Board Members
We are committed to building a team of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.
Rendel Elock
President & Director of Advocacy
Brad Abel
Past President
Curtis Luu
Vice President
Curtis is a Client Executive and Partner at Acera Insurance, Canada’s largest employee-owned brokerage. He has been in the insurance industry for over ten years in every role from processing mail to brokerage ownership. Curtis works with his clients to help them understand the insurance process and works on their behalf to get the best possible results for their insurance program.He specializes in manufacturing, oil and gas, and construction and brings best in class risk practices around risk transfer, business continuity and claims advocacy.
Outside of work, Curtis stays busy with his young children and enjoys camping, fishing and spending time with friends and family.
Erin Vanderveen
Secretary
Erin Vanderveen is a lawyer at Stillman LLP and practices primarily in the areas of real estate, corporate, estates and civil litigation. She started her legal career with Stillman LLP in 2018 as a research student and is now an associate at the firm.
Erin was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and feels a strong connection to Edmonton’s business community. While she is not in the office, Erin enjoys spending time in the mountains and finding new places to explore with her kayak.
Anna van der Made
Treasurer
I feel privileged to have been the Treasurer of WeBA since 2023. For my 9-5, I play with money for a living. As a Senior FX Broker for Agility Forex, I help businesses and private individuals save a substantial amount of money on their foreign exchange conversions. If your company deals in payables or receivables in a currency other than the Canadian dollar, I am here to help. I have been an FX trader for over 14 years and I previously worked with CIBC’s Business/Commercial Banking, so I understand the importance of real personal service and assisting my clients in a timely fashion. I understand how important it is for clients to save as much money as possible on their exchange but I also know how critical it is to hedge a client’s FX risk and keep them informed in regards to market volatility.
Kory Read
Director of Memberships
Kory is the Manager of Communications and Marketing at Vertex Resource Group, a publicly traded company providing integrated environmental services across North America. Kory oversees all aspects of marketing and communications companywide, including omnichannel strategies, brand development, stakeholder communications, and sustainability reporting. His work supports Vertex’s mission to deliver innovative and impactful environmental solutions.
With professional experience ranging from start-ups to established businesses, Kory has developed expertise in sales, marketing, and leadership, across a variety of industries. He is committed to fostering collaboration, innovation, and a positive culture within the workplace.
Outside of work, Kory enjoys staying active, camping, playing guitar, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Lisa Zhang
Director of Communications
Lisa Zhang is a Financial Advisor with a passion for helping young professionals achieve financial stability. She provides guidance on budgeting, saving, and investing to navigate various life stages, from buying a first home to planning vacations and preparing for retirement. Committed to building long-term relationships, she offers more than just meetings and investment products.
With over six years of experience at BMO, TD, and now Edward Jones, she focuses on strategic investment management and comprehensive client support. Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, she addresses diverse needs and is actively involved in the Edmonton community, including U of A alumni activities. Outside of work, she enjoys horseback riding, golf, archery, and snowboarding.
Basil Kirby
Director of Advocacy
Matthew Dilts
Director of Education
Matthew is the Director of Education for the West Edmonton Business Association and represents EmpowerCorp, a leading provider of IT services based in Alberta. He specializes in offering comprehensive IT solutions, including cybersecurity, cloud computing, and workflow automation, tailored specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. Matthew helps businesses streamline their processes and improve efficiency.
Outside of work, Matthew is an avid outdoorsman and triathlete. He also has a passion for music and cooking, enjoying time spent exploring new recipes and sounds.
Matt Evans
Director of Technology
Chad Gjertsen
Director at Large
About WeBA
We are committed to helping businesses achieve growth and success by providing networking opportunities, forums to hear about your successes, opinions and concerns, and education sessions. Read more
