Operations Team

Charlene is Chief Executive Officer of the HQCA. Charlene has been with the HQCA since 2004, and oversees daily operations, while providing expertise and guidance to ensure the organization meets its legislated mandate and strategic and business plan objectives. She has more than 30 years’ experience in healthcare and has held a variety of leadership roles. Prior to joining the HQCA, Charlene worked within the former Calgary District Hospital Group and Calgary Health Region, Calgary Laboratory Services, and Carewest.

In addition to her formal training as a medical laboratory technologist where she started her career in healthcare, Charlene holds a Master of Business Administration in Executive Management from Royal Roads University.

As Executive Director, Communications & Engagement, Lisa advises and collaborates within the HQCA to ensure the organization maintains its positive reputation for transparency, credibility, and objectivity. With expertise in strategic communications and planning, media relations, writing and editing, issues management and stakeholder communications, Lisa has oversight for all communication activities within the organization, ensuring its healthcare partners and the public are engaged in the HQCA’s work in a way that is meaningful and appropriate.

Prior to joining the HQCA, Lisa held a variety of communications roles spanning 15 years in several organizations including FortisAlberta and the Alberta Electric System Operator. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies from the University of Calgary and is an Accredited Business Communicator through the International Association of Business Communicators.

As Executive Director, Health System Analytics, Markus oversees the HQCA’s measurement and analytical functions, as well as many of the monitoring and reporting functions such as population-level surveys and health system performance reporting. This involves survey and administrative data analytics, and survey development, methodology, and reporting. Markus plays a key role in the HQCA’s use of objective information to drive actionable improvement that enhances quality healthcare.

Markus joined the HQCA in 2009 following a career with Statistics Canada’s Research Data Centre at the University of Calgary where he was responsible for managing and coordinating daily operations, and conducting population research. He collaborated with other multidisciplinary teams from across Canada to identify and implement strategic and systematic changes to the program.

Markus holds a PhD in sociology with a specialization in health research from the University of Calgary and a Master of Arts from Lakehead University. He has training in both quantitative and qualitative methods.

Jessica is Director, Financial Services with the HQCA, and has accountability for all financial systems and controls within the organization. She is a Chartered Accountant with more than 10 years of work experience in a variety of industries. Prior to joining the HQCA, Jessica spent seven years with an oil and gas service company working in a variety of financial roles and for a number of different projects. Her career also includes time with Ernst & Young providing assurance and advisory services to both public and private sector enterprises.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary and she has her Chartered Accountant designation through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta.