Nick Pawluk works in air traffic services with NAV CANADA where he supports pilots and other users of Canada’s airspace in ensuring the safe and efficient movement of air traffic across the country. His professional experience also includes over a decade in community pharmacy and the health insurance industry, giving him extensive experience working with multidisciplinary teams. Understanding the perspectives of different stakeholders and collaborating across differences in opinion to deliver successful outcomes is a cornerstone of Nick’s approach to leadership.

Returning to the board for a second term, Nick has served in the Treasurer portfolio while also Co-Chairing the Fund Development Committee. With a passion for long-term financial sustainability, he helped shape Shumka’s partnership with the Edmonton Community Foundation in establishing the Whirlwind Endowment Funds. Supported by generous donors and a matching grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage, these funds represent a financial investment in future generations of dancers and Shumka productions.

Nick grew up dancing with Veselka Ukrainian Dancers in Victoria, British Columbia before moving to Edmonton to continue his dance career with Viter Ukrainian Dancers and Folk Choir. In 2017 he joined the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers where he enjoyed presenting works such as Mosquito’s Wedding, Ancestors and Elders, and Shumka’s Nutcracker before retiring in 2023.

Outside of work, Nick enjoys riding his bicycle in the summer and escaping the city for the mountains in the winter.

Ashlyn Grummett has been a dancing member of Shumka since July 2020. She has been Ukrainian dancing for 20 years alongside her competitive dance background. She is now 25 years old and has trained and performed with a variety of dance schools and companies including Dance Unlimited, Viter Ukrainian Dancers, Pyretic Productions and Shumka. She was also involved in Shumka’s first Emerging Artists production as a choreographer, instructor and dancer.

From an administrative perspective, Ashlyn held the position of Performance Coordinator on the Viter Board for three years and served on Shumka’s Standards Committee for two years. She has pursued a career in education which requires strong communication and organization skills. Ashlyn is currently an elementary French Immersion Teacher in Elk Island Public Schools.

Ashlyn is a second generation Shumka dancer and notes, “This company has a very big place in my heart and role in my life. I look forward to giving back to Shumka as a board member.”

Kim Hyshka (she/her) is a believer that just about anything is possible with a little dialogue. She’s on a mission, to chart a different course for public conversations, better conversations that open possibility, cultivate collaboration and spark change through dialogue.  As the owner of Dialogue Partners, Kim has been a leader in the field of stakeholder and community engagement for over 15 years. If there is a tough topic, she’s likely talked about it, having facilitated conversations on land use, energy, healthcare, government strategy, large-scale budgets, and private sector mergers.

Alongside her professional role – she had a long proud history with the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. Here’s what she had to say, “For many years my life and the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers were deeply interwoven.. Finding a passion for dance at 14, I joined the ranks of the Viter Ukrainian Dancers and shortly after, set my sights on Shumka. From 1999-2016 Ukrainian dance was my everyday. From performing as a dancer, instructing at SSD, leading summer camps, serving on the Board, volunteering for curriculum development – Shumka filled my heart and my calendar. Looking back, I appreciate the many performing opportunities, but even more so, I’m also grateful for the Shumka community I formed.  Lucky me – I even found the man I’d build my life with. The last number of years, I’ve needed to step away, nurture my family, build a business and figure out how I wanted to contribute. AND so, I’m back and delighted to be serving on the 2024-2025 USD Board of Directors.”

Joshua has been a member of the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers since December 2019. His dance journey began at the age of 6, when he was enrolled by his parents in the Shumka School of Dance. He danced for 5 years until taking a short break to pursue other interests in his early adolescence. At age 13, after watching his brother and cousins perform with the company, Joshua’s passion for dance was reawakened. Currently approaching five years as a company member, his relationship with Shumka has continued to mature, evolve, and grow.

Joshua has been privileged to be able to contribute to the Shumka organization in other ways as both a five-time Camp Coordinator for the summer camp program, a member for the Shumka Artistic Commiee, and as an instructor in the Shumka School of Dance. He considers these roles to have not only deepened his love of Shumka, but also his desire to contribute outside of the studio.

Aside from his involvement with Shumka, Joshua is a lead instructor at Parkland Ukrainian Dance Society. Additionally, Joshua is a fourth-year student at the University of Alberta in the faculty of Engineering. Select academic achievements include being a two-time recipient of the Louise Mckinney Scholarship, and most recently being the recipient of the Newbert Construction and Engineering Ltd. Award.

Joshua cares deeply for the Shumka organization, and feels that he has gained a lot of insight into the inner workings of the organization.

Breanna is a dedicated and community-minded individual who brings a unique blend of organizational, creative, and collaborative skills to the board. Committed to the values and vision of community growth, Breanna has demonstrated strong leadership and adaptability through managing social media accounts for the restaurant she works at, balancing responsibilities as a university school student, showing up to dance three days a week and supporting community initiatives.

With experience in organizing church meetings, Breanna understands the importance of thoughtful discussion, respectful collaboration, and e[ective decision-making. Their ability to juggle multiple roles while staying committed to service reflects a strong sense of accountability and teamwork.

Having grown up outside of Edmonton, Breanna brings a fresh perspective and new ideas. Her insight helps build bridges, connect with those who may feel on the margins, and foster inclusivity by encouraging broader participation.

Breanna has aspired to become a physician since elementary school, and medicine remains one of her greatest passions. She carries this same dedication into her involvement with the Ukrainian community, where she hopes to apply the skills she gains through serving on the board to further support and uplift others.

Above all, Breanna is ready to share their expertise, open doors in the community, and contribute to building a stronger, diverse future together.

My name is Kelly Shapka, I am 55 years old. I have spent my entire career in the bookkeeping industry.

I started my home based business, Easy Accounting Services, in 1994 on a part time basis and took it full time in 2016 after the company I had worked at for 23 years shut down.

I lost my Husband in 2020 so it has been just me and my two dogs working from home. In 2023 I decided it was time to venture out of my home a little bit more so I went to work, part time, at Westjet as a Customer Service Agent. I really enjoy the relationships with my colleagues and the interactions with our guests.

In my spare time, I love to play darts and have successfully made the Alberta Provincial team 3 times which allowed me to travel to other provinces and compete on a national level. I cofounded the Edmonton Mixed Singles Dart League in 2013 and our league is currently playing out of the Norwood Legion.

Next to my dogs, my family and friends are the most important part of my life and I love spending time with all of them.

Nicole Thibault is a chemist with over 20 years of experience and currently works as a Senior Environmental Data Technician. She specializes in database development, data analysis, and supports environmental project teams with data interpretation. Her technical expertise in administration, data systems, and process development o[ers a unique and valuable perspective in arts governance.

Nicole demonstrates a strong dedication to Edmonton’s arts and cultural sector through both leadership and volunteer roles. She produces Die-Nasty: The Improvised Soap Opera and currently serves as President of the Munt Performance Association and as a Director with Common Ground Arts Society. She has also been a team leader with the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival’s box o[ice for over 20 years. Her past board experience includes roles with Rapid Fire Theatre and the Varscona Theatre Alliance.

With key strengths in governance, administration, database management, and fundraising campaign support, Nicole is passionate about using her specialized skillset to strengthen arts organizations behind the scenes. She believes the arts are consistently underfunded and overextended, and is committed to helping organizations thrive by helping things run more smoothly, improving systems, and supporting long-term growth.

Lindsay Yakimyshyn is a communications and governance professional who is passionate about empowering Alberta’s children and youth and strengthening our communities.

Originally from Camrose, Alberta, Lindsay was actively involved in dance and local theatre from a young age. She was fortunate to have opportunities to act and direct in small professional productions and to turn this interest into academic pursuits. Lindsay holds a BA in English and Drama from the University of Alberta, an MA in English Literature from Queen’s University, and a PhD in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of Alberta. Much of her academic work focused on early modern theatre, reflecting her lifelong passion for the arts.

With more than a decade of experience as a professional writer and editor, Lindsay brings a wealth of expertise in e[ectively engaging audiences through a range of media and publications. She currently serves as managing editor for a news publication with a circulation of 34,500.

Throughout her career and volunteer work, she has contributed to committees focused on communications, public engagement, fundraising and strategic planning. Lindsay has held numerous volunteer roles within the community and has previously served on the board of directors for the Zebra Child Protection Centre and on the executive of the ATA’s Professional Sta[ Association as chair/president.

Above all, Lindsay is a proud dance mom, with two children currently dancing at the Shumka School of Dance. She deeply values the dedication of Shumka’s dancers, parents, sta[ and broader community in enriching the artistic landscape and supporting the Ukrainian community—and she looks forward to contributing to this meaningful work.

When he is not performing with Shumka, Michael works as a Registered Nurse at the University of Alberta Hospital on a neurosurgery unit. Providing essential care for others has developed Michael’s interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and organization, all motivated by a desire to assist others. He hopes to utilize these talents along with his love for the arts to serve Shumka and the Ukrainian community at large, working towards continued success and new horizons.