Board Chair
Sarah Elizabeth Chaudhary has one child attending CAPE. Sarah is an American who immigrated to Canada in 2005 and settled in Medicine Hat. Sarah obtained her undergraduate degree at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her law degree at Vanderbilt University Law School in Nashville, Tennessee. She was called to the Alberta Bar in 2008 and practiced general law at Sihvon, Carter, Fisher and Berger LLP until 2010, when she started her own criminal law practice. In 2011, she became the Medicine Hat Standing Agent for the Director of Public Prosecutions. In that role she prosecuted drug offences until 2016.
Vice Chair
Syed Naqvi has been living in Medicine Hat since 2005. He attended Medicine Hat High School and completed all of his studies at University of Alberta and Concordia University. He started working in Lac La Biche, Alberta, in 2012 but moved back to Medicine Hat in 2013 and has been working in Public Health with AHS ever since. He has two daughters; 5 years old and 19 months old. His older daughter started CAPE in September 2022 in Kindergarten. He is currently on the Board of Directors of Saamis Immigration. He is looking forward to being involved with CAPE’s Board of Directors as it affords him the opportunity to contribute to the school.
Treasurer
Natasha is the proud parent of three children who are all attending CAPE School. They range in grades from 4-9. Natasha has volunteered with CAPE School in a variety of roles from being a parent voice at the CAPE School Council meetings, to helping in the classroom, to organizing the hot lunch program. She is also a past CAPE School Board member. Her current role with CAPE School is CAPE School Council Board Liaison. She has received her B.A – Psychology and B.Mgt – Human Resources Management from the University of Lethbridge. This lead to a career in banking specializing in investing and credit services.
Secretary
My name is Aidé Hilsendeger. I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. I came to Canada 20 years ago, then I married my soulmate whom I met at the resort where I was working as a Bilingual Secretary-Manager’s Assistant. I have two beautiful children 14 and 17 years old. My connection with CAPE school is through my mother in law, Carol Hilsendeger, who recently retired after 39 years of teaching. I strongly believe in what CAPE stands for. I am pleased that CAPE focuses on academic and personal growth, so that a child has the opportunity to reach their potential with learning plan designed for them.
In my home country I worked in several large companies and organizations, including the Autonoma de Guadalajara University. In Canada, I volunteered at schools and non profit organizations including CAPE School. I was board member at Tiny Tots preschool, lunch volunteer coordinator at IF Cox school, and Scouts leader in Redcliff. Presently, I work as a Community Connections Coordinator at Saamis Immigration, where I assist newcomers in integrating in Medicine Hat and the community. I am in charge of the recruitment, training, and ongoing support of volunteers and newcomers participants in the program, including individuals, families and youth, I also organize programs and events that support newcomers with their resettlement and adjustment to their new community.
I am thankful for the opportunity to become a Board Member at CAPE school. I look forward to contributing to CAPE’s continued success.
Board Member
Ryan moved to Medicine Hat in 2013 to be closer to family and currently has one niece and one nephew attending CAPE. He graduated from Edwards School of Business at the U of S with a Degree in Business Management. Ryan has over 15 years of experience in IT Systems Engineering across Healthcare, Education, Government, and Petrochemicals.
Board Member
Barry is a retired educator and administrator, and a specialist in cultural heritage, tourism and media. His career has included service to the Medicine Hat Public Schools, Olds College and Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. He has also been a private sector business owner in the entertainment and tourism industry.
From 2005 to 2017, as Executive Director of the Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District, Barry led the re-development of the Medalta Potteries, the Medicine Hat Brick & Tile and the Hycroft China factories in the creation of a major museum, arts, education and tourism complex for Southern Alberta, and the establishment of the Shaw International Centre for Contemporary Ceramics. From 2015 to 2017, he also served as Chair of the Board of the Plainsman Clays Ltd. group of companies, which mines and processes clays for artisanal and industrial use across North America.
Barry currently sits as a member of the Medicine Hat Subdivision & Development Appeal Board, volunteer director on both the Medicine Hat Education Foundation and the Medicine Hat Games Society, and serves as Treasurer for the Western Canada District of Kiwanis International. Provincially, he has served as a council member for the Alberta Order of Excellence, President of the Alberta Museums Association, public member on both the Premier’s Council on Culture and the Alberta College of Medical Laboratory Technologists. He is a past Chair of the City of Medicine Hat’s Arts & Heritage Advisory Board and Economic Development Advisory Board, as well as a past member of working committees of the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede. Barry was also a board member and regular contributor to the award winning Expression magazine and wrote a weekly independent column for the Medicine Hat News from 2001 to 2008. He is a Mel Osborne Fellow, awarded by the Kiwanis Foundation of Canada.
Board Member
In my life outside CAPE, I am involved in a number of activities. I sit on a few committees, I am on the Planning Commission in Cypress County, and I am in charge of people and safety at a local playground manufacturer. I have been a proud CAPE parent for 9 years, with two graduates and one child still attending. In my time at CAPE I have been involved in projects like the School Council, fundraising, hot lunch, Scholastic books, Science Fair, and the move and construction of the playground. I love the philosophy and values at CAPE and I look forward to working with the team to keep the school a great place to grow!
Board Member
I am employed by the City of Medicine Hat as a Planning Engineer within the Municipal Work Department. My journey to Canada began in 2012, and I relocated to Medicine Hat in 2013 after initially residing in Ontario. Since then, Medicine Hat has become our beloved home. My family consists of two boys who are currently attending high school, and my wife works at the local pharmacy. During my leisure time, I take great pleasure in playing both pickleball and tennis.
Board Member
Michelle Mayer and her husband ranched near Manyberries for over 35 years. They raised two sons, both of whom attended CAPE School once the Manyberries School was triple graded from September 2001 to June 2004. Michelle did chemical research at DRDC Suffield, both as a contractor and an employee, for over 30 years. Throughout this time, she also volunteered in a variety of groups and organizations. She is now retired and enjoys weaving, gardening and line dancing.
