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Meet the Organizers

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_team_member name=”Ramin Ostad” position=”President” image_url=”https://yegextralife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/raminostad.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.106″]

How long have you Extra Lifed? 7 years.

How long have you been in your current role with Extra Life Edmonton? 2 years.

Why do you Extra Life? I was born with a heart condition and spent much of my childhood as a pediatric patient at the Stollery, so I know first-hand how important the work they do is. I wouldn’t be alive without it! I’m also a life-long gamer, and absolutely believe in the power of the medium to be a force for good. So when I saw the opportunity to use that medium to support the place that saved my life, I could not pass it up!

What is your favourite part of your role besides helping kids? The most rewarding thing about being president of Extra Life Edmonton is that I get to see how every piece of this year-long endeavour works and having the satisfaction of knowing that all of that work is worth it.

What is your favourite game, type of game, or something else cool about you? My favourite game is Final Fantasy VI, followed by The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

[/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Lisa Hawthorne” position=”Vice President” image_url=”https://yegextralife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/lisahawthorne.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.106″]

How long have you Extra Lifed? 7 years.

How long have you been in your current role with Extra Life Edmonton? 3 years as an organizer, first year as Vice President.

Why do you Extra Life? It began with my nephew, Ryley, who was diagnosed with autism and had frequent trouble with his ears. But through the years, I’ve heard so many Stollery stories. Some have made me cry and some have been so incredibly uplifting as the Stollery has made miracles happen for parents. So now I Extra Life for all of the family and friends that use the Stollery, including all the staff of the Foundation and the Hospital. The Stollery is very precious to Edmonton and all the people around the area who use it.

What is your favourite part of your role besides helping kids? I love to see that spark of excitement from fellow gamers who join Extra Life to help raise money. There’s nothing like it. Being part of bringing a community together is incredibly fulfilling.

What is your favourite game, type of game, or something else cool about you? If there is a game, I will play it. Card gaming, board gaming, dice gaming, video gaming, puzzle games, etc. My favourite game right now to play solo is Persona 5 and Final Fantasy XIV, as I’ve just finished Final Fantasy XV. And with friends, Exploding Kittens.

[/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Rod Chrenek” position=”Procurement Specialist” image_url=”https://yegextralife.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/44968925_2139147656116501_854282537206284288_n-2.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.106″]

How long have you Extra Lifed? 4 years.

How long have you been in your current role with Extra Life Edmonton? 3 years.

Why do you Extra Life? I Extra Life because I can. It makes a difference to those who need it in a way that I can make that difference. Children are the future and they all deserve to have one. If I can make it so that a single child has a chance where they may not have, is it not my duty to help? I think it is.

What is your favourite part of your role besides helping kids? Making connections with companies and people I would normally never have anything to do with. Networking gets me out of my comfort zone and that’s a good thing to happen once in awhile.

What is your favourite game, type of game, or something else cool about you? I really like my strategy games, but you can also find me playing shooters, RPGs, and others. I also love playing board games and tabletop wargames.

[/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Emily Friedrich” position=”Communications Manager” image_url=”https://yegextralife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/emilyfriedrich.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.106″]

How long have you Extra Lifed? 3 years.

How long have you been in your current role with Extra Life Edmonton? Ditto.

Why do you Extra Life? Following a tragic accident internationally, my then three-year-old cousin was air-lifted to the Stollery closer to home and treated there. My partner was also a Stollery Kid.

What is your favourite part of your role besides helping kids? All of the different events we run/attend year-round – it’s cool to see the community coming together in so many different ways.

What is your favourite game, type of game, or something else cool about you? I am a Nintendo fan through and through. Since Breath of the Wild came out, I may never play anything else ever again. I also picked up Skyrim for the first time ever this year, believe it or not!

[/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Josh Quitely” position=”Community Engagement Coordinator” image_url=”https://yegextralife.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/23847143_10215104238747532_7401620982826800275_o.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.106″]

How long have you been in your current role with Extra Life Edmonton? This is my first year, and hope many more to come.

Why do you Extra Life? I come from a very large family (I am the oldest of 8 ) and realize that hospitals like our own Stollery hospital are around to help with all families. I was also a Stollery kid as I had multiple health issues when I was young. I wish to give back and be apart of such a needed service for everyone.

What is your favourite part of your role besides helping kids? I enjoy discussing and being a part of the team we have. Everyone is extremely passionate and dedicated in helping make Extra Life Edmonton the success is has been, and I am glad to lend my help to the amazing efforts we produce.

What is your favourite game, type of game, or something else cool about you?I enjoy most games, and never really tend to play just one. Lately I have been playing lots of Slay the Spire, Warframe and Rocket League.

[/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Karman Ngan” position=”Social Media and Twitch Coordinator” image_url=”https://yegextralife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/karmanngan.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.106″]

How long have you Extra Lifed? 5 years.

How long have you been in your current role with Extra Life Edmonton? About 2 years as Social Media Coordinator and less than a year for Twitch.

Why do you Extra Life? I’m very passionate about video games and I saw Extra Life as such a unique way to help our local community. This is such a great opportunity to connect with so many different people from all over the city and all over the country through the same passion. Since working with ELE, I’ve gotten to learn about so many individual’s Stollery Stories and the ways that our hospital has been able to help save the lives of so many families. The longer that I Extra Life, the more reasons there are to continue doing it.

What is your favourite part of your role besides helping kids? Our community! We have such an amazing group of people who love helping the Stollery while having fun. As Social Media Coordinator, I have the opportunity to chat and connect with our community, as well as play video games with them. I especially love doing the community spotlights because I feel that our fundraisers deserve a shoutout for all the awesome ways they help Extra Life Edmonton and the kids!

What is your favourite game, type of game, or something else cool about you? I’m 100% a PC girl and my faves include WoW, LoL, and Overwatch. Once in a while, I’ve been able to stream and I’ve loved it. I typically play games like Stardew Valley and Don’t Starve on Twitch!

[/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Eric Sutton” position=”Graphic Designer” image_url=”https://yegextralife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ericsutton.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.106″]

How long have you Extra Lifed? 2 years.

How long have you been in your current role with Extra Life Edmonton? 21-ish months? Yeah, that seems about right. Joke’s on them, though, it’s too late to terminate me now.

Why do you Extra Life? I like video games. I also like sick people not getting sicker. The rest is simple calculus.¯\\_(ツ)_/¯

What is your favourite part of your role besides helping kids? I get to use my weird, semi-useless skillset to help get people interested and engaged with what we’re doing. Seeing our community come together for an event, or seeing some new faces pop up, and knowing I played a (very, very) small part in that feels nice.

What is your favourite game, type of game, or something else cool about you? Before my crippling Dota addiction, I enjoyed a variety of different games. Now I trade my organs for hats and I haven’t seen a proper RPG in months.

[/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Peggy Doyle” position=”Social Media Coordinator” image_url=”https://yegextralife.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Peggy.png” _builder_version=”3.0.106″]

How long have you Extra Lifed? 6 years.

How long have you been in your current role with Extra Life Edmonton? About 6 months!

Why do you Extra Life? Getting to help sick kids and their families by doing something I already so and love (playing video games)!

What is your favourite part of your role besides helping kids? Being able to reach out and interact with so many interesting people, both online and in person at events.

What is your favourite game, type of game, or something else cool about you? Favourite genre is RPGs. Fave game of all time is Skyrim, played on multiple platforms and hundreds and hundreds of hrs. Also one of the only games I rage quit. It taught me the importance of manual saves after I lost quite a few hrs when I died in a random fight!

[/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Ray Wheeler III” position=”Operations” image_url=”https://yegextralife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/raywheeler.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.106″]

How long have you Extra Lifed? 6 years.

How long have you been in your current role with Extra Life Edmonton? 4 years.

Why do you Extra Life? To meet and be a part of the local gaming community.

What is your favourite part of your role besides helping kids? Organizing and running the events we do leading up to and on game day. I love playing games with different people from the local gaming communities.

What is your favourite game, type of game, or something else cool about you? I play a little bit of everything when it comes to games. Some of my favourite series include Rock Band, The Legend of Zelda, Resident Evil, Mario Kart, Metal Gear Solid, Kingdom Hearts, the Batman Arkham series, Uncharted, The Last of Us, God of War, Bioshock and Overwatch to name a few.

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