john milakovic, president

Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, as the youngest with three siblings: two beautiful sisters, and a very special brother with Down Syndrome, Matthew. It is John and Matthew’s close relationship that inspired the idea of HEAL YEG. Like two peas in a pod, the brothers grew up as the best of friends. Matthew taught John many lessons. The most important being that deep down, we are all the same. That it's what's inside that counts. As a result of his disability, Matthew is unable to effectively communicate and verbalize his thoughts. So, John was his personal translator – his voice, for others to understand him. It is John's belief that he is here to be a voice for his brother, and others like him. To speak up for anyone dealing with physical or mental health issues. This is the inspiration for HEAL YEG. To create a platform that encourages people to speak and rise up for themselves and for others; supporting and working with the incredible people that make up our great city of Edmonton. He aims to help and inspire as many people as possible with the help of his talented team.

John has also been a musician for most of his life, performing across Western Canada and the United States, and pursues this passion, among others, in his spare time.

Becky plomp, vice president

Becky has worked in public service for the past ten years, focusing on program and project management for Motor Vehicle Registries. She has had the opportunity to work with leaders and teams across multiple Ministries and industries to lead and support a number of projects and strategic initiatives for the government. She also recently chaired a working group with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators that developed a best practice guide for foreign driver’s license reciprocity. Becky holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Project Management Professional Development Certificate from MacEwan University. She is a graduate of the Government of Alberta Leadership Development Program with the University of Alberta.

Becky has a background working in the hospitality industry and has always had a passion for organizing events, creating safe and fun spaces, and bringing people together. She is humbled and excited at the opportunity to join the HEAL YEG team and to combine her passion for customer service, event planning, and community engagement while supporting local businesses, non-profits, and members of the Edmonton community.

Evan gallant, director of events

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, and raised in St. Albert, Evan has grown up in a family that has been active in the community, through volunteerism and philanthropic endeavors for decades.

Evan currently works as a project manager and safety manager for Meadow Construction. He is also the current vice president of the board for Camp He Ho Ha. He is a previous board member of Urban Spirits Rotary Club and former action partner for the Gender-Based Violence & Sexual Assault Prevention Initiative. For five years, after he graduated from MacEwan University, he was working in healthcare where he gained many passions and relative experience that helped to boost HEAL YEG initiatives.

Evan is excited to apply his experience in fundraising and philanthropy to help HEAL YEG grow and achieve its goals in serving the Edmonton community.

Kurtis watts, director of Finance

Kurtis grew up in St. Albert, Alberta where he works at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Over the past 4 years, he has worked his way through the management trainee program. All of his hard work has paid off and he now holds a management position within the company.

Previously, Kurtis was a part of a local, student-founded business that operated out of St. Albert called Sods & Odds. With the help of 3 of his lifelong friends, they founded, operated, and eventually sold their business. Kurtis has always had a passion for volunteer work and was fortunate to win an AACL Award for inclusion in 2014 as part of the St. Albert Merchants, for his work with an individual with down syndrome. After HEAL YEG’s successful first year, it didn’t take long for them to spark his interest.

He is thrilled to bring his entrepreneurial drive to the organization by helping HEAL YEG grow and provide the help that those in need deserve.