The City of Edmonton has reappointed Zahro Hassan and Carola Cunningham to the Edmonton Police Commission for terms ending December 31, 2028.
Commissioner Hassan was first appointed January 1, 2025. She holds a PhD in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Alberta, specializing in young adult refugees and higher education. Currently a lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, she has previously worked with the City of Edmonton, the Government of Alberta and Boyle Street Community Services. Since moving to Edmonton in 2014, she has served on several boards, including the Edmonton Social Planning Council and the Edmonton Youth Justice Committee Society. Commissioner Hassan has contributed to key equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives, including the Alberta Government’s first Anti-Racism Advisory Council, the University of Alberta’s EDI Committee, and the Edmonton Public School Board’s Equity Advisory Committee. With more than 15 years of interdisciplinary experience across Alberta and Ontario, her work spans community development, mental health, homelessness, refugee integration, education access and trauma-informed care.
Commissioner Cunningham was first appointed January 1, 2025. She has more than 50 years of experience in housing, education, justice, community wellness and addictions recovery. She has designed, developed and delivered programming specifically tailored to the needs of Indigenous communities, particularly those with high-risk lifestyles. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong dedication to bridging cultural differences and creating understanding. Although retired from her role as Chief Executive Officer of Niginan Housing Ventures which builds, designs and develops housing initiatives primarily for Indigenous peoples, she continues to be a servant leader to her communities in providing support, engagement, direction and consultation nationally.