Our People

It's about what we can do TOGETHER!

Helping our community help itself is a big job and requires coordination and passion. The staff on your local United Way team work hard to coordinate the many volunteers and donors that make United Way support available to Partner Agencies.

Our Staff

Jaci Zalesak
Executive Director
Jaci has always been passionate about her community.  She came to the United Way looking to volunteer and quickly joined the Board and the Allocations Committee.  In August 2022 Jaci was hired the role of Executive Director to carry the organization forward. Jaci holds a Canadian Society of... more

Jackie French
Resource Development Manager
Jackie has extensive years of experience creating and producing events, talent buying, booking acts and producing concerts and entertainment. Jackie also has many years of experience in sales, selling facility space of all sizes indoor and outdoor, as well as selling a variety of shows from large... more

Ali Siees
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Ali is a dedicated member of the team at United Way. He brings a wealth of passion and dedication to the organization, with a deep-rooted commitment to supporting community and social entrepreneurship. Growing up with strong moral values of helping others and giving back, Ali has been involved in... more

Board of Directors

Krysty Thomas
President & Labour Liaison
As President of the Lethbridge and District Labour Council, Krysty was asked to serve on United Way’s Allocations Committee as a labour liaison in 2019, after which she was invited to join the Board. In 2020 she took on the additional role of chair of the Impact Committee and in 2022 became the... more

Crystal Good Rider
Vice-President
Crystal Good Rider grew up on the Piikani Nation - part of the Blackfoot Confederacy - until she was 18 years old. Her Blackfoot name is “iidoomestayaiiki” (Dives First Woman). Crystal’s parents are Judy Wings-Crop Eared Wolf & Chris Good Rider. Her maternal grandparents are Ruth Wings &... more

Catherine Filgas
Treasurer
Catherine is a lifetime Lethbridge resident and an active volunteer in the community. She attended the University of Lethbridge and obtained a CGA designation. Upon joining the United Way board of directors in 2018, she put those skills to work as the Treasurer. Giving time and skills is an... more

Stephen Onyango
Director
Stephen is the owner of Legend Production Films Inc. Stephen went to school at the University of Multimedia in Kenya then came to Canada to further his education and graduated from the New Media Program at The University of Lethbridge. He is actively involved in the community, serving on a variety... more

Lori Harasem
Director
Lori Harasem is the Health Promotion Coordinator at Lethbridge College.  She started this new-to-her position in the summer of 2022, after one month shy of 19 years with the City of Lethbridge where she spent time supporting not-for-profits, and identifying and addressing gaps and needs around... more

Bailey Kester
Director
Bailey earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Lethbridge. Throughout this time, she enjoyed her work in mental health crisis support and different roles within Lethbridge’s volunteer community. Bailey then moved to Queensland, Australia where she completed her law degree... more

Mark Scheffelmair
Director
I am currently working as an Inclusive Child Care Coordinator and Behaviour Consultant with Key Connections Consulting. Working in the human services field has allowed me to familiarize myself with various community agencies and programs while supporting diverse clientele in Lethbridge. I believe... more

Molly Pletsch
Director
Molly grew up in Okotoks Alberta; upon graduating high school she pursued her post-secondary education in Lethbridge where she fell in love with the community. After college graduation, Molly returned to Okotoks/Calgary and began her career but always imagined returning to Southern Alberta to... more