Meet Renée Krysko, the Canmore Hospital Foundation’s New Executive Director
When Renée Krysko stepped into the role of Executive Director of the Canmore Hospital Foundation in December, she brought a career shaped by growth, storytelling, and an unwavering belief in the power of community. From university curriculum redesign to international adventure, conservation fundraising to local impact, Renée’s path has been anything but conventional, yet every chapter has built the skills she now brings to the Foundation.
At her core, Renée is a builder.
“I’m drawn to organizations in a phase of growth—those ready to level up. I build on what’s already working, strengthen it, and put systems in place so growth is healthy and sustainable,” she says. “At the heart of it all, building teams and creating momentum is what energizes me most.”
It’s a philosophy that’s guided her work for more than two decades and one that feels especially at home in Canmore.
A journey shaped by people and stories
Renée grew up in Edmonton in a French immersion community surrounded by families from around the world. Cultural diversity wasn’t something she encountered later in life; it was part of her everyday experience. That early exposure sparked a lasting curiosity about people, their stories, and how communities function.
She carried that perspective into her studies, earning a degree in Canadian Studies with a focus on gender and ethnicity at the University of Calgary. The interdisciplinary program emphasized not just what happened in history and society, but how people experienced it, sharpening her ability to listen, connect, and see issues from multiple perspectives.
Those skills became the foundation of her career. At the University of Calgary, Renée worked on a curriculum redesign initiative to better prepare students for academia or life beyond university. She later moved into community relations for the Faculty of Engineering, where she led communications, recruitment, and outreach, building strong relationships with diverse audiences.
Then, in true Renée fashion, she said yes to the unexpected. A spontaneous cycling trip from Banff to Vancouver turned into nearly a decade living and working across Europe with Trek Travel, designing and leading high-end cycling tours, including trips following the Tour de France. The role demanded quick decision-making, calm leadership under pressure, and the ability to build trust with groups of strangers.
“My very first trip was following the Tour de France, riding in the Alps with 25 guests—almost all competitive racers,” she laughs. “I remember thinking, what have I gotten myself into?”
That experience cemented her leadership style: people-first, adaptable, and grounded in trust—skills that continue to define how she builds relationships and leads teams today.
Finding purpose in mission-driven work
After years of back-and-forth between Canada and abroad, Renée was ready to apply her skills to work toward a deeper social impact. That calling led her to Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, where she spent 15 years helping grow the organization from a small team into an internationally respected conservation non-profit.
Starting in communications, she later transitioned into donor relations, where she played a key role in diversifying the organization’s funding model and building a strong community of supporters.
“When I started, about 80% of our revenue came from foundations,” she says. “Over time, we built a strong community of individual donors, and today support is evenly split between foundations and individuals. That shift has created stability and allowed the organization to think and act for the long term.”
By the time she left, the organization had expanded dramatically in both size and reach, a testament to what happens when mission, relationships, and strong systems come together.
Why the Canmore Hospital Foundation felt like the right next step
Renée didn’t stumble across the Foundation through a job search. The opportunity arose from a conversation with board member Karina Birch, who recognized the alignment between Renée’s experience and what the Foundation was poised to become.
“I’d been at Yellowstone to Yukon for 15 years. I was starting to feel like I’d reached the ceiling of what I could do there, but I loved the mission and the people,,” Renée shares. “If I was going to leave, it would have to be for something really meaningful.”
Health care was already one of the issues closest to her heart, and the Foundation’s growing vision of building a stronger team and expanding its impact resonated deeply.
On a personal level, the role also brought her even closer to something that matters profoundly to her family. Her mother lives at the hospital in long-term care, and being nearby allows Renée to spend meaningful time with her throughout the day.
“It’s a gift I don’t take for granted,” she says.
A community that truly shows up
Though Renée has lived in Canmore since 2005, stepping into this role has given her a new perspective on just how deeply this community supports its hospital.
“I’m honestly overwhelmed by the generosity here,” she says. “There are people who’ve been donating for decades, and when there’s a need, donors respond quickly and without question. That kind of commitment is really special.”
She describes Canmore as a place filled with people who are not only passionate but capable, from entrepreneurs and business leaders to athletes, retirees, and long-time community builders.
“We have Olympic and Paralympic athletes, leaders of major organizations, people who’ve been here since it was a mining town, and others from across the globe building new lives in these mountains,” she says. “What connects them all is resilience. They care fiercely about this place, and they bring their adventurous, entrepreneurial spirit to make it not just a home, but an extraordinary community.”
A hospital that stands out far beyond its size
Renée is equally passionate about the hospital itself, which she believes sets a benchmark for rural health care nationwide.
“I truly think Canmore General Hospital is one of the best rural hospitals in Western Canada, if not Canada,” she says. “That’s because of the incredible staff, the engaged board, and the volunteers and donors who make innovation and growth possible.”
One of the first projects that stood out to her was the Emergency Department redevelopment, a transformation that improved patient care and made the space itself more welcoming.
“The patient flow is so much better, and with four additional chairs they can serve more people.The renovation on the two trauma rooms have already made a huge difference providing state-of-the-art patient care,” she explains. “But beyond that, the space feels like a place of healing. The light, the artwork, the sense of calm and privacy. When people are having the worst day of their life, those details matter.”
A values-driven approach to giving
At the heart of Renée’s leadership style is a deep respect for donors and the many ways people choose to give back.
For Renee it all starts with values. What matters to the donors. What type of impact do they want to make? She sees herself as a broker of sorts, connecting people to something that aligns with what they care about.
She’s also quick to challenge the idea that meaningful giving is defined by dollar amounts.
“A meaningful gift isn’t defined by me. It’s defined by the donor. I’ve had donors who could give six figures, I’ve had fixed-income donors who could only afford $10 a month. And I’ve had supporters who contribute their time, advice or connections,” she says. “It’s all important. It’s about intention, not the number. It’s about achieving something great–together.”
More than anything, she hopes people feel welcomed, appreciated, and part of something bigger.
“It’s about building a community of people who care about this hospital and each other, says Renée.
Looking forward
As Renée settles into her role, her focus is on strengthening the Foundation’s capacity, growing the team thoughtfully, deepening donor relationships, and continuing to support the hospital’s evolving needs.
She brings with her global experience, strategic insight, and a deeply human approach to leadership, all grounded in a genuine love for the Canmore community.
And while her career has taken her around the world, she’s clear about where she’s meant to be now.
“This hospital is at the heart of our community,” she says. “Being part of the work that supports it, that helps it grow and serve people better, it’s incredibly meaningful.”
