Tamar Epstein, Vermilion Energy general counsel, is a new board member
Legal Aid Alberta (LAA) announced the following appointments to its board of directors, effective Dec. 9: Brad Pickering as chair, David Linder as vice chair, and Tamar Epstein, Roseanne Carey, and Clint Warkentin as members.
LAA’s board may comprise a maximum of 11 members, including at least four members of the Law Society of Alberta and three public directors. Apart from the appointments that took effect after the organization’s annual general meeting, the board includes:
- Catherine Braeuer
- Jim Campbell
- Randy Mitchell
- Sonya von Heyking
- Amber-Dawn Boudreau
- Daniela O’Callaghan
In its news release, LAA thanked outgoing board chair Ryan Callioux and board members Owen Edmondson and Hilary Rose for their efforts to ensure all Albertans can access justice and fair representation.
LAA’s news release provided more information regarding the professional experience of the recent appointees.
Brad Pickering, Edmonton
In 2021, Pickering joined the board, bringing leadership experience from the provincial and municipal government sectors.
For 17 years, he held senior positions in the Alberta government, including deputy minister of the following ministries: municipal affairs; tourism, parks, and recreation; solicitor general/public security; and sustainable resource development.
Pickering served in the municipal government before commencing his career with the provincial government.
David Linder, Calgary
According to his profile on the LAA’s website, Linder joined the board in 2022.
He recently retired from the Alberta Securities Commission, where he was its executive director for over 25 years. He also served on executive committees of the Canadian Securities Administrators.
Before joining the securities commission, Linder worked as a partner at Parlee McLaws LLP in Calgary. He taught business law at the University of Calgary.
Tamar Epstein, Calgary
Epstein has over two decades of experience in legal practice and board governance, including as in-house counsel and an executive leader. She is general counsel and corporate secretary at Vermilion Energy.
She sits on the boards of Calgary Economic Development and the PREP Society and contributes to the advisory committee at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). She is also actively involved with the International Bar Association.
Epstein taught law-based courses at SAIT, Mount Royal University, and the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education.
LAA’s news release highlighted her commitment to continuous learning, mentorship, and stronger access to essential legal services across the province.
Roseanne Carey, Edmonton
Carey devoted most of her career to delivering strategic and advisory support to business clients. As chief financial officer of the University Hospital Foundation, she helps advance innovations in health and healthcare within the life sciences sector.
She is a chartered professional accountant. She used to run her own consultancy, through which she assisted clients across the technology, financial services, real estate, benefits, and not-for-profit sectors.
Carey served as chair and vice chair of the Mental Health Foundation’s finance committee.
Clint Warkentin, Calgary
Warkentin is a C-suite executive who has steered strategy and execution across publicly traded regulated utilities, private equity-backed energy companies, and global corporate environments for more than two decades.
He is a chartered professional accountant and was a corporate and investment banker. He has served on several international and subsidiary corporate boards and non-profits.
