Strategic Advisory Board

Matt Brister is the Chair of the Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) for the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. Prior to his appointment as Chair in 2023, Matt has been a member of the SAB since 2011. In addition to his valued work on the SAB, Matt also serves on the Cumming School of Medicine’s Dean’s Advisory Board. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Calgary. Matt has been CEO and Director of a number of energy companies throughout his career and is currently the President of Bison Low Carbon Ventures Inc., a carbon storage project developer. He is a passionate healthcare and education volunteer and philanthropist.

Dr. Mark Anselmo, MD, serves as the Calgary Zone Medical Director for Alberta Health Services, and is responsible for the overall clinical operations in the Calgary Zone, including physicians and practitioners. He is also associate professor of pediatrics at UCalgary’s Cumming School of Medicine, and an associate member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute.

In addition to his contributions on the Snyder Institute's Strategic Advisory Board, Dr. Anselmo serves on the Boards of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Calgary Health Foundation. His clinical interests include asthma, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary hypertension. He earned his medical degree from the University of Alberta, underwent his residency training at the University of Saskatchewan and pulmonary fellowship training at Harvard University. Dr. Anselmo is a patient-focused leader who is committed to patient safety and the overall wellness of patients, physicians, and staff.

Irene Bakker is the Honorary Consul of the Netherlands in southern Alberta, and President of Netherlands Investment Company of Canada Ltd. An active and dedicated volunteer, Ms. Bakker is also Board President of the Mountainview Festival of Song and Chamber Music Society in Calgary.

Don Brownie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Calgary. In addition to his career in consulting, Mr. Brownie was the Executive Director of the Calgary Transportation Authority, President and CEO of the Calgary Economic Development Authority, and a Board Member of the Calgary Airport Authority, which he helped establish. He is a founding Board Member of the Van Horne Institute.

Harvey Doerr is a professional engineer who was raised and educated in Alberta and worked in the energy industry both in Canada and United States. His working career saw him assigned to roles of increasing responsibility at Hudson’s Bay Oil and Gas, Husky Energy, and ultimately Murphy Oil. After retiring as a senior executive from Murphy in 2009, Harvey continued his career as a professional director, serving a number of public, private and not-for-profit organizations. From 2012 until 2018 he was a board member of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, and he was elected Chair for the last two years of his time there. Harvey earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta, completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School and holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Dr. Chris Mody is a professor and respirologist who has a particular interest in patients with infectious and immunologic lung disease. He served two terms as the Division Chief for Respirology in the Calgary Zone of AHS and then as the Head of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases in the Cumming School of Medicine. He is a fellow of the Canadian Academy for Health Sciences. He served on the Board of Directors for the Alberta Lung Association and Cystic Fibrosis Canada. His passion is to take critical clinical questions to the lab, understand the basic immunologic mechanisms of defence and bring that knowledge to the patient's bedside to enhance patient care. 

Patricia Moore is a lifelong Calgarian, a former teacher, and an Officer of the Order of Canada. Ms. Moore has served as Board Chair of the Calgary Library Foundation, in addition to working with the Calgary Zoo Foundation, the Banff Centre and many other organizations throughout her enduring community involvement as a dedicated and hands-on volunteer and philanthropist.

Stuart O’Connor is a businessman, entrepreneur, ranch-hand, lawyer, and engineer who is currently the executive chair and co-founder of Arcurve Inc., a full-service technology, advisory and software development company. A dedicated and energetic community member, Stuart is the past-Chair of Hull Services and serves on the Board of Directors of the Calgary Stampede and Beakerhead Creative Society. He is on the Advisory Roundtable for The Platform Innovation Centre, a hub dedicated to supporting start-ups and entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey. Stuart was the President of Merak Projects Ltd., an international software company; a former Partner at Bennet Jones, a national law firm; the Chairman of Flint Energy Services Ltd. and a co-founder of various other companies in oil and gas, financing, and real estate.

Bill Sembo, former Chair of the Snyder Institute's Strategic Advisory Board since 2009 and current board member, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Calgary. In addition to his long career in energy investment banking, Mr. Sembo has been a tireless healthcare volunteer and philanthropist for many years, and was chair of the Calgary Health Foundation from 2016 to 2020. He was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2022.