Meet the team.

Journey Club is Westman Village’s ode and investment toward the senior generation. This facility is geared towards full, engaged, thoughtful lives with the utmost dignity for individuals of all activity and health levels. Journey Club residents fill the halls of Westman Village with the light, laughter and intelligence that only time and experience can lend.

The staff behind the people are just as central to Journey Club’s success-would you like to meet them? Here goes!

Jennifer Fulkerth

Jennifer Fulkerth

Executive Director

Jennifer grew up in southern Alberta, and is now a local Mahoganite living right here in Mahogany. While living in Ottawa for 5 years, she went to school for nursing where she has been fortunate enough to work in several settings including acute care, continuing care, home care and education. Jennifer fell in love with the nursing profession because of its nature- taking care of people especially at their most vulnerable state. She thought of doing interior designing for her love for design, but helping other people was her passion. 

When she is not at work you can find her exploring the outdoors and the mountains with her husband and daughter who are her pride and joy. In addition to her family, she also has 2 dogs and a bunny and feels she is well on her way to having a small home zoo. One very important thing to note for Jennifer is that, she has a sweet tooth!

Jennifer has had the privilege to be able to combine two passions- business and nursing which has led her to Director of Operations roles for companies in the private sectors. With Jennifer’s background in both care and operations, and previously being the Wellness Navigator, she has earned the position of Journey Club’s leader of the pack.

Tara Nini

Tara Nini

Director of Sales

Tara’s passion for helping others began at a young age when she left her small hometown in New Brunswick to travel and volunteer abroad. As she ventured back to Canada, she planted roots on the west coast and worked as a Registered Massage Therapist for many years before finding her way into new home sales, then finally discovering her true calling in the luxury senior living sector.

With her natural ability to form connections, mixed with her altruistic nature, she is the perfect fit for the Director of Sales role at The Journey Club.

Don’t ask her anything about sports, but she probably knows some random fun facts about most countries, tips on where to travel to and experience the best food.

Aimel Abelgas

Aimel Abelgas

Resident Services Coordinator

Her name is Aimel, but you can call her Mel. Way over yonder in the Philippines, she built a considerable care portfolio as a Registered Nurse, so she immediately and steadily connected with work and education opportunities once she arrived in Canada in 2012. Our land of inspired opportunity encouraged Mel to strive for more from her background and she graduated in 2019 with a Bachelors in Management.

Mel enjoys traveling whether by land, sea or air. You can best describe her as two things: a foodie and someone who is always on the go! She also has a passion to be involved in various local and international organizations, taking time to volunteer and serve whenever she could.

Much like her adventure into Canada, her position in Westman Village has been one of increasing trust and responsibility. Her commitment to her education led to a leadership role promotion, where she cultivates the steadiness and humanity befitting a top quality care and service provider.

Harmandeep Litt

Harmandeep Litt

Wellness Navigator

Harman grew up in India and from a young age, had a passion for caring for people – which eventually led her to study nursing. She graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing in India in 2011. In 2013, she moved to Canada to explore new opportunities. Her nursing background ranges from working in acute care to assisted living to long-term care settings.

When Harman’s not working, she loves to spend time with her family and particularly enjoys gathering for religious and cultural events. Her toddler keeps her on her toes and is her pride and joy. Harman also has the passion for cooking and has a sweet tooth for various Indian treats and chocolates.

Jillian Manjares

Jillian Manjares

Director of Recreation

Jillian has been working with Seniors since she was 17 years old which explains her passion in this kind of industry. In 2014, she was promoted as a Recreation Assistant at one of the biggest retirement communities in the city and had never looked back since then. Her craftmanship and creativity allowed her to excel in Recreation Therapy. She has the natural flare for the profession and her passion towards making Senior living fun and memorable is what makes her stands out among others.

Jillian is a very artistic individual. Whether it be painting, calligraphy, poster making, and other arts and crafts, she is always the go to person for all of it. Jillian is also a fur-mom of a black Cavapoo named Blake. For her, having a dog is like having someone looking forward to going home to. Whenever she has long days at work, Blake is her stress-reliever.

She started in the Journey Club as a Recreation Coordinator in late 2018 and our Residents have loved her ever since. Jillian eventually earned the position as the Recreation Manager this year 2021 which was one of the best decisions the Journey Club team ever made. She not only earned it, but she also deserved it. She definitely embodies the culture we practice as an organization.

Zsa Zsa Gabriel

Zsa Zsa Gabriel

Team Lead – Care Services

Maria Estela Paz or commonly known as “Zsa Zsa” to many, is a Licensed Practical Nurse by profession. She has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Philippines plus a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She also holds an active license as a Registered Nurse in the Philippines with a background in Surgical ICU.

Although Zsa Zsa has worked in the corporate world for 7 years, her passion for caring for people eventually led her to a career in nursing. She started her nursing journey in Canada in 2017, working as a nurse at a Foot Surgical Clinic in Calgary, where she assisted 2 podiatric surgeons for three and a half years. She also has a background in geriatric nursing, having worked in various assisted living and dementia care facilities.

And most people may not know this, but she’s super into fashion and truly knows how to carry herself. She also used to engage in the sport of archery.

Zsa Zsa has been with our team since 2018. She is grateful and honoured to be the new Nurse Team Lead as we continue to uphold the mission and vision of The Journey Club together.

Reid Clarke

Reid Clarke

Controller

Reid was born and raised in Vernon BC, home of the 6-time National Champion Vernon Vipers, Silver Star mountain and two beautiful lakes. He grew up a fan of the Vancouver Canucks and maintains that loyalty to this day.

Since graduating from the University of Saskatchewan in 2008, Reid has called Calgary home. He began articling as a Chartered Accountant in 2008 with the accounting firm BDO and obtained his designation in 2011. In between studying, working and other demands, Reid feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to 18 countries. This provided him with many memorable experiences including an interest in many different cuisines. When asked to name a favourite dish, he struggled to narrow it down to 3: Greek souvlaki, Thai curries and Mexican tacos.

When he is not rubbing elbows with the lovely residents and staff of the Journey Club, Reid can mostly likely be found playing tennis, basketball or recreational softball. Reid also enjoys camping in the summertime. There aren’t many natural nicknames for “Reid” but a handful of the residents of the Journey Club have taken to calling him “Mr. Wonderful”.

Blair Carlson

Blair Carlson

Executive Chef

Blair has been in the culinary industry for over 3 decades. Starting as a dishwasher/bus boy when he was 12, Blair has worked for many different restaurants and hotels during his 30 plus years in the business. One of his career highlights includes working at the Calgary Petroleum Club.

For the past 10 years, he has worked in the Senior Living industry. Having started in Red Deer, he transferred to Calgary to open the culinary department for a new property, ultimately gaining the experience that led him to The Journey Club. He is happy to have joined our team and we couldn’t be happier to have him as our Executive Chef.

Outside of work, Blair loves spending time with his family the most. He and his wife of 24 years have 4 boys and 11 grandchildren – whom they absolutely love and spoil.

Blair has also been a football coach for his boys, played baseball for over 20 years, and is an avid golfer.

Henry

Henry

Chief Happiness Officer

Henry is a black lab, and a professionally trained facility service dog. He joined The Journey Club team in February of 2023. Dogs have been proven to decrease stress, increase social interaction and companionship, improve physical health and provide purpose to those around them. Henry has become a local celebrity at The Journey Club, and throughout Westman Village. Henrys favorite things include, treats, snow, his stuffed monkey, and more treats. He loves being a part of our team, and you can find him providing love and companionship to our residents, families and team throughout his day.