Introducing Ben Weinlick Skills' Next Executive Director

We are excited to introduce Ben Weinlick as our incoming Executive Director! I (Paige Reeves) had the chance to sit down with Ben and ask him a few quick questions about himself, what brings him to this work, and what we can expect from him in the coming months. Check out what he had to say in the introductory video below. Below you can also read the official announcement letter by Hart Chapelle, Board Chair. 

Letter from the Skills Society Board Chair

The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of our own Ben Weinlick as the next Executive Director of the Skills Society. Ben will assume his new responsibilities on February 11, 2019. He and Pat Conrad will work alongside each other until the end of February to ensure a smooth transition for the people supported by Skills and for all of our team members.

Ben has worked for the Skills Society for more than fifteen years in a number of capacities. In 2011, Ben assumed senior leadership responsibilities with Skills and has excelled each time additional duties have been added since then.

In 2007, Ben received a Disability Studies Diploma: Leadership and Community from MacEwan University. Then, in 2011 he completed his Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University in Victoria. His Masters research focused on enhancing creative problem solving in human service organizations. Ben has received numerous honours and awards while working in the disability service sector.

Ben is well known and respected across Canada for his commitment to people with disabilities, his curiosity, his creativity and his desire to move the yardstick as it relates to the inclusion of all marginalized citizens.

Clearly, this is a very good day for the Skills Society and the disability service sector. We finally have one of our own taking over the leadership of a large prominent organization. This is somewhat of a rarity, in that many large organizations in our sector have not been able to find senior leaders who have deep roots or any roots in disability services.

Please join the Skills Board in welcoming Ben to his new role. Together, we look forward to honouring our past while continuously improving our capacity to support deep belonging and full citizenship for all.

Hart Chapelle, Board Chair

Meet Ben Weinlick, Incoming Executive Director

This post was written by Paige Reeves, Communications Coordinator at Skills Society and PhD Student in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Science at the University of Alberta.