Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta Women of Inspiration - Presented by Syncrude

Anefe Hachac

Anefe Hachac is a strong supporter of women and shows this support daily in her dealings with her staff and through her community involvement. Ms. Hachac is the General Manager of the Franklin Suite Hotel and is the only female to hold this position. She earned her degree in Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Adamson University. Anefe or Annie, as she is called, encourages and empowers her female subordinates to learn and achieve through her leadership. She views each and every employee as being vital to the success of the hotel’s operation. Through her leadership, the hotel has had its staff nominated for Star Awards for service and the Franklin Suite Hotel has been named as one of the recipients of the Community in Bloom Award.

Despite her hectic work schedule, Ms. Hachac, is an avid volunteer within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. She has volunteered for the homelessness initiative by speaking with homeless indigenous people and doing surveys to gather information. She is also a strong supporter of the local Food Bank and helps with fundraising efforts. She is an active member and volunteer for the Catholic

Women’s league, providing hospitality services to St. John’s and St. Paul’s Churches. She is described by her friends as being ‘full of life’. She has a sincere interest in the well- being of others and works to bring positive change to her community.

Education is very important to Ms. Hachac and she never misses the opportunity to give advice to young girls on the importance and value of education and how far reaching it is going to be in their life’s journey. She encourages girls not to allow themselves to be stereotyped in terms of gender and ability. She is a role model to others by encouraging them to pursue their dreams and goals. She is a friend to many and a deserving recipient for recognition as a Woman of Inspiration.

Jude Friesen 

Ms. Friesen is the school counsellor at the Bill Woodward School in Anzac. She graduated from the University of Calgary, where she specialized in counselling and psychotherapy. She has been at the Bill Woodward School for 15 years and resides in the Gregoire Lake Estates. Jude is not only the liaison between the schools and the community but she takes on a support role to all of the students and their families. She is a positive mentor to the high school students without parents and takes on a motherly role with the graduating class. 

Ms. Friesen has a strong connection to the First Nations communities and believes in building a strong unified community with all cultures being encouraged and appreciated. She encourages local traditional dancers to showcase their culture through their dance and started a drumming circle at the school. 

One of her former students applauds her ability to inspire others just by being herself”… seeing her in the hallways first thing in the morning while she’s greeting you with her soft voice and amazing smile can really make your day, especially when you woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” 

Jude is described by her co-workers as a kind and caring woman who works hard to help girls achieve their goals .Ms. Friesen was the recipient of the RMWB’s exceptional citizens award. This award is given at the Mayor and Council’s Toast of Champions event. Nominations are based on overall achievement, impact or contribution to the region. Ms. Friesen exemplifies leadership through her work in developing the ‘positive school climate committee. She is also active in the Roots of Empathy Steering Committee and advocates passionately for children and families in Anzac. Other activities that she willingly takes on include the full circle mentoring program, Girls Inc. programming, Girl Power, peacemakers, global citizenship, paradigm esteem. 

Ms. Friesen will provide anything that will help a child develop into a strong, smart and bold individual.Be it starting a jigging class for her students or by being the ear that they need to listen and advice, she is an excellent example of a Woman of Inspiration.

Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Syncrude will honour Aanefe (Annie) Hachac, Jude Friesen and 10 other nominees, at the Women of Inspiration Celebration which will take place in June, 2017 The Women of Inspiration is a partnership between Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Syncrude, with a goal to recognize women throughout the Wood Buffalo region who inspire others, break new ground or old barriers and help create change. The series also aims to show local girls positive role models who live right here.

To nominate a Woman of Inspiration, please visit our website at girlsincofnorthernalberta.org or contact the Girls Inc. office at 780-790-9236