Alumni

Cordell Minnifee, BA ‘19
Chair, Alumni Committee

Cordell Minnifee is a proud alumnus of St. Mary’s University. A former member of the St. Mary’s Lightning basketball team, Cordell credits his time at the university with shaping not only his education but also his leadership, character, and commitment to community.

Passionate about supporting students and fostering lifelong connections, Cordell is dedicated to strengthening the St. Mary’s alumni network and encouraging graduates as they begin the next chapter of their journeys. He believes in the power of education, service, and community, and is committed to helping create opportunities for future generations of students.

Cordell is proud to give back to the institution that helped shape his path and to champion the values that define the St. Mary’s community.

Paul Valentine
Vice Chair, Board of Governors

Paul Valentine was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. He attended the Calgary Catholic School System from kindergarten through High School and graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree.

Paul runs the family’s Automotive firm, the Valentine Group, that operates stores in Calgary that sell Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover products. Paul’s late father Ted, was one of the founders of St. Mary’s University and a Board Member for many years. Paul’s Mother Shirley was the Head of the Calgary Catholic School Board for over a decade.

Paul is married to Andrea Gould and they have three children, Maggie, Ross and Hugh. You will find Paul at every Stampeder Football and Flames hockey game when he is not skiing, playing hockey or golfing.

Kevin Legare, B.A. ‘10, B.Ed. ‘12, M.Ed.
Vice Chair, Alumni Committee

Kevin Lagare is a junior high woodworking and Career and Technologies Foundations (CTF) teacher with the Calgary Catholic School District. A graduate of St. Mary’s University with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees, Kevin also holds a Master of Education in Leadership and Administration and is currently pursuing a PhD is Education at the University of Saskatchewan. His research focuses on supporting and retaining early-career teachers through professional learning.

Outside the classroom, Kevin is the co-founder of Whisky North, a handcrafted woodworking business he operates with fellow St. Mary’s alumnus Steve Erich and his wife, Sarah.

As Vice Chair of the St. Mary’s University Alumni Committee, Kevin is passionate about strengthening connections between alumni and the university and creating opportunities for engagement, mentorship and lifelong learning.

Jaden Baragar B.Ed. ‘18, B.A. ‘16
Events Lead, Alumni Committee

Jaden Baragar is a proud alumna of St. Mary’s University, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts with double concentrations in English and Psychology in 2016, followed by a Bachelor of Education in 2018.

During her time as a student, Jaden was actively involved in campus life, serving on the Student Legislative Council and volunteering with the Humanities 101 program, the President’s Volunteer Team, the annual President’s Gala.

As an alumna, Jaden remains actively engaged with the St. Mary’s community through ongoing volunteerism and participation in university events and initiatives. As a mother of three, she values the sense of community and belonging that St. Mary’s provides and is committed to supporting the university’s mission of academic excellence, service and student-centered education.

Ryan Todd, B.B.A. ‘20
Finance, Alumni Committee

Ryan Tod, CFP, CIM is an alumnus of St. Mary’s University, where he completed the Business Transfer program in 2020. During his time at St. Mary’s, he was a member of the Varsity Men’s Basketball team and valued the close-knit community that shaped both his academic and personal growth.

Ryan is a Private Wealth Advisor, working with high-net-worth families to provide comprehensive wealth management solutions. He currently serves as Treasurer of the St. Mary’s University Alumni Relations Committee, where he is committed to strengthening alumni engagement and supporting the continued growth of the St. Mary’s community.

• Resume and cover letter reviews.
• Job search strategies for full-time, part-time and other professional opportunities.
• Mock interviews and networking support.
• Planning for graduate studies and continuing education.

• Appointments: Available year-round online and virtually.
• Document Review: Resume and cover letter feedback is available for alumni over email without requiring a booking.
• Email career.services@stmu.ca for career support.

• Home & Car Insurance: Access preferred rates on home and car insurance.
• TD Term Life Insurance: Help protect the financial future of those you care about.
• Travel Insurance: Explore travel insurance options and save with preferred rates.

To learn more about TD Insurance products or to get a quote visit – https://www.tdinsurance.com/.