Meet Alberta Dreams Board President, Stephanie Campbell

Alberta Dreams’ Board President, Ms. Stephanie Campbell has always been drawn to helping people and seeking out volunteer opportunities. After having her own children, she became active in her community association, bringing sports and recreational programs to local kids. When a colleague shared that Alberta Dreams, then known as The Rainbow Society of Alberta was looking for new board members, she saw the perfect opportunity to give back and joined the Board in 2017.

She became President in 2019 and says every Dream story makes her grateful for the chance to bring joy to Dream kids and their families. Her “internal radar” is now always looking for ways to promote Alberta Dreams and connect with potential supporters.

One of the accomplishments she is most proud of is the tenacity of her fellow board members. In 2020, the organization faced what could have been a catastrophic series of events: the long-time president and vice president resigned, and both the executive director of 23 years and the bookkeeper of 25 years moved on. “The easy way out was to shut down,” she reflects, “but it never crossed our minds. We came out of that time stronger and better as a charity.”

Believing that success depends on many perspectives, she worked to recruit a renewed and diverse board. “It is too easy to give in to our own bias,” she explains. “We needed different perspectives at the table so we could see all the options and opportunities.”

Looking ahead, her vision is to see Alberta Dreams “truly blossom and grow” so the organization can grant 40 wishes each year and hire additional staff to support its remarkable work.

As a Partner at the law firm Dentons Canada, she credits her professional skills, negotiating and problem-solving, with helping her guide the charity. “My goal is to make sure my clients reach theirs. I use those same skills and approach in my role as President of the charity,” she says. Her advice to new nonprofit leaders is to “be welcoming and forgiving but also honest and truthful,” respecting the time and talents of everyone at the table.

Outside of work and Alberta Dreams, she enjoys the freedom of riding both motorcycles and horses and is a passionate chef who loves experimenting with new recipes. One career milestone that stands out is being invited to join her firm’s partnership just a year after returning from maternity leave.

She believes every moment of joy brought to a Dream child has an exponential effect: “It brings joy to their family, to our volunteers who help make the Dream come true, and even to our own families.” If she had to sum up her Alberta Dreams journey in one word, it would be fulfillment—a reflection of how deeply this work has enriched her life.