Our Team

The Calgary Public Library Foundation empowers people to make a difference in their community.

All donations cultivate innovation and bring the Library to those who need it most. Since 2011, we have raised more than $60 million in support of the Calgary Public Library. Our 21,500 donors are helping to build a stronger Calgary.

Meet our team

  • Tracy Johnson

    Chief Executive Officer

    Tracy holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Calgary. During her time at the Library Foundation, she has provided strategic direction for the organization, led activities for the $350 million Add In Campaign, and worked closely with executive teams and Boards of both the Calgary Public Library and the Library Foundation. Tracy is a passionate leader who thrives when identifying new opportunities to engage with supporters and developing unique fundraising tactics.

    tracy@libraryfoundation.ca 403-397-3464

  • Joan Inwood

    Director, Corporate Operations

    As one of the original employees of the Library Foundation, Joan has had the pleasure of seeing the organization grow. In addition to managing the Library Foundation’s finances and human resources, Joan is part of the Executive Team and manages the Impact Team. Previously, she worked in the CEO’s Office at the Calgary Public Library, but her checkered past includes everything from radio DJ and cemetery worker to legal assistant.

    joan@libraryfoundation.ca 403-630-7805

  • Christine Gingerick

    Director, Donor Relations

    Christine grew up in Calgary and has been a passionate supporter of the Calgary Public Library since discovering Dr. Seuss! As the Director of Donor Relations, Christine ensures that donors are connected to the areas that matter most to them and are aware of the impact of their gifts. Prior to joining the Calgary Public Library Foundation, Christine was a seasoned financial services professional who worked for RBC Investor Services, Royal Trust and RBC Bank.

    christine@libraryfoundation.ca 403-681-4420

  • Robin Padanyi

    Donor Relations Officer

    Growing up walking to the library to read Roald Dahl books, Robin now gets to pass on that love of reading. Not a week goes by without Robin or his wife going to the Nicholls Family Library for story-time with their son or to pick up a recent stack of holds. Before joining the Calgary Public Library Foundation, Robin lived and worked in Edmonton’s inner city and saw firsthand the opportunities that the library offers to newcomers and the homeless community.

    robin@libraryfoundation.ca 403-978-7357

  • Alexandra Runge

    Donor Relations Officer

    Alexandra is a graduate of Ryerson University with a background in event management. She believes libraries like the New Central Library are vital to the quality, diversity and vibrancy of life in a global city. She is thrilled to be a part of the fabulous team working to usher in this historic chapter in the story of Calgary’s libraries.

    alexandra@libraryfoundation.ca 403-404-6334

  • Philip Vernon

    Development Officer Corporations, Foundations & Sponsorship

    As an Immunologist and a published author of crime fiction (writing as P. J. Vernon), Philip has spent most of his life in a library of one kind or another. In his grant development role, Philip is driven by the higher social purpose Libraries serve and the desire to tell the Library's story to funding organizations, policymakers and the public. A South Carolina transplant, Philip's thrilled to be living and working in Calgary alongside his partner and two wily pups.

    philip@libraryfoundation.ca 587-889-0307

  • Courtney McLaughlin

    Special Projects Manager

    Born and raised in Calgary, Courtney has many happy memories of time spent at the Louise Riley Library. After studying and working in Berlin and London, Courtney is thrilled to call Calgary home once again. At the Library Foundation, Courtney is proud to contribute to all broad-based annual giving programs and to lead on social enterprise initiatives.

    courtney@libraryfoundation.ca 403-221-1466

  • Gloria Essex

    Creative Director

    Gloria is the creative vision behind the Library Foundation. With a keen eye for detail and the ability to communicate an array of materials visually, she ensures that the Library Foundation is seen as relevant, important and appealing to Calgarians. Always up for a creative challenge, Gloria enjoys brainstorming and working as part of a dynamic team. She is a lover of art, design and musicals.

    gloria@libraryfoundation.ca 403-221-2016

  • Rachael Terner

    Communications Manager

    As a born and raised Calgarian, Rachael grew up visiting the Library and credits her love of reading for her decision to work in communications. In addition to developing proposals and materials for the Library Foundation, she curates content for internal and external audiences and is responsible for the voice of the organization. Rachael never tires of hearing people’s library stories, and working on the Library Foundation has highlighted the many ways that the Library not only changes people’s lives, but contributes to a better Calgary.

    rachael@libraryfoundation.ca 403-680-0626

  • Samantha Grace

    Database Administrator

    Samantha is the resident whiz of the Library Foundation’s database. Among her other duties, she manages incoming donations, provides support for Direct Mail Campaign and processes orders made through the Library Store. Outside of office hours, Samantha is a talented seamstress who creates her own costumes and is the proud owner of Miss Ursa, a rambunctious dog and a cat named Rinoa.

    samantha@libraryfoundation.ca 403-221-2014