Slate of Candidates: ACC Board of Directors Elections 2026
Current Election Cycle (2026-2029)
The ACC Nomination Committee has identified the following individuals will stand for election to the ACC Board of Directors for the three-year period of 2026 to 2029.
The election for these positions will be held between April 1 and April 30, 2026. ACC members over the age of 18 as of March 1, 2026 will receive voting information to the email address associated with their membership.
Results of the election will be announced at the ACC Annual General Meeting in May and will be communicated to the membership through ACC channels.
2026 Slate of Candidates
Treasurer (up for vote)
Serving as a board officer for financial governance and oversight, the Treasurer of The Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) is responsible for overseeing the club’s financial health, including through strategic planning, budget and investment management, and oversight of financial reporting to the Board and stakeholders.
An online Q&A will be held for ACC members to get to know candidates before the election period. The date of the Q&A will be held in March and will be determined in the coming weeks. Information about the Q&A will be circulated to members as it becomes available.
Pamela Johnson, candidate
I am interested in serving as Treasurer of the Alpine Club of Canada because I value the Club’s long-standing commitment to stewardship, community, and responsible access to Canada’s mountain environments. I have a deep passion for spending time in the mountains, and at this stage in my life and career, I have both the desire and capacity to devote meaningful time and energy to supporting the ACC through Board service.
I am a Chartered Professional Accountant with over fifteen years of experience in financial leadership, governance, and risk management. I have served on several non-profit boards as a Treasurer, Board Chair, and founding board member, working closely with fellow directors to strengthen financial oversight, transparency, and long-term sustainability. I view the Treasurer role as one of stewardship and support—ensuring the Board has clear, reliable financial information to guide thoughtful, mission-aligned decisions.
My connection to the ACC is personal and ongoing. I have been an avid hiker for more than thirty years, and time in the mountains has long been central to my sense of balance and well-being. Last summer, I spent five days at the Elizabeth Parker Hut, which deepened my appreciation for the care and shared responsibility required to maintain the ACC’s hut system. These spaces foster community and reinforce respect for both the landscape and fellow members.
I would be honoured to contribute my governance experience, financial expertise, and personal commitment to the ACC as Treasurer, supporting the Club’s long-term sustainability and service to its members.
Mitch Basher, candidate
My connection to the Alpine Club of Canada started in 2018 as I began collecting the annual alpine journal which fueled my passion for the mountains. I formally joined the ACC in January 2024 with the aim of deepening my involvement in mountaineering and ice climbing. As a member of the Vancouver Island Section, I have been steadily growing my connection to the local mountaineering community while working through the Island Qualifier Peaks. The ACC’s emphasis on mountain adventure, stewardship, and community strongly resonates with both my personal values and the way I approach my professional life.
Since obtaining my CPA designation, I have spent the last several years seeking a meaningful opportunity to give back through volunteer service that directly aligns with my skills and interests. The Treasurer role represents a natural intersection of my professional experience and my passion for the mountains. My financial and governance experience comes from my background in managing audit engagements for not-for-profit organizations. My work focuses on financial reporting, governance, and risk management in accordance with the accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations.
The stories shared through the alpine journal and the wealth of experience from our members continue to inspire my own personal development. I strive to learn from the similar wealth of experience of the current board and contribute my own financial expertise to further strengthen the financial position of the ACC. I am motivated to serve as Treasurer out of a genuine commitment to the ACC’s long-term financial health and governance. I believe my combination of professional financial expertise and passion for mountaineering and outdoor stewardship would allow me to contribute meaningfully to the ACC’s continued success and support to its members.
Director at Large (acclaimed)
There are six (6) Directors at Large in The Alpine Club of Canada (ACC). Each Director plays vital roles in ensuring effective governance and administration of the organization. These roles participate fully in all Board meetings and votes, and in addition are assigned other duties by the President, which could include chairing or being members of Committees and/or supporting operational matters on an ad hoc basis.
An online Q&A will be held for ACC members to get to know candidates before the election period. This Q&A will be held on March 4 at 6pm MST.
Ravi Deshpande
I’m a retired health executive and clinician with a lifelong dedication to the outdoors. I began my career as a clinical pharmacologist and university professor. Seeking a change from academia, I founded a health services company supporting biotech drugs. After selling that company, I took on strategic corporate roles within a Fortune 5 company, where I was engaged in setting strategy and managing mergers and acquisitions. I’m now on the boards of several health startups, and am a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Faculty of Pharmacy at the U of T, where I also mentor graduate students, helping to shape the future of pharmaceutical education and practice. Outside of my professional pursuits, my passion for the outdoors has been a constant thread throughout my life through canoeing, camping, hiking and climbing.
An avid amateur climber, I favour the Alberta Rockies despite the poor quality of rock! I am committed to advancing and promoting mountaineering culture and am active with the ACC in supporting the rebuilding of the Abbot Pass Hut—a site of personal significance to me. With the ACC, I hope to use my strategic and organizational management skills to support new initiatives and guide the continued evolution of the club and meet people who share my passion for the mountains.
Jaro Cooper
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