Cody Topp
Chair/ Conference Chair / Light on Afterschool Chair
I have been extremely fortunate and humbled that over the past 10 years, I have been able to participate in and help lead the important work SACDA has accomplished for the sector here in Alberta. I have previously held both the Treasurer and Vice-Chair positions during this time.
From Developing the Lights On Afterschool Alberta movement, growing our IGNITE Conference from its infancy to Canada’s largest School Age Care Conference, ingraining myself in a number of child care advocacy groups representing School Age Programs, and being a part of every major SACDA advocacy and political conversation, I find myself in a position now to ask that members continue to trust my dedication to the field as the Chair position here at S.A.C.D.A.
My focuses over the next two years will be simple:
Build a stronger identity behind School Age programs across the province: Focusing on unity, advocacy, and the development of useful data and statistics.
Focus on developing our relationships: diversifying our community of programs, stakeholders, and like-minded agencies from across the province.
Developing opportunities for stakeholders and programs to connect and learn from each other: Share successes, struggles, resources, and support for each other.
As an owner of TOPP KIDS Out of School Clubs for the last 12 years, I have had the opportunity to personally work both on the front line of programs and program delivery as well as aligning myself with sector leaders, advocates, and organizations.
I am deeply passionate about delivering exceptional results for our sector, our professionals, their organizations, and the children they mentor.
As a father, School-Age Care advocate, and committed child care provider, I am focused on making SACDA the advocacy and professional development center of the School-Age Care Sector in Alberta- representing the amazing impact programs and educators make every day.
Irene Wood
Vice CHair
I have been in the role of Executive Director with the Edmonton Region Child Care Association for over 5 years.
Our Association operates not-for-profit child care for families with children aged 19 months to 12 years.
Each day we provide care to over 300 families in the City of Edmonton.
I am proud of our program and how we work within our various communities in Edmonton.
We have 90 educators who work with us each day varying from part-time to full-time educators.
Prior to this, my experience was with the YMCA of Northern Alberta (23 years) in Child Care, Human Resources, Disability Management, Payroll, Budgeting, and Training the workforce.
Presently, I also volunteer as President of my community league and have been in this role for the past two years.
I live in the community I grew up in and now that my children are only needing me for food and money I felt I could give some time back to my community.
It has been a great learning and an opportunity to cross-pollinate my experience of non-profit child care to the operations of a community league.
I am a MacEwan University alumni graduating from the Early Childhood program and Disability Management program.
I have also completed a Human Resource Degree with the University of Athabasca.
I look forward to contributing to SACDA and also increasing my skills and am excited to submit my application to the membership for the role of Vice-Chair.
Jessica Chiu
Secretary
My name is Jessica Chiu, and I have worked in the out of school care sector since 2000. I graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Education degree, and am currently the Executive Director of Mckernan Child Care Society in Edmonton. I strongly believe in advocating for children and high-quality child care in Alberta, as well as supporting leadership and professional development in our field. My belief in supporting high quality child care led me to do contract work with the Accreditation of Early Learning and Care Services (AELCS) for 10 years; First as a Validator, then as a Moderator, focusing specifically on out of school care programs. I firmly believe in the importance of education and life-long learning. SACDA does great advocacy work, and I am happy to support this organization through my role as Secretary.
Jennifer Sissons
Treasurer
Jennifer Sissons graduated from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1994 with a BA in Music Education, and minors in Kindergarten Education and Special Education. She has worked with children of all abilities, ages K-12, in music. After raising three children and finishing her Masters degree in Educational Supervision, Jennifer recognized that early childhood educators are like building blocks for learning. They help lay the foundation for education and discovery, for the rest of children's lives, which inspired her to work in an early childhood setting. Jennifer became a co-owner and teacher of A Child First Preschools over 10 years ago and after adding Out of School Care to their programs, Jennifer became a member of SACDA. She is excited to serve the Board through her role as Treasurer.
Humera Adeel
Multimedia Development & COMMUNICATION
Split Role
MS. Humera holds her Level 3 ECE Certification and has been working with the Little Leaders organization since 2010 and in Childcare for over 20 years. Humera was a Computer Science Educator back in her homeland.
Brandie Odenbach
Officer at Large / Laugh & Learn Chair
Brandie Odenbach is a Program Manager for Child Care and Child Minding with the YMCA of Northern Alberta. Brandie began her career in Child Care in 2008 at just 18 years old, thinking she would eventually pursue teaching as she took the Bachelor of Education degree program at the University of Alberta. However, Brandie’s passion for Early Childhood Education grew as she learned, and this led to Brandie staying in Child Care and pursuing the Early Learning and Child Care diploma program at Portage College. Brandie has been nominated multiple times for the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education by parents and fellow Educators, the YMCA’s Young Leaders award, and others. Brandie continues to aim to provide quality child care and effective leadership to the teams she supervises by maintaining a growth mindset and pursuing many professional development opportunities. Brandie leads the YMCA A Place to Connect curriculum training and the Truth and Reconciliation committee and is a fervent ally to the Indigenous community, including speaking at conferences about meaningful allyship. Brandie has an outgoing, fun-loving, goofy, straight-forward personality, who people have described as “summer in human form”. Brandie has many pets, and does agility with her dog, Enzo. You can also find Brandie making good use of her YMCA gym membership as she has had an interest in fitness since she was 13 years old. Brandie hopes you will say hi and tell her about yourself when you see her as she genuinely enjoys getting to know others and what makes them happiest.
Staci Wilson
Member at Large /Stakeholder Education Manager
Staci originally graduated from Mount Royal College in 1993 with her ECE Diploma and has had the privilege of working in many amazing childcare organizations in Alberta. She has worked with a wide variety of age groups throughout her career, but fifteen years ago, Staci stumbled into School Age and never looked back! Flash-forward to 2011, she became the Executive Director of Adventurers School Age Care and decided to upgrade her education by returning to school. Staci graduated in 2013 from Mount Royal University with a Bachelor of Applied Child Studies. Her other educational accomplishments include Leadership and Management, Children and Youth Human Rights, and Children's Mental Health. Staci is currently the President of Adventurers School Age Care and has served as SACDAs Chair for 10 Years. Staci is now looking to become a Member at Large and helping to continue her advocacy work for the sector.