Board Members
We are committed to building a team of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.
Curtis Luu
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.
Jacob Dykstra
Vice President
Jacob is a Senior Associate at Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton, specializing in office leasing and sales in the greater Edmonton area.
In his role, Jacob delivers innovative and personalized real estate solutions for clients with complex requirements through his strong strategic approach and creative expertise. Jacob and his partners, Shane Asbell and Scott Vreeland, are a top-performing team offering a wide range of services to tenants, purchasers, landlords and investors.
Jessie Bakker
Secretary
Jessie Bakker is a lawyer based in Edmonton at the law firm of Stillman LLP, with a practice focused on civil litigation, corporate/commercial transactions, real estate transactions, and wills and estates.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, and while she completed university, Jessie worked as a real estate conveyancer (a legal assistant) for almost ten years. Following her completion of a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology, she earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Alberta in 2022. Jessie was called to the bar in 2023.
Before joining the WeBA Board, Jessie was familiar with the organization through its events and came to value the role it plays in the community.
When she isn’t working or volunteering with WeBA, Jessie enjoys gardening, skiing, going for runs with her dog, and spending time with her husband, friends and family.
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.
Crystal Holberton
Director of Memberships
Crystal Holberton is a serial entrepreneur, systems strategist, and community builder based in Edmonton. Living with physical disabilities and ADHD has never slowed her down—in fact, it has sharpened her focus, strengthened her problem-solving skills, and fueled her drive to accomplish as much as possible in the time she has. Crystal is deeply motivated by impact, efficiency, and building systems that allow people and businesses to thrive without burning out.
Crystal currently owns and operates four companies, spanning the service industry, business development, and retail, and is also actively working on a tech startup. She holds two master’s degrees in psychology, bringing a rare blend of human behavior, systems thinking, and real-world business execution to everything she builds.
A central passion of Crystal’s work is supporting new entrepreneurs and businesses in their first five years—the most vulnerable stage of business ownership. Through education, mentorship, and practical systems design, she focuses on helping founders build strong operational foundations so they can break survival statistics, scale sustainably, and create businesses that truly support their lives. Accessibility and inclusive design are not afterthoughts in this work; they are built in from the beginning.
Crystal is actively engaged in Edmonton’s business community as a Bx Ambassador, fostering relationship-driven growth and meaningful collaboration among local business owners. She also serves as Regional Director for Exmerce Edmonton, supporting the launch of the platform in Edmonton following more than 20 years of success in Calgary.
As a new board member with the West Edmonton Business Association, Crystal brings an operator’s perspective grounded in lived experience, resilience, and execution. She is excited to contribute to WeBA’s mission by championing education, accessibility, and practical support—ensuring Edmonton businesses have the tools, systems, and community they need not just to start, but to last.
Jan McEwen
Director of Communications
Jan joins the WEBA board with a career-long focus on relationship building and a deep connection to the West Edmonton business community.
Representing ION Print Solutions, Jan
draws on a business presence that has been a fixture in the West End for over 40 years. In her
business development role, she has gained a practical understanding of how effective print
communications and marketing help local businesses stay connected.
As Communications Director, Jan is focused on supporting WEBA’s outreach to ensure both
members and non-members are well-informed of the association’s activities.
During the summer, Jan moves her office to the cabin—swapping boardroom meetings for surf
“sessions” while still keeping the business development wheels turning.
Basil Kirby
Director of Advocacy
Bas Kirby is a proud member of the WEBA Board of Directors and currently serves as the Director of Advocacy.
With a strong background in the transportation industry across the greater Edmonton area, Bas has built his career in sales and business development, supporting many local businesses over the years.
In addition to his work in transportation, Bas is also involved in the financial services sector. He holds a Life/Accident & Sickness license with Carr Financial Partners, a World Financial Group agency.
Matthew Dilts
Director of Technology
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.
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