June 13, 2025
Manon Therriault, President and CEO of the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation. Supplied.
Story by Deanna Dament & Manon Therriault
June is Health Philanthropy Month. Throughout the month, we’re celebrating our philanthropic partners who raise funds for healthcare across the province.
The Faces of Foundations profile series introduces you to leaders in healthcare philanthropy across Alberta.
This week, we’re pleased to profile Manon Therriault, President and CEO of the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation. Therriault’s path to the foundation started with her background in health sciences education, where she developed a deep respect for healthcare and the people who make it possible.
Why did you become involved with the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation?
“The opportunity to bring analytical thinking and creative problem-solving skills to healthcare fundraising — where the impact is so immediate and tangible — felt like a perfect fit.”
Why is health philanthropy important to you?
“Healthcare touches every single one of us. It’s deeply personal, and fundraising in this space is one of the most powerful ways to influence the well-being of an entire community. Knowing that our work can improve access to care, enhance services, and quite literally save lives is something I feel grateful to be a part of every day.”
What does being a leader in healthcare philanthropy mean to you?
“Being a leader means being a community connector. I see my role as working alongside those who receive care, those who deliver it, and those who support it. My job is to help facilitate important conversations, inspire meaningful contributions, and engage the community in building something bigger than any of us. It’s about trust, collaboration, and vision.”
What recent foundation accomplishments make you most proud?
“Recently, the foundation, as part of its major campaign, took steps to help bring to life an interim cardiac catheterization lab, something the community has long advocated for. We’re no longer waiting. Alongside our partners, we’re stepping up to make it happen now. This is a transformational step forward for central Alberta, and it means the world to me to be part of it.”
“Also, our team secured a $10-million donation from an incredibly generous family who wants to make the interim cardiac catheterization lab happen, and their donation is by far the largest gift ever given to the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.”
What initiatives are coming up for the foundation?
“Our current focus is the capital campaign to support the much-needed hospital redevelopment. Red Deer is growing rapidly, and the Central Zone continues to see increased demand for services. The hospital redevelopment is about meeting the growing population’s needs head-on and investing in a stronger future for healthcare in the region. It’s a long time coming and being part of something so significant is truly exciting.”
What is the best way for Albertans to support the foundation?
“The best way to support the Red Deer Regional Hospital Foundation is to get involved — whether through giving, volunteering, sharing your story, or attending a foundation event. Every act of generosity helps us move the needle. When Albertans come together for health, the entire system is strengthened — and that benefits us all.”
See more information on the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation.
