ice climbing near Golden, BC—her home base.

Cam is a Calgary-based investment professional with over 20 years of financial leadership and capital markets experience gained across a variety of industries in both public and private sectors.  Currently, as a principal at TOM Capital, Cam is involved in both private equity portfolio operations and the identification, analysis, and closing of new acquisition opportunities. Prior to joining TOM Capital, Cam gained direct operational experience as the Chief Financial Officer of a publicly traded manufacturing company and prior thereto served as Vice President, Corporate Development for an investment holding company with diversified operations across Canada.  Cam holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary and is a CFA Charterholder. Cam has been a member of the ACC’s Finance and Audit committee for approximately 10 years. Cam also served on the ACC board as Treasurer on an interim basis between December 2021 and June 2022.

Geoff Powter is a mountain writer and climber who has been connected to the Canadian mountain scene for more than 50 years. He has written numerous award-winning magazine features and books, and was the editor of the Canadian Alpine Journal for 13 years. Geoff was the recipient of the President’s Award from the ACC in 2007, and the Bill March Summit of Excellence Award for lifetime contribution to Canadian mountain culture in 2012. In his day job, Geoff is a leadership and planning consultant, and facilitated the 2025 Strategic Plan for the ACC.

He recently moved to Penticton after 40 years in Canmore.

Carine brings a diverse background to the ED role with more than 25 years of experience in executive management, corporate governance and leadership in the outdoor industry. Carine was most recently the CEO and co-founder of Mountain Path, a France-based company that works to develop responsible leadership within organizations through experiential learning activities in the mountains. Carine is fluent in French, English and Spanish and is actively involved in the local community, serving on the board of some of the Bow Valley’s not for profit organizations.