Alberta / Northwest Territories / Nunavut

Manny Ahmad

President

Manny completed his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta in 2005 followed by specialized training in Medical Laboratory Sciences until 2007. He also holds a Bachelor of Environmental Health from Concordia University of Edmonton and a Master of Public Health from the University of Waterloo.

He has been working in healthcare since 2007 and specifically in the field of Public Health since 2009. Throughout his career, he has held specialized roles in CDC, outbreak management, community-based health care investigations and municipal affairs. He is currently a Manager in Environmental Public Health at Alberta Health Services – Central Zone.

Karah Harvey

President Elect

Karah Harvey is a certified public health inspector with over a decade of experience in the field. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology from Lakehead University and an after-degree in Environmental Health from Concordia University of Edmonton.

Throughout her career Karah has been actively involved with CIPHI. She served as Secretary for the Alberta Branch from 2015 to 2017 and as a member of the planning committee for the 2016 National Education Conference. In addition, she coached the CIPHI Alberta Gladi8aors team in the Row for Kids corporate challenge for three seasons. Most recently, Karah held the position of Chair of the Membership Committee for two years before taking on the role of President Elect.

Paul Kascak

Secretary

Paul graduated from Concordia University of Edmonton both in 2016 and 2018, obtaining two degrees in Cell and Molecular Biology and Environmental Health, respectfully. Since obtaining his CPHI(c) in 2018, he has worked with Alberta Health Services in the Calgary Zone as a Public Health Inspector in the rural, food, and built facilities teams.

Taking on the Branch Secretary position in 2021, Paul has been heavily involved with CIPHI working with the Executive to advance CIPHI's goals and objectives.

In his spare time, Paul enjoys spending time with friends, enjoying the outdoors, getting creative in the kitchen, and learning/experiencing new activities.

Leah Tomasevic

Treasurer

Leah graduated from the University of Alberta with a BSc in Biological Sciences in 2013. During her final year of her undergraduate studies, she was introduced to the field of Public Health which led her to pursue a degree in Environmental Health at Concordia University of Edmonton. Leah completed the program and was certified as a Public Health Inspector in 2015. Since 2015, Leah has worked in the Edmonton Zone in various program areas. Currently, she is a member of the Safe Built Environment team in Urban Edmonton where she enjoys the fast pace and “never a dull moment” work environment.

Leah has volunteered with CIPHI on workshop planning committees and helped complete Financial Audits for the Alberta Branch from 2017-2021. Leah was excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Executive Committee so she could give back to her profession through her work as the Alberta Branch Treasurer. She has also volunteered in the community as a Wish Grantor with the Make-a-Wish Foundation Northern Alberta Chapter since 2012 and has been involved in over 25 Wishes to date.

In her free time, Leah enjoys travelling and being outdoors. Her favorite activities include mountain biking, hiking and dragon boating in the summer, and skiing and snowboarding in the winter. She also enjoys escaping with a good book!

Ashley Yu

Northern Zone Councilor

Heya! I have been working in the north zone since my practicum and have loads of interesting experiences. I have been hauled off by a mall cop, locked in a walk-in freezer and of course yelled at numerous times. It has also been enjoyable to watch a business start from the ground up and flourish.

I took over the North Zone Councillor around 2021 and have helped with the Branch Awards. I have also assisted in various other committees for the branch on and off through the years. I have also been an BOC examiner for the last 5 years and have also helped with PDH audits. If you see me at an event, come say hello.

Also if you ever have a good ice cream spot to try, let me know.

See you around!

Katelyn Tran

Edmonton Zone Councilor

Katelyn graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Environmental Health (AD) from Concordia University of Edmonton. In between degrees she worked in research for the Department of Bioinformatics (Dalhousie); developing software for assessment and treatment of Chron’s and Colitis patients, and at the School of Public Health (University of Alberta); studying Campylobacter species in chicken. This work led her to discover the BEH program at Concordia, and ultimately set her on her path to becoming a certified Public Health Inspector. Marrying her love of Biology and her 16 years of restaurant industry experience, the career was a natural fit.

In her time with AHS, Katelyn has worked both in the Safe Food Department and the Rural Department, where she now holds a permanent position. During Covid-19, Katelyn was a part of several strike teams, including as Assistant lead for the School Team and a member of the Public Safety Compliance Team.

Katelyn brings past volunteer experience with Boyle Street Community Services and Habitat for Humanity, and currently assists with fundraising for Wounded Warriors Canada. She held the VP of Communications position with Concordia University of Edmonton and currently holds a Global Ambassador position with Dalhousie University and a Local Unit Executive position with Health Sciences Association of Alberta.

Andrew Kong

Central Zone Councilor

Andrew graduated from the University of Alberta and Concordia University of Edmonton with a BSc in Chemistry and a BEH(AD), respectively. He currently works as a Public Health Inspector at Alberta Health Services in Red Deer. During his leisure time, Andrew enjoys travelling and listening to music.

Rachel Burak

Calgary Zone Councilor

Amanda Hepp

South Zone Councilor

Amanda obtained a BSc in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Alberta in 2019 after which she worked with Alberta Health Services as a supervisor of patient food services. While working to ensure consistent, safe meals to patients and customers at 3 hospitals in Edmonton Zone, Amanda studied Environmental Health at Concordia University of Edmonton. She began working as a Public Health Inspector in High Level in 2020 gaining much experience amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Working in a rural and remote community with many diverse cultures, Amanda's passion for reducing health inequities strengthened. This is what led her to pursue a MSc - public health specialization at the University of Lethbridge and brought her to South Zone where she works part time as a PHI with AHS.

Ryan Boyd

Federal Zone Councilor

Ryan graduated from Mount Royal University in Calgary AB in 2016, earning a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Cellular and Molecular Biology. Directly after graduation, Ryan entered into the Bachelor of Environmental Health program at Concordia University of Edmonton. His first position after certification was working as a transfer EHO at Battle River Treaty 6 Health Center, a First Nations owned and operated Health Service provider located in North Battleford Saskatchewan. He spent 2 years working with the Nations around the Battleford area before accepting a position as an EPHO with First Nations Inuit Health Branch, Alberta Region.

In the past, Ryan has volunteered to help plan at CIPHI professional development conferences as well as to facilitate Mock BOC exams with the CIPHI Saskatchewan Branch. Ryan is looking forward to being given the opportunity to represent the Federal and Transferred Health Inspectors across Alberta, as well as being more involved with CIPHI.

In his spare time, Ryan enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and fishing and is always looking for his next adventure.

Chirag Rohit

Arctic Councilor

Chirag became a Certified Public Health Inspection in 2018 with Peel Public Health in Ontario. He joined the Government of Northwest Territories in 2019 as regional Environmental Health Officer in Hay River. He has been the Chief Environmental Health Officer since April 2022. Chirag is managing the Environmental Public Health program.

Born in India, Chirag is an international medical graduate who immigrated to Canada in 2013. Chirag attended Toronto Metropolitan University in 2016 and is currently getting his Masters in Public Health from the University of Victoria.

Chirag wants to bring the unique northern perspective to the broader CIPHI organization and wants to give back to the organization. Chirag has touched the Arctic Ocean and owes all his adventures to CIPHI. He is always happy to talk about life in territories and bust some myths.