ADRIA is governed by a Board of Directors and has adopted a set of by-laws, registered on the incorporation of the Institute on May 14, 2012. The Board consists of up to nine individuals who are elected by and from the membership. The Board also includes an elected representative from the ADRIC Board, and often a Past President. An Executive consisting of a President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary is elected by the Directors and announced at our Annual General Meeting.
2025-26 Board of Directors
President:
Stephen Carter-Edwards, JD, P.Eng, Q.Adj. (Const).
Stephen Carter-Edwards, P. Eng., JD is a hybrid litigator and solicitor practising in the area of commercial litigation and contract drafting. His practice focuses on construction law including builders’ liens, surety, insurance, bidding, delay claims and other construction disputes; defending claims, civil enforcement and drafting owner-consultant, owner-contractor and subcontractor agreements, and various other construction contracts depending on the project delivery model.
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Prior to his legal career, Stephen had a successful engineering consulting practice. Known for being reliable, his attention to detail and applying creative approaches to the dispute resolution process, Stephen has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta, including the British Columbia Supreme Court and the Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench. He has also been involved in several mediations and arbitrations and has completed the ADRIC-RICS Certificate in Adjudication.
My goal in being a director of ADRIA is four fold: assisting ADRIA in becoming a Nominating Authority for the adjudication process contemplated by the new Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act; participation and providing equity, diversification and inclusion within ADRIA and the ADR space; innovation; and business development. If elected, during my term on the board I am looking forward to working with the current and new board members as well as the ADRIA staff to advance these goals. The success of my term would be measured by the amount these goals are accomplished, all well hopefully meeting many ADRIA members in person at future events while we depart the virtual meeting world.
Vice President:
Lauren Bartlette, Q.Med., Q.Arb.
Lauren is Senior Project Manager, Strategist, Planner and Facilitator with over 25 years’ experience consulting on municipal processes, strategy, conflict resolution and stakeholder engagement.
She brings to the table a unique blend of skills as an Urban Planner, Mediator, Negotiator and Arbitrator, Prosci Change Management practitioner, Organizational and Systems Coach, IAP2 trained Engagement Practitioner, as well as Queens’ certified in Strategy.
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Lauren’s advanced understanding and focus on strong facilitation, engagement, and communication enable successful and collaborative projects for her clients. With her valuable experience mediating at the Alberta Provincial Courts and being on the Municipal Affairs Conflict Resolution Roster, Lauren tends to be involved with projects that involve multiple stakeholder groups or that have the potential to become highly contentious.
Municipal governance is Lauren’s area of focus and passion, and she remains current in the field by preparing course work and teaching elected officials in the Elected Official’s Education Program, project managing unique planning projects such as the Black Diamond and Turner Valley amalgamation and working at the provincial level to offer conflict resolution services as mandated through the IDP and ICF processes.
ADRIC representative:
Jill Mason
Jill is a retired lawyer with over thirty years at the Alberta Bar. The emphasis of her career was working with administrative tribunals to promote dispute resolution by agreement between the parties. This entailed both conducting mediations in the capacity of a settlement officer as well as senior management responsible for the development and implementation of progressive programs of dispute resolution.
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Jill continues to mediate regularly with the provincial court civil claims program. She also holds the position of Chair with the Alberta Horse Race Appeal Tribunal.
Director:
Larissa Brell
Larissa Brell has dedicated over three decades to helping individuals find their voice and resolve conflicts. With extensive experience in dispute resolution across two continents. Larissa has navigated diverse environments, from national family service organizations like Relationships Australia to esteemed institutions like the Family Court of Australia and various sectors, including banking and government. Currently, she serves as a leader at the Government of Alberta-Resolution Services, where she oversees a team of accomplished family mediators and has contributed to the Government of Alberta, Civil Claims mediation roster.
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As an active member of the ADR Institute of Albert and Canada, Larissa maintains accreditation as a mediator under the Australian Mediation Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards. (AMDRAS) Additionally, she holds certification in EQ-I 2.0 and is passionately engaged in developing an EQ leadership coaching practice. Larissa is committed to advancing ADR regulation in Alberta, advocating for elevating and standardizing dispute resolution competencies, which she believes should be determined collaboratively by ADR practitioners, advocates, and academics.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Larissa demonstrates a strong commitment to community service. She volunteers with AARCS Safe Haven and is active in her local community.
Director:
Aziz Bootwala, Q.Arb. Q.Med.
With over two decades of international experience in progressively challenging roles as an Architect, Aziz has significant experience in helping organizations grow. His extensive background, coupled with a Master of Business Administration, showcases his leadership capabilities honed through active listening and decisive decision-making as a practicing mediator and arbitrator. After completing his mediation training with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution in London, UK, he obtained his Q.Med. and Q.Arb. designations through ADRIC and remains committed to alternate dispute resolution. As a Qualified Arbitrator and Mediator, Aziz is driven by a dedication to community development and mentorship with non-profit organizations, and his principles align seamlessly with ADRIA’s mission.
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Aziz is a global trainer for His Highness the Aga Khan International Conciliation and Arbitration Board (CAB), where they train newly appointed members to the CAB to become effective mediators. Most recently, Azuz represented the Consulting Architects Association in review meetings with Alberta Infrastructure to develop the legislation around Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act. Motivated by a desire to make a positive impact on the world, Azuz is committed to giving back to the community, both through time and knowledge. Aziz is excited to use his board experience and expertise to support the ADRIA Board, and his involvement with other organizations has refined his experience in corporate governance, emphasizing values like integrity, trust, and respect, while also championing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Director:
Kevin Magill, Dip Arch, Constr Law, Q.Arb., PQS, MRICS
Kevin is a Construction Consultant with over 35 years of experience gained in various industry sectors, including healthcare, energy, learning facilities and commercial and residential projects. He started his career as an architect, with postgraduate studies in project management and construction law, and now provides his expertise in claims analysis, delay and quantum entitlement.
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As a certified construction adjudicator, Kevin applies his expertise either as a dispute resolver or as an advisor to either party. Construction disputes are unique with numerous procedural and tactical pitfalls, and Kevin has a thorough knowledge of construction contracts in common use, advising on contract administration and management procedures using standard or custom contracts and subcontracts. Kevin is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), a member of ADR Institute of Alberta and Canada, as well as several other professional institutions.
Director:
Bridgit Kong
Bridgit is a seasoned and licensed real estate and property management professional with a deep-rooted passion for fostering community and enhancing living experiences within condominium settings. With over a decade of experience in the real estate industry, Bridgit has carved out a niche for herself as a specialist in condominium management, embodying roles as a Condo manager, Condo director, Condo owner, General contractor, Landlord, Tenant and Occupant.
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Beyond her professional pursuits, Bridgit is deeply committed to volunteerism, exemplified by her impactful roles as Education Director and Treasurer for the Condo Owners Forum Society of Alberta. At the core of Bridgit’s endeavours is a belief in the power of community and collaboration, as evidenced by her volunteer service with a few other non-profit organizations. Whether managing large-scale property projects or leading volunteer efforts, Bridgit brings a strategic, empathetic approach to her work, aiming to create environments where individuals can thrive together.
Director:
Jeannette Bourgeault, C.Med.
Jeannette is a Chartered Mediator (C.Med.) with over 25 years of experience in conflict resolution and team building. She specializes in coaching, mediation, and team restorations across diverse sectors, including oil and gas, healthcare, government, and Indigenous communities.
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Trained at the Justice Institute of British Columbia, Jeannette is a certified “Boss Whisperer”, DISC facilitator, and Emotional Intelligence assessor. She has a Certificate in General Management Specializing in Human Resources from the University of Calgary. Jeannette brings deep insight and a practical, systems-based approach to workplace conflict resolution, making her a valuable candidate for the ADRIA Board.
Ad-Hoc Director:
Dennis L. Picco, KC
Dennis is a seasoned litigation and dispute resolution professional with over 30 years of experience, specializing in contract, construction, and insurance matters. As a partner in his firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution group, he has served as lead counsel in some of Alberta’s most complex construction and energy sector disputes, including a landmark case before the Supreme Court of Canada.
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Dennis also brings extensive experience as an arbitrator in construction, shareholder, and contract-related conflicts. His strategic, business-oriented approach to resolving disputes is rooted in a career defined by leadership, having served as the Edmonton office Managing Partner for five years, and subsequently served for seven years as a member of the Dentons Canada Board, the Global Risk Management Committee and Chair of the Canada Risk Committee.
Ad-Hoc Director:
Linda V. Goold
Linda is a seasoned lawyer and mediator with over 25 years of experience in private practice. Since 1997, she has provided dedicated, personalized legal and dispute resolution services, managing every case personally to ensure the highest level of attention and advocacy. Linda brings extensive litigation and negotiation expertise, having appeared regularly in both the Alberta Court of Justice and the Court of King’s Bench.
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She is an active member of numerous legal and ADR organizations, including the Alberta Family Lawyers Association (Board Member), Calgary Mediation Services, the Canadian Bar Association, and the ADR Institute of Canada.
Her commitment to collaborative and client-focused resolution makes her a strong candidate for the ADRIA Board.
