The New Year brings the hopes of new beginnings for future opportunities. Inevitably, there will be new challenges to face and overcome. However, there is something exciting about turning over a new calendar page that opens up our minds to the endless fresh possibilities. I believe that this is particularly true of the Centre as we enter 2010. Many accomplishments were achieved in 2009, but 2010 will certainly be a year full of change and opportunity!

At the Board level, a number of Members will be moving on as they pursue career changes and other opportunities in their personal and professional lives. I would like to thank these people collectively for the enormous amount of time, effort, and direction that they have provided to the Centre over the years. Within our management group, we are very sorry to be losing the services of Lucy Rachynski, Education and Training Program Manager. Lucy has done an amazing job building Education Program from the ground up over the past two years. It is poised for great success, and I am confident that we will be able to appoint a successor for Lucy in early January to maintain the momentum and success of this key element of the Centre.

Another major change that will occur in 2010 relates to my own position. I have decided to step down as Executive Manager at the end of June and, simultaneously, to embark on a phased retirement from my position at the University of Alberta. I anticipate that I will continue to work with the Centre in some capacity to provide continuity. However, I have taken this decision from a position of great confidence that the Centre is firmly established and ready for a new shot of energy to lead it to new heights!

We look forward to working with you - our partners, clients, friends and supporters - as these changes give rise to new opportunities.

With best wishes for 2010,

Dr. Jerry Leonard