Board of Directors

Tony Vandekraats - President

After serving on a variety of non-profit organizations, Church Councils and School Boards, Tony Vandekraats chose to serve on the Board of Shalem Society to participate in the Society’s mission to enhance the well-being of seniors in the Calgary community through the Christian values expressed in the organization’s mission statement.  Tony joined the Board in 2016 and has served as President since 2017. Tony remains active in the Calgary business community and has held the position as Principle of Cartwright Lighting and Furniture for over 24 years.

Jim Zeilstra - Vice-President

With his father as one of the founding members of Shalem and his mother a former Resident, Jim Zeilstra has long been connected and familiar with Shalem.  Now, as a Chartered Professional Accountant with a Master’s in Business Administration, Jim is employed with Brookfield Properties in the Finance and Accounting group.  Jim has served on the Board of multiple Resident Associations in his role at Brookfield as well has been a Board member of various not-for-profit entities and joined Shalem’s Board in 2021.  Jim is married with three grown daughters.

Maarten Buth - Secretary

Maarten Buth moved to Calgary in 1997 when his employment as a marine professional with a large oil company led him to Canada from the Netherlands. Maarten sees the need for a Christian senior’s home in Calgary and has served on the Board of Directors since 2014.  Now retired, Maarten is at Shalem frequently and finds it satisfying contributing to the well-being of the residents. Maarten’s two children and four grandchildren live in the Netherlands. He enjoys biking and skiing during his free time.

John Spronk - Treasurer

Now retired for three years, John Spronk worked for almost 50 years serving as the Chief Financial Officer for a variety of companies, mostly in Calgary, but also overseas and in the United States.  As Chartered Accountant, John also earned his Master’s in Business Administration almost 20 years ago and joined the Board in 2020.  John is married with four children and five grandchildren (so far).

Henrietta Koning

Henrietta Koning joined the Shalem Board in 2017, joining the Board with an intentional decision to serve within the Christian community. She has been impressed and inspired by Shalem’s hardworking Board members and dedicated Staff and appreciates getting to know Shalem residents and sharing some humour with them. Henrietta worked as an English teacher overseas for 25 years and now as a Shalem Board member is committed to making Shalem a welcoming and excellent place for Christian seniors to live.

David Konynenbelt

With a lifelong connection to Calgary Christian School as well as Shalem, where his grandparents lived for many years, David Konynenbelt joined the Shalem Board in 2021 with the recognition of the increasingly vital role that Shalem plays in providing a Christian living environment for seniors. David is Director of IT at Shell Canada, where he has worked for over 20 years and is an active member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church having served on various committees over the years.  Divid is married with four children.
 

Ria Clayton

Now retired, Ria Clayton worked in Health Care as a Registered Nurse for more than 40 years. Ria joined the Shalem Board of Directors in the fall of 2020 and enjoys using her experience and insights to enhance the wellness of all seniors at Shalem.

Dorothy de Vuyst - Executive Director

Dorothy de Vuyst has over 25 years of progressive experience in the not-for-profit sector, focused in international humanitarian aid.   Her years working in and serving some of the world’s most underdeveloped communities developed and solidified in her a passion for caring for others.  It is this passion that Dorothy brings as she serves in the role of Executive Director of Shalem.  Having earned her Master’s in Business Administration in 2015 Dorothy is motivated to build on Shalem’s vision of enhancing the well-being of seniors in our community and working together with the Board to ensure Shalem Residents enjoy a quality of life that will provide comfort and peace through the various challenges of aging.