23 Wendy

Born in Winnipeg, Wendy moved to Edmonton at an early age, attending Ross Sheppard High School and the University of Alberta. She obtained a Bachelor Degree in Arts and a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science.

She married in 1975 and raised two sons.

Wendy was elected to Edmonton City Council in 1995. She represented what was then Ward One in the city’s west end. After two terms, she retired in 2001.

Wendy came to City Council after a successful career in the Alberta public service that saw her rise to Assistant Deputy Minister in the Department of Labour and, later, Executive Director of the Alberta Human Rights commission.

Prior to her election to Council, she served on the Edmonton Public Library Board, the Citizen’s and Expert’s Committee on Water and the Transportation Master Plan Advisory Committee.

Wendy believes that giving back to your community is essential and views her tenure on Council as the most important example of that. Membership on council afforded her the possibility to positively influence the policies and programs that would influence the city at the time and into the future. An example of this is the revitalization of the rapid transit system. During her time on Council she also contributed to the development of sports facilities, the Anthony Henday Ring Road, the 156 street overpass. She was also part of the organizing committee that staged the 2001 IAAF Championships in Athletics. Perhaps the most important part of her tenure on Council was the ability to assist communities in her Ward in achieving their goals. Being a part of the activities in her community, and to be part of the celebrations, large and small, were a personally rewarding and enriching part of her time on Council.

Subsequently, Wendy has been a member of the Senate of the University of Alberta and in that role as a member of the Board of Governors. She was Chair of the Board of Governors of NorQuest College and a founder of the 1000 Women, a Million Possibilities movement that raised several million dollars in support of the students of the College.

Source: Bio supplied by Wendy Kinsella