About the Frontline Foundation
Created out of an identified need to assist first responders and fill the gaps where help is needed the most, the Frontline Foundation is built by First Responders and community members who support them the most.
Helping those who help us.
A career as a First Responder can be a stressful and often overwhelming career. Those that answer the calls are routinely exposed to trauma, and engage in situations that most people seek to avoid. A full career of 25 or more years can often have impacts that continue long after retirement comes.
The Frontline Foundation looks to bridge the gaps that exist in ensuring our First Responders get what they need in order to get through the hard days and can be there when the call for assistance comes in. While employers, unions and associations often look to provide what they can, there are those that still need additional support moving forward.
Through Mental Health & Trauma recovery, we look to extend benefits in these areas when they run out, are denied access, or need additional support for their families. We provide Benevolence and Financial Assitance when disaster, illness, or other unforeseen events take place that pull our First Responders away from work. We aim to upkeep and expand on memorial projects such as parks, statues and public information honouring First Responders who have sacrificed for the betterment of their communities as a whole, and we provide bursaries for those wanting to begin a career as a First Responder, partnering with local post-secondary educational insititutions that provide training to those wanting to join as a member of Fire, EMS, Police, as well as Nurses and Doctors.
Our team below are dedcated to the support of First Responders, and most have also had long careers as First Responders themselves. Collectively, they know what goes into those careers, what those careers take from the individuals serving, and the impacts trauma exposure can have on First Responders and their families.
There for us, here for them. Putting First Responders First.
Our team
Stephanie Dekker serves as Executive Director of the Frontline Foundation for First Responders and has been involved in the development of the charity since its inception. Stephanie brings extensive experience in labour relations, human resources, governance, and organizational strategy, including her current work with the Edmonton Police Association, where she supports members and helps navigate complex matters affecting first responders.
She holds two MBAs through Cornell University and Queen’s University, graduating with distinction, and has applied her business and leadership experience internationally, including work with the Charles Darwin Foundation to support business strategy and organizational sustainability. Stephanie is passionate about building a strong, credible, and compassionate foundation that provides meaningful support to the frontline community through mental health and trauma recovery, financial relief and benevolence, and educational bursaries.
Garnet Munro is a seasoned leader with more than 35 years of experience helping individuals and organizations navigate leadership, career progression, and operational excellence in high-pressure environments. Having served in frontline, supervisory, executive, and strategic leadership roles, he brings a practical understanding of what it takes to build a successful and sustainable career.
Garnet has served as an Advanced Care Paramedic, Firefighter, Fire Captain & Investigator, and senior healthcare operations leader, including executive leadership roles with Alberta Health Services. His experience spans emergency response, municipal leadership, healthcare operations, and project management, giving him a unique perspective on leadership across complex organizations.
Garnet is passionate about helping emerging and established leaders navigate workplace challenges, manage stress and organizational demands, and prepare for future leadership opportunities. He believes long-term success is built through continuous learning, intentional development, and a commitment to leading both yourself and others with purpose.
He holds an Executive MBA, a Certificate in Municipal Management and Leadership, and an Executive Leadership Certificate from the University of Alberta School of Business, along with numerous professional designations and certifications. He is the recipient of the Emergency Services Long Service Medal and the Emergency Services Exemplary Service Medal.
Jo Ann Molloy is a retired healthcare executive and nurse with over 25 years of experience in strategic leadership of healthcare facilities and corporate services across Alberta. Throughout her career she has demonstrated a strong commitment to service, compassionate leadership and strengthening the well-being of others.
Jo Ann is a dedicated advocate with a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by first responders and their families. She brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach and a passion for supporting those who serve their communities. She is committed to helping develop programs and partnerships that promote the health, resilience and long-term assistance to first responders, recognizing the unique challenges they face both professionally and personally.
Jo Ann believes in investing in people who protect and care for our communities is essential in building stronger, healthier societies. She is honoured to contribute her time and expertise to advancing the Frontline Foundation’s mission and ensuring first responders receive the recognition and support they deserve.
Brenna Barrett is a Founding Director for the Foundation and is the Executive Director of the Edmonton Police Association where she oversees the advocacy, strategic direction, labour relations and collective bargaining for the Association, and represents more than 2100 sworn members of the Edmonton Police Service.
Brenna has been a practitioner in the Human Resources field for more than 15years, having spent more than 10 years in senior leadership roles with experience and expertise on a national level in the areas of disability management and labour relations. Brenna is passionate about health and wellness and positive workplace culture and in 2018 she received the CPHR Award of Excellence recognizing her work in this area. Brenna holds an undergrad degree in psychology and law, training in conflict communications and dispute resolution, and has also served 1 term on the Board of Directors for Victim Services with the RCMP.
Chris Holtz is a Preconstruction Manager for Bird Construction in Edmonton and has been involved in the construction industry for 26 years. Chris’s expertise has focused mainly within the Estimating field, working on a multitude of projects within commercial, institutional, and residential style buildings. His experience has also afforded him the opportunity to work with numerous non-profit and social assistance organizations within the city, allowing them to achieve their goals and to build and renovate projects that help the community. He and his family have lived in the area for the past 30 years within Sherwood Park, Edmonton, Beaumont, and Leduc.
Chris is passionate and committed to giving back to his community through a long history of volunteering, the longest tenure being with the Edmonton Police Service at over 23 years. Chris currently holds the role of President with the Crime Stoppers of Edmonton and Northern Alberta Chapter Board of Directors, is a Board Director for the Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation (E4C) and sits on the Millwoods Presidents Council’s Canada Day Planning Committee, which organizes and runs the Millwoods Park Canada Day Celebrations each year. In addition, Chris has also served on several condominium and HOA boards within communities he has lived in.
Chris is excited for the opportunity to serve on the Frontline Foundation board and looks forward to using his previous experience to further help the community.
Darren Derko is a retired Deputy Chief with the Edmonton Police Service who brings more than 36 years of leadership experience in community safety and public service.
Throughout his career, he led major operational, investigative, and organizational initiatives while championing the health, safety, and development of both sworn and civilian personnel. Having witnessed firsthand the challenges and demands faced by first responders, he believes strongly in the importance of providing meaningful support to those who serve our communities. Darren is honoured to serve on the Frontline Foundation Board and help advance initiatives that strengthen the well-being of first responders and their families.
Cory Kerr is the founder of the Frontline Foundation and is a 23+ year member of the Edmonton Police Service, as well as current Vice-President of the Edmonton Police Association (EPA). Cory has spent over 3.5 years in the role of Executive Vice-President at the EPA, and a total of over 4.5 years on the EPA board advocating for member rights and assisting those in their time of need. Cory is passionate about assisting First Responders and providing gateways to support for those interested in First Response careers, as well as eliminating gaps in member care around benevolence and mental health.
Cory is also a dedicated volunteer, having previously run large fundraisers for police members and their families, raising over $135,000.00 for them when faced with times of hardship. Cory also previously sat on the Board of Directors for ACT Alberta, a Non-Profit focusing on eliminating Human Trafficking, where he served as both Director and Vice-President. Cory’s other volunteerism work includes the Stollery Children’s Hospital, Canadian Cancer Society, MS Society, Special Olympics, and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.
Frontline foundation community Partners
Interested in becoming a partner, or want to make a sizeable impact? Please reach out to us at info@frontlinefoundation.ca
