For immediate release:
EDMONTON, AB, June 28, 2021 – The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Raman Deol to the EPL Board of Trustees and the election of new EPL Board Chair Kenna Houncaren. Both, Deol and Houncaren commenced their roles on Tuesday, June 1.
As the senior vice president of Stantec’s Procurement & Real Estate group, Kenna Houncaren oversees all aspects of strategic sourcing and vendor management for the company. This includes direct responsibility for the management and strategic procurement of travel, corporate cards, offices leases and supplies, mobile phones, print, and fleet. Houncaren is responsible for managing supply chains to ensure sustainable and efficient procurement.
“As an enthusiastic EPL champion, I am honoured to serve as EPL’s Board Chair,” said Houncaren. “For over 100 years EPL has served all citizens and continues to play an essential role in our city. I am grateful for this opportunity to lead the EPL Board in fulfilling our governance role and supporting the Library in achieving its strategic objectives.”
Raman Deol, CA CPA, is a senior manager at Deloitte LLP and is based in the Audit & Assurance function. She is focused on leading collaborations with auditors and strategic leaders in various countries to educate audit professionals. Deol excels at taking a diligent, organized and compassionate approach to her work and is focused on continuous improvement as a strong team player and leader. What can be defined as a full circle moment, Deol received her start at EPL years ago where she worked as a student page.
“I am thankful to be able to serve on the EPL Board of Trustees,” said Deol. “As a born and raised Edmontonian, I am committed to helping our great city continue to grow and thrive. As a lifelong user and advocate of public libraries, I strongly believe in the value EPL brings to enriching our community.”
The EPL Board consists of 10 trustees, including one member of City Council. Trustees are appointed by City Council and can serve a maximum of six years. In addition to governance, the EPL Board is responsible for advocating to ensure stakeholders understand and support library initiatives. Other EPL Board responsibilities include CEO recruitment and performance evaluation, Board policy development, ensuring compliance with financial and legislative requirements, identifying and mitigating risks and, together with EPL’s Executive Team, establishing the Library’s strategic directions.
EPL would like to thank departing trustee Dr. Fern Snart for her outstanding contributions and commitment.
“We are thrilled to welcome Raman to the Board of Trustees,” said incoming Chair Houncaren. “Raman demonstrates passion for the city and EPL and we look forward to having her.”
“Kenna’s dedication to EPL has been evident since she joined the Board in 2017 and Raman’s skills and experience are a welcome addition,” said EPL Chief Executive Officer Pilar Martinez. “Both Kenna and Raman bring passion and leadership to the table and will be tremendous assets to EPL.”
For more information about EPL’s Board of Trustees visit: https://www.epl.ca/board/
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About the Edmonton Public Library
The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) is proud to be 2014 Library of the Year, as well as the first public library in Canada to win Canada’s Most Admired™ Corporate Cultures award by Waterstone Human Capital, as of 2018! We’ve come a long way since 1913 when books were all you could find on our shelves… and we’re just getting started! Today, EPL carries everything you care about. We are Edmonton’s largest lender of all manner of information and entertainment. Our professionally trained staff take you beyond Google with the knowledge, discernment and desire to help you navigate a universe of information. The second most visited place in Edmonton, every year EPL hosts over 15.4 million in-branch and online visits across our 21 branches and website. We deliver our incredible content to you everywhere – in the library, at home or on your handheld device. Unmatched access and unrivalled value – that is today’s EPL. EPL is a registered charity and relies on donations to enhance services. Spread the words. www.epl.ca/give
Media Contact:
Lynda Vang, Communications Specialist, Edmonton Public Library
Lynda.Vang@epl.ca
