MEET OUR TEAM

We are The Broom Tree Foundation
Group of six women sitting on a brown couch in a room with green walls, with a decorative metal tree wall art behind them.

We are The Broom Tree Foundation, a boots on the ground resource for people in need in our community. Through our network of local community support groups, as well as with the help of individual donors, we will work together to meet needs and share hope to those who need it. We do not know what needs will come through our door, but we know that we have the means to meet them together. 

Who we are
    Foundation Staff & Directors    
A woman with curly gray hair sitting on a vintage wooden armchair in a dimly lit room, wearing a beige blazer, black top, and blue jeans, with a serious expression.

DONNA ABMA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Donna is the founder and leader of the Broom Tree Foundation. Her passion, desire and willingness to walk along side women who are struggling is undeniable and inspiring. For many years Donna has envisioned a foundation where any woman regardless of their economic status or situation can obtain the necessary supports to build and foster healthy, vital and independent lives. In January 2020 her long-time vision became a reality. Donna’s tenacity and drive have inspired and mobilized the community to come together for a shared purpose.

A woman with brown hair wearing a beige knit vest over a white long-sleeve shirt, standing in a living room with a brown couch and a decorative wall art of a gold tree on a green wall, smiling at the camera.

TAMARA NOORDHOF
PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Tamara Noordhof is one of the co-founders serving as program director of the Broom Tree Foundation. She is a registered Social Worker and has been integral to the development and orchestration of what the Broom Tree is today. She is passionate about serving her community and helping people who may not have adequate support to find meaning and valuable connections in their lives.

Tamara loves to motivate and encourage others to get involved in their communities and church. She believes that when the community comes together to support one another, the impact will be profound.

A woman with dark hair in a black blazer and beige sweater, sitting in a pink velvet armchair, in a room with dark green wall and a framed picture. There is a table with a candle and a vase of pampas grass.

KESHIA CARMICHAEL
BRIDGES PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Keshia has her diploma in addictions. After fulfilling her practicum hours with the Broom Tree Foundation, we were excited to offer her a job right away. Keshia has also been a volunteer with our Broom Tree Sisters Program and in our Café. Keshia has a heart to serve. She is always one of the first people to step up and offer to help when any need arises and is willing to use her many gifts and talents to serve her community well. Keshia also is a doula and is passionate about offering pregnancy, labor and postpartum support.

A woman with wavy blonde hair and a friendly expression sitting on a couch in a modern living room.

ALISSA MORRISON
BROOM TREE SISTERS COORDINATOR

Alissa is our Broom Tree Sisters Program Coordinator. She is a mother of 4 and has her BA in Psychology. She was inspired by the work the Broom Tree Foundation was doing right away and is a Broom Tree Sister herself. Alissa has been involved in supporting people in their journey to better mental health for many years. She has a strong passion for helping others and shows kindness to all that she meets. She looks forward to serving the community and making a real difference.

A woman with light brown hair, tattoos on her arms, and earrings, sitting on a couch in a room with green walls and a decorative metal wall hanging of a tree in the background.

CHELSEA FELT
ATTAINABLE HOUSING PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Chelsea is our Attainable Housing Program Coordinator. She is married to her best friend and is a proud mom of two amazing adult kids. Her journey of helping others began with volunteering for Lacombe Victim Services and serving as a Broom Tree Sister. 

Deeply passionate about creating safe spaces for healing, Chelsea is dedicated to supporting individuals as they navigate their unique life paths. With 20 years of experience in the corporate sector, Chelsea has developed strong skills in leadership, empathy, and fostering community. Her compassion and unwavering commitment inspire her to walk alongside those who need support the most.

A woman with blonde hair, wearing glasses, a blue shirt, and a green and blue scarf, sitting on a brown couch with a white pillow.

LAURIE ORANGE
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Laurie has volunteered with the Broom Tree Foundation as a Broom Tree Sister, in the office and generally where needed. After a career in the federal public service, it has been wonderful to see the creativity and “just get it done” way that Broom Tree staff are able to help those in need.

Laurie has a background in working with not-for-profit service providers and businesses to deliver employment programming. She also worked in community outreach, promoting and then connecting people to available programs and services. She has recruited and managed volunteers for charitable events and continues to volunteer as a group facilitator for caregivers.

After relocating to Alberta to be near family several years ago, Laurie has come to love Lacombe and the way the community supports people needing assistance. Though relatively new, she feels like a true Albertan! It is an honour to be chosen as The Broom Tree Volunteer Coordinator. She is excited to meet potential volunteers and to discover each person’s unique abilities and how they might fit into The Broom Tree vision.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair sitting on a brown leather couch, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a black shirt and an olive green jacket, with a dark background and wall art behind her.

HELMA TOLSMA
SOCIAL IMPACT COORDINATOR

From the very first time I learned about The Broom Tree Foundation, I was excited about it's vision and its mission. After volunteering in the cafe, taking the Broom Tree Sister training, and being paired up with a lovely young lady to walk alongside, I came to love it even more. 

Cooking and baking are a way in which I enjoy serving others, and the cafe was a great place for me to do so. It is such a blessing to experience and see so many willing hands and hearts as we as a community are the hands and feet on serving and loving those in need around us.

Board Members
A smiling woman with blonde hair sitting on a stool in a cozy living room. She wears a beige sweater and black pants. There is a brown couch behind her and a wall decoration of a gold and black tree on the wall. Green plants are on the left side of the image.

BECKY KOOIKER
VICE CHAIR/ CO-FOUNDER

Becky joined the foundation because of her willingness to walk alongside women in crisis and help them achieve their potential. Becky is a wife and mom of four busy boys and understands how important it is for young moms to have the appropriate supports. Becky truly has a servant’s heart. She is always willing to do the hard work and help in any way she can. Becky’s amazing gifts in practical strategy and planning lends itself perfectly to this foundation and we are so honoured to have her be a part of it.

Smiling woman with short gray hair, wearing a black top and jewelry, sitting on a stool in a cozy room with a brown sofa, green plant, and decorative wall art.

JANIS BUTCHER
SECRETARY/ CO-FOUNDER

Janis joined the Broom Tree Foundation board without hesitation as she is passionate about making a positive and life changing impact on the lives of the women in her community. Janis’s contribution to the foundation is essential to the organization’s success. Her leadership qualities, professionalism and interior design education are a tremendous asset as the Broom Tree Café develops and we continually depend on her wisdom, expertise and dynamic creative mind as this foundation continues to grow.

A middle-aged woman with short red hair and glasses, sitting on a stool with a brown couch and decorative wall art of a tree behind her in a room with gray walls and green plants.

COREY GISH
TREASURER/ CO-FOUNDER

Corey Gish is a lawyer who has been practicing in Lacombe since 1997.  Corey’s volunteer history ranges from Lacombe Chamber of Commerce in her early years, to participation in a variety of minor sport association roles and as her children have grown expanding to current commitments which include the Lacombe Police Commission and the Lacombe Health Trust and now The Broom Tree Foundation Ltd.

A young woman with shoulder-length blonde hair smiling at the camera while sitting on a brown sofa in a cozy room with warm lighting.

WHITNEY ANDERSON
CHAIR

Whitney is a local business owner who puts plans into action. She wants to help other women achieve their goals by giving them a means of support and mentorship.

Whitney’s gifts have been evident in many ways since she came aboard. Whitney is a visionary who continues to encourage growth in our foundation with her entrepreneurial spirit and desire to contribute to Central Alberta.

Agency Structure

BOARD GOVERNANCE

Whitney Anderson - Chair
Becky Kooiker - Vice Chair
Janis Butcher - Secretary
Corey Gish - Treasurer

BROOM TREE FOUNDING MEMBERS

Donna Abma
Tamara Noordhof
Corey Gish
Janis Butcher
Becky Kooiker

BROOM TREE FOUNDATION EMPLOYEES

Donna Abma - Executive Director
Tamara Noordhof, RSW - Program Director
Keshia Carmichael - Bridges Program Director
Chelsea Felt - Attainable Housing Program Director
Alissa Morrison, BA - Broom Tree Sisters Coordinator
Helma Tolsma - Social Impact Coordinator
Laurie Orange - Volunteer Coordinator