A Change in Leadership

As spring starts to rear it’s head, and we all wake up from a long winters’ slumber after another record breaking year, it is time to gear up for a new year of fundraising!

This year is going to see some incredible updates to Extra Life Edmonton. We are rebranding some of our visual elements on social media, reworking our website, and changing up our presence at events.

Perhaps the biggest update of all though, comes from our leadership team. After an amazing 6 years as president of Extra Life Edmonton, our beloved Lisa Hawthorne has decide to step away from the role. She is the longest running president of the guild, and has given over a decade of her life to fundraising and organizing this community. Lisa is synonymous with Extra Life Edmonton, and her contributions to this amazing cause cannot be overstated. Now, Lisa won’t be leaving completely (we won’t let her!). She will still be in the community, fundraising, attending events, playing in Game Nights, and of course, present at Game Day. She will also be staying on the organizing team in the role of “President Emeritus” – a title of distinction and honour, reflecting our undying gratitude for her years of service. She will also be serving as an advisor to our new president.

After a vicious, violent, and voracious battle of Mario Party, Lisa made a choice as to her successor. She has asked that I step into the role of president.

For those who don’t know me, hi! My name is Cade Bengert, and I have been fundraising with Extra Life Edmonton since 2014. I started with the organizing team in 2019 as a social media assistant, and have had a different title and role every year since! When I’m not Extra Life-ing, I am a high school English teacher in Wetaskiwin, an amateur guitar builder, and a full-time dog-dad. I’m looking forward to this new role, and helping guide the team to a new phase of growth. I have an incredible team of organizers and volunteers around me, who are just as passionate about helping kids and families in need as I am.

Thank you everyone, and keep an eye out for the exciting stuff coming from us in the near future!