Our Team

The School of Public Health at the University of Alberta is leading APPLE Schools. The project operates in 10 Alberta schools that have agreed to support initiatives for better nutrition and promoting healthy weights among students.

The project team includes:

Paul J. Veugelers, PhD - Unit Director & Professor   Show/hide info

Paul received training in human nutrition (MSc from the University of Wageningen, the Netherlands), epidemiology (PhD from the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and biostatistical modeling (postdoctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia). In 1998, he immigrated to Canada to join the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University, Halifax. In 2002, he took a position at the University of Alberta where he is currently a professor in the School of Public Health and Director of the Population Health Intervention Research Unit. Paul is married with two beautiful daughters, who love to stay active.

Marg Schwartz, M.Ed. - Manager - APPLE Schools   Show/hide info

Marg has been involved with school health promotion for over 25 years. She has a passion for health promotion and has worked in a number of roles to support her vision for healthy, active Alberta students including the founding manager for Schools Come Alive and Ever Active Schools. She has worked for both Alberta Education and Alberta Health and Wellness and is currently seconded from the Alberta government to the School of Public Health. She is the recipient of the Robert Routledge Memorial address, the Health and Physical Education Distinguished Service Award and a Premiers' Excellence Award. She completed her Bachelor of Education and Master Degree in Education from the University of Alberta. She is a mom, a hiker, curler and loves to travel. ¡Hola!

Andrea Cliff - Office Coordinator    Show/hide info

Andrea is the person who will greet you with her contagious smile when you enter the unit. Her laughter and positive attitude makes every day brighter. Andrea has background experience as an Administrative Assistant with the Ever Active and Schools Come Alive programs of the Alberta Teachers Association. She sits on the Wellness Committee with the School of Public Health, helps with the planning of activities, unit events and oversees the general administration and day to day operations of the unit. Andrea has spent many years as a volunteer in her community. She loves to laugh and is married with two fantastic teenage kids. She enjoys being a part of such an amazing team.

School Health Facilitators - APPLE Schools

The School Health Facilitators are a strong multi-disciplinary team of motivated professionals trained to assist school communities in the development of healthy active environments.

Sara Brown, B.A., BPE, B.Ed. - Tipaskan School   Show/hide info

Sara completed her Bachelor of Arts (Physical Education/History) at Augustana University and her Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta. Being an avid world traveller, she loves to learn about other cultures' games and traditions. She is extremely active playing women's league basketball, as well as cross country skiing. Sara loves working with children and youth in a school setting and her enthusiasm is contagious.

Lisa McLaughlin - Sifton Elementary School   Show/hide info

Lisa has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Alberta. She graduated in 2004, and has since worked as a Student Advisor at Grant MacEwan, and as an Intern at Alberta Health and Wellness. Lisa is a quiet but intuitive leader and is very skilled at supporting her team in reaching their goals. Lisa is a big-picture thinker and is looking forward to helping her school build a vision and forge community relationships.

Jenn Patrick, BPE - Lee Ridge Elementary School   Show/hide info

Jenn completed her Bachelor of Physical Education at the University of Alberta. She has keen organizational skills and a wide variety of experiences working with children in a physically active setting. Jenn's team skills are evident as she plays an integral role in planning processes. She brings a level of excitement unsurpassed by most and displays leadership through her logic skills and expertise.

Erin Wright, BSc Kin. - Belmead Elementary School   Show/hide info

Erin has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Alberta. As a registered kinesiologist and personal trainer, she has a wealth of exercise, nutrition and motivational experience. She is also an avid traveller who has visited Europe, Japan, South America and Ireland. Having worked with kids in activity summer camps for ten years, Erin's natural charm and fun loving spirit is infectious. Her wide range of experiences and respect for others makes her an outstanding member of any team.

Tina Kunec, BSc Kin., B.Ed. - Blessed Kateri Elementary School   Show/hide info

Tina has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta. She is an optimistic, down-to-earth individual, who is passionate and full of laughter. She enjoys being engaged in any activity she can do with her husband and dog. She particularly loves tobogganing and is currently revisiting a childhood love of playing the piano. Tina's love of life will support a positive environment in any school community.

Andrew McCloskey, BPE, CSEP-CEP - Holy Cross Academie Internationale   Show/hide info

Andrew has completed his degree in Physical Education and is currently working on his Masters of Public Health - Health Promotion. You would never know that Andrew grew up in Alberta as a sedentary child who did not enjoy physical activity. His passion and belief in physical activity for everyone of all ages and sizes shines through. He brings insightful perspectives from his work experiences and international travel, providing him with the tools to achieve any school goals.

Billy Smale, B.Mgt. - St. Benedict Elementary School   Show/hide info

Billy has a Bachelor of Management from the University of Lethbridge. He worked with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta and started his own company 'Just Jump'. With both endeavours, Billy has taught staff and students to integrate jump rope into daily physical activity. He is also a very accomplished skipper, winning a gold medal at the Pan-American Rope Skipping Championships. Billy has abundant energy, an infectious sense of humour and a great dedication to increasing health in the school community.

Kristi Rokosh, RD, BSc (Nutr) - St. Luke Catholic School   Show/hide info

Kristi completed her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and obtained her Registered Dietitian status in 2004. She has experience in a variety of settings, including working in Northern Saskatchewan with a diabetes prevention focus. She developed great thinking skills while answering difficult and personal questions when working with children and youth in isolated communities. Kristi's wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for healthy living makes her an invaluable asset to any team.

Michelle Lindberg, BPE, B.Ed. - Lamont Elementary School   Show/hide info

Michelle completed her first two years of her Physical Education Degree at Grant MacEwan College and then completed her Education Degree at the University of Alberta. Michelle was involved in numerous sports as a child, which fuelled her enthusiasm and passion for coaching. Michelle enjoyed spending time as the assistant coach of the Female Nait Ooks Basketball Team. She loves spending time in the community and has been actively involved with the M.S. Society, the Cancer Society and various events sponsored by the City of Edmonton. She has just completed her third year of teaching and is thrilled to return to a school community, to utilize and share all of her skills and passions to encourage healthy active lifestyles.

Colleen Pirie, BPE - Landing Trial Intermediate School   Show/hide info

Colleen as been involved in the health and wellness industry for over twelve years. Her passion and enthusiasm for health and fitness is contagious and she strongly believes that by living an active lifestyle you are able to truly live your life to the fullest! Her approach with people is one of openness and relationship building. Once goals are set and an action plan is developed, her top priority is to educate, motivate and inspire to ensure those goals are met with success. Colleen's education includes the NAIT Personal Training program and the University of Alberta's Bachelor Physical Education Program.