Executive team

Lisa Swartzman is a seasoned senior executive with a foundation in finance that is complemented by operational experience gained in numerous CEO/C-Suite and advisory roles. Lisa successfully combines her knowledge and skills in leading large companies with an entrepreneurial mindset and approach. She has significant experience working in complex, regulated environments for publicly traded and privately held companies across many sectors.

Lisa currently operates BGO Advisory which provides strategic advisory and turnaround management services to mid-market companies.

Lisa’s previous experience includes five years as President of AirBoss of America Corp. (TSX: BOS), a multi-divisional manufacturing organization with a highly technical and diverse portfolio and facilities in Canada, the US and Asia. She also spent over 15 years with George Weston Limited/Loblaw Companies Limited/President’s Choice Financial in progressively senior positions, culminating as Vice President, Treasurer.

Lisa has an MBA from Queen’s University and has her Institute-certified Director designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. She is currently active on the boards of Prana Organic, Flourish, Mama Earth, and Distress Centres of Greater Toronto.

With a background in Business Management, Strategic Planning, Management in Retailing and an ICD.D designation, Jeff brings more than 40 years of experience to Calgary Co-op. During his 13 years at Co-op, Jeff values the local member ownership and governance of the organization, how Co-op has become a part of the fabric of the city, and how passionate the team members are in serving the community. In addition to Calgary Co-op, Jeff also sits as the Board Chair for Co-operative Superannuation Society, one of the oldest and largest Defined Contribution Pension Plans in Canada, and is also a Board Member for the Alberta Liquor Store Association.

Damon began his career in Real Estate Development more than 21 years ago, working for retailers such as Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall and Wendy’s, as well as development firms Windridge Properties and Hopewell Development Corporation. He has been a member of the Calgary Co-op leadership team since 2017, valuing the cooperative culture that runs deeply through the organization, and how Co-op is part of the community, providing service and support to members. He brings an extensive background in real estate development, acquisition and divestiture, strategic planning and retail expansion. In addition to strong leadership skills and experience, Damon has decades of real estate and development experience, and a prior background working with the leading Pharmacy chain in Canada. In 2023, Damon took on the added executive responsibility of leading Calgary Co-op’s Pharmacy division and in the summer of 2024, he also took on leading Calgary Co-op’s Home Health Care business, as well as Community Natural Foods. He also helped steer the acquisition of Care Pharmacies for Calgary Co-op. Damon sat on the Board of Directors at YMCA Calgary from 2019-2022 and was a key member of their Strategy and A&I committees.

Penney brings almost 25 years of experience in customer research and marketing, as well as a B. Sc. (Biology) and an MBA to the Calgary Co-op team. Having joined Co-op in 2018, Penney is incredibly proud and honoured to be a part of the team, especially because of its deep roots in the community. To her, being local is special not only for the products that Co-op carries, but the organization’s ability to connect with the community and support neighbours when they need it. Penney is currently the chair of the Calgary Co-op Foundation, which is driven by the purpose of enriching Calgary Co-op’s member communities by addressing food security among vulnerable populations.

With a background in Management Information Systems and Applied Mathematics, Fadi started his career at Dome Petroleum and Amoco Canada, specializing in managing financial systems, merger coordination/system integration, information systems security and operational auditing. He later founded a management consulting and business systems development company, specializing in risk management and business continuity planning in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Fadi has been with Calgary Co-op for more than 9 years and values the organization’s progressive thinking and desire to advance technology innovation to meet the growing need for automated customer-facing applications. Fadi is also a member of the Industry Advisory Council of the Haskayne school of Business and holds a variety of certifications, including Certified Business Continuity Planner (CBCP); Certified Internal Auditor (CIA); Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA); Certified Computer Professional (CCP); and Information Systems Professional (ISP).

Bart began his retail career more than 40 years ago. He has 17 years experience in Store Operations with national retailers, having managed retail stores across the country. In 2005, he made the switch to Human Resources, and has been with Calgary Co-op for more than 26 years. Bart appreciates that Calgary Co-op is local and employs more than 3,700 individuals in Calgary and surrounding area, making Co-op a part of the fabric of Calgary, and contributing to the local economy. In addition to his career at Co-op, Bart has served on the Board of Hockey Calgary and currently sits on the Board of the Alberta Community and Cooperative Association (ACCA).