Eva Friesen

Widely respected, Ms. Friesen has an extensive background of providing effective leadership in the Not for Profit sector.   Since 2005, Eva has been the President and CEO of The Calgary Foundation, a community foundation established in 1955 to build an endowment for the long term benefit of the Calgary community.  The Calgary Foundation is one of the largest and fastest-growing community foundations in Canada with assets over $1 Billion.  The Foundation is a 360 degree grantor distributing almost $50 million annually to all sectors the charitable community.

Prior to joining The Calgary Foundation, Eva was the CEO of Calgary Health Trust (2001-2005), taking on the challenge of building this health charity.  Prior to the Health Trust, Eva enjoyed a 22 year career with the YWCA spanning three cities, starting in Winnipeg (1979-1984), then Yellowknife where she was CEO for 5 years (1985-1989), and then Calgary where she was the CEO for 12 years (1989-2001).

A Rotarian since 1993, Eva served as the President of the Rotary Club of Calgary (downtown) for the 2013-2014 year, its centennial year.

Eva has served on a variety of NFP Boards including the Calgary Police Commission (1991-1996), and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce (2007-2013).   She has delivered the key note address and facilitated workshops for numerous organizations and groups across Canada on a variety of Management and Board Development and leadership topics and was part time faculty at the Banff Centre for Management facilitating a Not-For-Profit Leadership program.

Eva’s education includes an MBA from the University of Calgary (2000), the Executive Program from Queen’s University, a degree in Physical Education from the University of Manitoba (1979), and studies in the Masters program in Adult Education at St. Francis Xavier University.

 Eva Friesen is the recipient of the Haskayne School of Business 2011 Management Alumni Excellence (MAX) award. The MAX award recognizes the outstanding success of Haskayne alumni, celebrating personal achievement and extraordinary service to both the school and the community.

Originally from Manitoba, Eva has made Calgary her home for the past 30 years.   Married to Calgary lawyer and rancher, Stan Carscallen, Eva is an avid horsewoman and competes in show jumping together with her two daughters.

Eva Friesen

LinkedIn: Eva Friesen

Calgary Foundation  

Twitter: @CalgFoundation
LinkedIn: Calgary Foundation
Facebook: @CalgaryFoundation
Website: calgaryfoundation.org