The Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) was originally established in 1972 as the Public Service Management Pension Plan for management employees of the Alberta government and approved agencies, boards and commissions. In 1993, new legislation was passed that retroactively split the plan into two separate plans: MEPP and the Public Service Management (Closed Membership) Pension Plan (PSM(CM)PP or “Closed Plan”). The latter plan relates to the entitlements of former managers not in active service as of August 1, 1992.
The Board has legislated responsibilities to MEPP and to the PSM(CM)PP. The mandate of the Board, as established under the PSPPA, Schedule 5, section 3, and Schedule 6 is to:
1.1 advise the Minister on any pension matter that is of interest to persons receiving or entitled in the future to receive benefits under MEPP;
1.2 consult with the Minister with respect to:
1.2.1 amending or repealing and replacing the Management Employees Pension Plan Regulation (the "Plan Rules");
1.2.2 conducting an actuarial valuation with respect to MEPP;
1.2.3 conducting an actuarial valuation with respect to the Closed Plan;
1.2.4 changes proposed to the Public Sector Pension Plans (Legislative Provisions) Regulation;
1.2.5 the cost to be charged for the administration of MEPP; and
1.2.6 the cost to be charged for the administration of the Closed Plan.
1.3 set general policy guidelines such as the Investment Policy on the investment and management of the MEPP Fund that it considers should be followed; and
1.4 set general policy guidelines on the administration of MEPP that it considers should be followed.
Board Investment Committee
The responsibility of the Board’s Investment Committee (IC) is to review the investment performance of the Plan’s fund with Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) with the assistance of the Board’s investment consultant. The IC also reviews MEPP's Investment Policy (IP), including the asset mix, on an annual basis and makes recommendations to the Board on changes it believes are required to prudently manage the Plan.
The responsibility of the Board's Investment Committee is to:
Monitor and evaluate the investment performance of the fund on a comprehensive basis (quarterly), by using performance investment reports requested of and compiled by AIMCo and/or external advisors;
Recommend contracting of external investment advisors;
Review results of a detailed assessment of AIMCo on an annual basis;
Assess the cost-effectiveness of investment strategies, structures, and processes;
Review reporting on compliance with the Board's policies, and with applicable laws and regulations;
Monitor changes in the Plan's membership characteristics, liability structure and contribution flows that may impact the Plan's investment strategies;
Commission analysis or reviews of specific investment issues related to the Plan;
Provide minutes to the Board once each quarter on the highlights of the Committee's activities and findings;
Complete an annual review of the Board's investment policies that includes the investment policy and the statement of investment beliefs; and
Advise and make recommendations to the Board on the:
MEPP Investment Policy;
Investment Management Agreement with AIMCo;
Strategies, practices and processes to manage the investment risks of the Plan or to improve the effectiveness of investment governance; and
Any other investment-related matter as requested by the Board or deemed appropriate by the Committee.
The Board has seven members, comprised of three employee nominees, three people nominated by the Government of Alberta and one non-voting member nominated by the Public Service Commissioner's Office. The PSPPA's Legislative Provisions Regulation requires that the offices of Board and Vice-Chair rotate every two years between employer and employee nominees.
Board Vision
That Plan members and employers have a pension plan that is affordable and sustainable.
Board Mission
To provide prudent governance over the Plan's assets and liabilities as well as ensuring effective Plan administration.
MEP Board Members
Deborah Polny
Board Chair
Deborah Polny, Board Chair
Ms. Polny completed her law degree from the University of Alberta (with Distinction) and currently holds the position of Legal Counsel & Corporate Secretary at Alberta Blue Cross. In this role, she is responsible for advising on a variety of legal issues that affect the organization. As Corporate Secretary, she has extensive involvement in the organization’s corporate governance program. She has over 20 years of legal experience with leading organizations in Alberta including ATB Financial, Alberta Blue Cross and a prominent Edmonton law firm.
Having served as Assistant General Counsel at ATB Financial, she gained knowledge in the financial services industry, provided governance advice, was a member of its operational risk committee, and was the legal advisor responsible for development of the organization’s derivative program. She gained extensive experience with pension plans as a member of ATB’s Retirement Committee and Defined Contribution Committee (and through continuous learning and development). She has been a guest speaker at national conferences on corporate governance issues and received her Accredited Director designation (Acc. Dir) through the Institute of Chartered Secretaries’ Association (iCSA) Canada. She received her certificate in Foundations of Trust Management Standards (FTMS) and Advanced Trust Management Standards (ATMS) (Level 1) from the International Foundation of Employee Benefits. She is a member of the Legal and Legislative Committee of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc.
Ms. Polny is aware of the importance that public sector governance plays to Albertans and looks forward to serving the Board. She was appointed to the Management Employees Pension Board, as an Employer nominee, effective January 1, 2018. This term expires on December 31, 2020.
Sonya Johnston (CPA, CMA, CPFA)
Board Vice-Chair
Sonya Johnston (CPA, CMA, CPFA), Board Vice-Chair
Ms. Johnston has over 20 years of experience in a variety of progressively responsible positions within the Government of Alberta. She currently holds the position of Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Corporate Services with Economic Development and Trade. Prior roles have included Executive Director, Service Development and Quality in Service Alberta, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Shared Services in Service Alberta and Executive Director, Corporate Consolidations and Reporting with Alberta Treasury Board and Finance. Sonya is a Chartered Professional Accountant and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in the United Kingdom.
Sonya is a member of the Foundation of Administrative Justice (FoAJ) (Edmonton); she has completed several courses in administrative appeals and tribunals. She is also a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and in 2015 completed the Governance Program for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises through the University of Alberta Executive Education program.
Sonya was appointed to the Management Employees Pension Board (MEPB) in September 2011 as an employee representative. Her current term will expire on December 31, 2020.
Shannon Patershuk is an actuarial consultant in Edmonton with extensive professional experience in financial risk management, communications, calculating pension plan valuations, and appeal consultations (including as a witness) in various fields. Her financial risk management experience includes many senior management positions with a major insurance company, working with major consulting firms in pension and benefits specialities, consultation and communications with benefits committees and boards, and organizing industry conferences. She has worked with a diverse clientele spanning many industries, including non-profit organizations and associations.
As an active member of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA), she is recognized for her active participation on volunteer committees. In addition to her professional qualifications as a Fellow of the CIA and Society of Actuaries (SOA), she qualified for the actuarial designation in Enterprise Risk Management (Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst) from the SOA.
She is a graduate of the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce Hons. Degree, majoring in Actuarial Science and Marketing. More recently, she achieved her MBA in Community Economic Development from Cape Breton University. Shannon has resided in Edmonton with her family for over 30 years.
Shannon was appointed to the Management Employees Pension Board as an Employer nominee, effective January 1, 2018. This term expires on December 31, 2020.
Dale Beesley
Board Member
Dale Beesley
Mr. Beesley is Assistant Deputy Minister of the Public Safety Division in Alberta Municipal Affairs. He has over 20 years in government in various roles, including Executive Director of Pension Policy in Alberta Treasury Board and Finance. In that role Mr. Beesley led the development of policy and provided advice on public sector pension plans in Alberta, including the Management Employees Pension Plan. He is a chartered management accountant and has led numerous large-scale projects in government.
Mr. Beesley was appointed to the Management Employees Pension Board as an employee nominee, effective March 17, 2020. His term expires on March 16, 2023.
Jon Himmens (MBA)
Board Member
Jon Himmens (MBA), Board Member
Mr. Himmens is a corporate director with a career background in strategy, financial leadership, governance, pensions management, insurance, international operations and capital markets.
He currently serves as the chairperson for the World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM) Audit Committee and leads risk management. He has previously served on the Special Forces Pension Board, where he chaired the Assets and Liabilities Committee.
Mr. Himmens is employed by IBM Canada Ltd., as a client executive for Alberta and has worked for TransAlta Corporation, the London Stock Exchange, NatWest Bank PLC (UK) and a number of junior accounting firms.
He gained his Accounting Technicians Qualification (UK) in 1991, and subsequently joined a variety of professional organizations, such as the Insurance Institute (IIC) and Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). Mr. Himmens has spent much of his career participating in audit committee work, risk management and board governance. He obtained his Executive MBA from the University of Calgary in 2005.
At present, he is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and continues with his formal education to progress towards full designation with a philosophy of continuous education and community involvement.
Originally from the UK, he brings a global and professional perspective to life and work.
Mr. Himmens was appointed to the Management Employees Pension Board as an employer nominee, effective March 17, 2020. His term expires on March 16, 2023.
