Meet our No Bounds Co-chairs

Together, they bring decades of passion, experience and community leadership to a once-in-a-generation effort to raise $1 billion to strengthen the care kids rely on today and help build the new, stand-alone Stollery Children’s Hospital Alberta’s families have long needed.

Their stories are different, but their values — and their belief in better — are the same.

Meet Erin and Richard Kirby: Leading No Bounds with Heart, Humility and Hope

When Erin and Richard Kirby talk about the Stollery, it’s with the ease of people who have lived it — as parents whose three children have used the hospital, and as community members who have spent years giving their time, support, ideas and advocacy to strengthen it.

Now, as Co-chairs of Stollery No Bounds, they are stepping into a role that feels both humbling and deeply meaningful.

“It’s such a landmark campaign for this city,” Erin said. “When you get asked, it’s obviously an honour to be one of the faces and Co-chairs of the campaign.”

For Richard, the invitation was deeply meaningful.

“It was a surprising and humbling ask from the Foundation,” he said. “I’ve been a big believer in having a stand-alone children’s hospital in Edmonton for well over 10 years. It’s so important for the future of our city and the families who will rely on it for generations.”

Staying connected to a cause that feels “grassroots”

Erin’s played a pivotal role for years on the Stollery Women’s Network, where she saw firsthand how the Foundation listens, learns and continually strives to be better.

“For such a big and impactful organization, it feels so grassroots,” she shared. “It’s always from the ground up, always asking questions of everyone about how they can be better and what they can do to improve people’s experience. I’ve always found it really approachable and community-minded, despite being grounded in innovation.”

Richard’s twelve years on the Foundation Board — including time as Board Chair (2016-2018) — gave him a front-row seat to that same spirit and many memorable moments along the way.

He laughs about “maybe overpaying for an auction item or two” at Stollery events, but beneath the humour is a deep respect for what those gatherings represent: people coming together to do something extraordinary for kids. In 2019, he himself inspired a group of 12 to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, raising more than $1 million for the Stollery.

A full-circle moment of leadership

Richard traces his connection to the idea of a stand-alone children’s hospital back more than a decade, and to a familiar name.

“I do look at Marshall Sadd as one of the real champions for this project,” he said. “Back in the day, it was actually Marshall who asked me to consider joining the board. The kernel of the stand-alone hospital really started to grow through his leadership.”

So when the Foundation approached Erin and Richard to Co-chair the No Bounds campaign — alongside Marshall and his wife, Lisa — it felt like things had come full circle.

For both Kirbys, that trust from the Foundation helped turn a humbling ask into a clear decision: say yes.

Partnership in life — and in philanthropy

As one of two couples leading this campaign together, Erin and Richard have thought a lot about what partnership means. Not just at home, but in their community work.

It’s a combination of being supportive and caring of each other, and also tackling challenges together,” Richard said.

When the challenges feel big — like helping lead a $1 billion campaign to transform children’s health across Canada — great partnership becomes even more important.

“Often those things aren’t easy, and they’re almost never as easy as you think when you decide to take them on,” he added. “But when you have partners you trust and care for, it gives you the confidence to know you can tackle anything.”

Erin sees that same spirit playing out in the way the Co-chairs work together.

“It really comes down to aligned values,” she said. “You surround yourself with people you’re connected to, and it’s just nice to work on a project together where you know your values align and you’re all working towards the same goal. That goes for Richard and me — and also with the Sadds.”

Why kids need a new, stand-alone Stollery

Both Erin and Richard are clear: the time for a new, stand-alone Stollery Children’s Hospital is now.

Erin brings the perspective of the couple as parents who have used the hospital on multiple occasions.

“We’ve been users of the Stollery a few different times, and the overlap of adults and children crammed into one hospital is remarkable,” she said. “You’re going from location to location, floor to floor, manoeuvring through areas that aren’t meant for kids. It’s one of the most specialized hospitals in Canada, and yet it’s the only one woven through an adult hospital. We need a larger, stand-alone hospital built for kids. We need to expand our services and Edmonton is the city to do it in.”

Richard sees the urgency through the lens of growth and capacity.

“The Stollery has needed more space for a decade,” he said. “But now, when you look at the population growth in Alberta and Edmonton, it’s much more important than it was 10 years ago. We’re out of space — and the space no longer matches the incredible talent within its walls.”
What was once a tight space is now stretched beyond its limits.

“It’s always been space-constrained, but I don’t remember hearing as many stories of kids being turned away as we’re starting to hear now,” he added. “You can understand why — it’s simple math. When you were tight before and your population grows 20 or 30 per cent over a few years, you need more infrastructure.”

Richard also sees the project as a chance for Edmonton to prove something to itself.

“I always get on my soapbox and say Edmonton needs another major project that’s built on time and on budget,” he said. “Something that will make a huge impact for the community and families. There’s nothing better than that.”

A campaign that brings a city together

Looking ahead, the Kirbys are energized by what No Bounds can unlock for kids and for the community.

“I think it’s something the city will be able to be very proud of,” Richard said. “To quote Marshall Sadd: every great city needs a great children’s hospital.”

For Richard, this campaign represents a rare chance to unite people around something that transcends the usual lines that can divide us.

“Having something of this magnitude for Edmonton — and frankly beyond — to rally behind is a unique and exciting opportunity,” he shared. “Every kid, unfortunately, potentially has the need to go to the Stollery at some point. To be able to touch and help our most vulnerable people is a good thing. And to rally the city behind that cause is incredibly powerful.”

Erin adds another dimension:

“The ability to attract talent — the best and the brightest — to our city to care for our kids is deeply powerful too,” she said. “And beyond the kids, having a stand-alone Stollery means the University of Alberta Hospital will have more space for adults in need. I’m excited for this win for Edmonton.”

Richard wrapped up with a sentiment that feels fitting for the campaign itself:

“We could go on and on. There are just boundless possibilities. When we rally our community behind the cause, the best way I can summarize it is: it’s going to be big, bold and unstoppable.”

Together with Lisa and Marshall Sadd, and with a passionate community behind them, Erin and Richard are helping lead a movement that believes children’s health should have No Bounds — in vision, in compassion, or in possibility.

Meet Lisa and Marshall Sadd: Championing No Bounds for the Next Generation

For decades, Lisa and Marshall Sadd have been deeply woven into the fabric of the Stollery community. Their commitment has been shaped not only by their leadership and philanthropy but also by their experiences as parents of three children and as aunt and uncle to a niece living with epilepsy who has relied on the Stollery many times.

Now, as Co-chairs of Stollery No Bounds alongside Erin and Richard Kirby, they are helping lead a campaign they’ve believed in for more than 25 years.

“It’s been 25 years of believing in this,” Marshall shared. “To see it finally happening — I’m honoured to help it get across the goal line.”

For Lisa, saying yes was rooted in both heart and home.

“When you’ve seen the care, whether for your own kids or relatives, you want to support the people who deliver it,” she said. “It feels meaningful to help build something better for them.”

Staying connected to a cause that hits close to home

The Sadds’ relationship with the Stollery began a quarter century ago, when Marshall joined Tee Up for Tots. That involvement led him to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, where he eventually served as Board Chair (2014 – 2016), all while continuing to champion the vision for a new children’s hospital. Over the years, his advocacy and fundraising took many forms — at one point even dyeing his hair pink to support the cause.

“We’ve been talking about a new hospital for 25 years,” he said. “Those years on the board were rewarding. Being Chair was rewarding. And now to see it moving forward — it feels real.”

Lisa’s experience deepened through the Stollery Women’s Network and years of involvement with other events including Tee Up for Tots.

“It’s the community,” she said. “The passion, the care, the people you meet. It’s special. And when you’ve been in the hospital yourself, you see how impressive and touching the care is. You want to support that.”

They’ve seen firsthand how hard it is for families and care teams to navigate a children’s hospital that’s woven through an adult facility. Those experiences are part of what keep them connected and motivated.

“The hospital they’re in now was built for adults,” Marshall said. “It’s time we build something that was designed for children.”

Lisa agreed, adding a parent’s perspective:

“When you’ve been at the Stollery with your own kids, it can be a scary place,” she said. “A hospital focused entirely on children would be so much more calming and less confusing. And it will free up much-needed space at the U of A Hospital too — which helps everyone.”

A leadership role years in the making

Long before the No Bounds campaign existed, Marshall was one of the loudest voices advocating for a stand-alone Stollery Children’s Hospital.

That early advocacy helped plant the seeds of the vision No Bounds is now bringing to life.

“To be asked to return as Co-chair is an honour,” he said. “It feels like a continuation of work we’ve believed in for a long time.”

And for both Lisa and Marshall, stepping into this role — alongside partners like the Kirbys — feels meaningful, energizing and deeply aligned with their values.

Partnership in life — and in philanthropy

As one of two couples leading No Bounds, Lisa and Marshall view their role through the lens of partnership — something that has defined their personal, professional and community lives.

“Everyone has strengths and weaknesses,” Marshall said with a grin. “Partnership is about complementing each other and filling in the gaps. We’re stronger together.”

For Lisa, it’s about working alongside people who share their values and vision.

“When you’re surrounded by people who care about the same things, it feels really good,” she said. “And it makes big goals feel possible.”

That spirit extends to their work with Erin and Richard Kirby — a full-circle moment for leaders who once encouraged others to get involved, and are now leading together.

Why a new, stand-alone Stollery is so critical

The Sadds believe strongly that kids deserve a hospital designed entirely around their needs and that now is the time.

“The care is incredible,” Lisa said. “But the environment wasn’t built for kids. You want to see the people who look after our children delivering their work in a place designed for them.”

Marshall points to the changing landscape of Alberta and the need to build for tomorrow rather than patch today.

“Edmonton has had a tough go since COVID,” he said. “People feel disconnected. A project of this size and importance — something everyone can rally around — will lift spirits. It’s a win for our city, and for every child across Western Canada who depends on the Stollery”

They also know that the pressure on the current Stollery has never been greater.

“This is one of those ‘about time’ moments,” Lisa added. “Someday soon, we’ll look back and say, ‘Can you believe there was a time Edmonton didn’t have its own stand-alone children’s hospital?’”

A campaign to rally a city

What excites Lisa and Marshall most about No Bounds isn’t just the hospital itself. It’s what this campaign can spark in the community.

“Getting the community talking again,” Marshall said. “Coming together around something important. That’s what excites me.”

Whether you’re a parent, a grandparent, or someone who simply believes in giving kids the best chance to grow up healthy, the Sadds see No Bounds as a unifying moment — a campaign that transcends background, politics or circumstance.

“With the right people leading,” Lisa said, “and a community that believes in better — we can build something extraordinary.”

And when asked what No Bounds means to them, Lisa and Marshall didn’t hesitate:

“When it comes to our kids, there are no bounds — no bounds to the care they deserve, no bounds to the outcomes we can achieve, and no bounds to the impact we can create together.”

United by a shared vision

Together, Erin and Richard Kirby and Lisa and Marshall Sadd are helping lead a movement rooted in compassion, courage and possibility. Their lived experiences, long-standing advocacy and unwavering commitment have shaped the foundation of this campaign and continue to inspire the community to imagine more for the future of children’s health.

As Co-chairs of Stollery No Bounds, they embody the belief at the heart of this movement:
when it comes to our kids, there should be No Bounds — not on the care they receive, the innovation we pursue, or the impact we can create together.