SUNDRE – A new executive director has stepped in to take the helm at the Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society.
Bree Odd’s journey with the non-profit community service organization started approximately two years ago when she became a program coordinator.
At the time, she had just recently moved to Sundre with her partner Jason Foote, who had become the general manager at Sundre Forest Products, and did not yet know much about the group.
Seizing the opportunity to learn more about her new home, Odd said she decided to drop by the annual SPOG Neighbours’ Day event at the Sundre Arena where she first met members of the society’s executive.
The seed was planted so when she saw the job posting pop up for a program coordinator, she didn’t waste time submitting an application.
Asked what she has most enjoyed about her time and what keeps her bouncing out of bed to come into work, she quickly replied: “It’s the team – hands down.
“It’s one of the best teams that I’ve ever worked with in my professional career. They’re an amazing supportive group and without them, Greenwood wouldn’t be the place that it is.”
When she learned outgoing executive director Donny Krahn intended to depart, Odd candidly confessed initially hesitating a bit.
“But the more I thought about it, I just came back to the same thing – this is an amazing team,” she said, adding the decision to take the position alongside such a supportive group ultimately came to make sense.
She began to transition into the role earlier in June and officially took on the title by the end of the month after Krahn’s last day on June 26.
“She’s been an amazing mentor for me,” Odd said about her predecessor, adding Krahn has “got a big heart for fundraising.”
Last year, the outgoing executive director had worked to introduce the inaugural live auction at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #223 in Sundre, with the second annual event having just wrapped up earlier in May. Odd said she looks forward to carrying that torch into the future.
“I’ve learned a huge amount from her and I owe a lot to having the privilege of working alongside her and I appreciate her for that,” said Odd.
“I wish she wasn’t leaving,” she added with a laugh.
“(But) I wish her all the best in her new adventure.”
Odd intends to continue the society’s legacy of service to the community after the organization just recently reached its 25th anniversary.
“We’re going to keep doing what we do, looking for ways to improve where we can, and being there for the community the best that we can,” she said.
For her part, Krahn – who held the position for two years – expressed mixed feelings about her departure and said leaving was a very bittersweet experience.
“I loved my time here, I’m sad to go,” she said.
Asked what memories of her time with the society she will most cherish, she said while fighting back a few tears, “The amazing people that I have worked with that have been so incredibly supportive.”
Despite going through some difficult personal matters in life that prompted her to plan moving to Winnipeg to be with family, the team was understanding and always stood behind her, she said.
“It’s been an incredibly safe and supportive place to work,” she said.
“Just amazing people; both staff and board. Great, great people to work with. I know some people struggle with their boards, I did not – not ever, not once.”
Krahn also expressed pride in having played a role raising funds for the non-profit organization.
“I was really happy to be part of that and to build momentum that these guys will be able to carry through in years to come to keep Greenwood sustainable.”
