Kristina Kowalski - About Kristina

About Kristina Kowalski

Kristina, together with her husband Hon. Ken Kowalski, ECA, has proudly called Parkland County home for more than 20 years. A first-generation Canadian, she is the daughter of a Royal Canadian Air Force Captain and a gifted artist and seamstress. Her parents immigrated from Vienna, Austria after the Second World War, and she grew up across Canada—Hamilton, Calgary, St. Jean (Québec), Chilliwack, and Burnaby—where she developed discipline, resilience, and a deep commitment to community service.

Kristina is devoted to her family and especially treasures time with her grandson, along with her extended family in Burnaby and Victoria.

Professional Background

Kristina's career combines health care, business development, and governance. She holds diplomas in Nuclear Medicine Technology (BCIT) and Pharmacy Technology (Red Deer College)—a foundation in science and care for people that she carries into public service.

As a business coach and consultant with HRDC, she worked with over 200 start-ups across engineering, housing, tourism, the arts, and small business—including many independent cafés and coffee roasters.

Public Service & Leadership

Kristina's leadership extends across municipal, regional, and provincial levels. Highlights include:

Municipal Councillor

County of Barhead
Vice-Chair

Pembina Hills School Division
Chair

Yellowhead Planning Commission Appeal Board
Chair

Yellowhead Regional Library System
President

Alberta Library Trustees Association
Vice-President

Canadian Library Trustees Association
First Female Member

Barrhead Rotary Club
Board Member

Barrhead Chamber of Commerce

At the provincial level, she chaired the Alberta Child Welfare Appeal Panel and the Alberta Children with Disabilities Appeal Board, and served on the Board of Governors for the Alberta College of Art, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and the Alberta Society of Artists.

Passion for Nature & Community

Kristina has a lifelong love of nature—wetlands, lakes, rivers, and gardens. She was recently elected to the Board of Directors, University of Alberta Botanic Garden – Friends of the Garden, where she is building partnerships with farmers and scientists to support field trials and raise funds for the therapeutic Butterfly House. She is also a proud member of Women in Nuclear Canada.

Parkland County Council Service

Since 2021, Kristina has represented Division 2 on Parkland County Council. She has served on:

Economic Development Committee
Community Sustainability Committee
Agricultural Services Board
ALUS (Alternative Land Use Services)
Subdivision & Development Appeal Board (SDAB)

Regionally, she is Chair of the Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance and a past executive with the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance. She also serves on the Yellowhead Regional Library Board, with past appointments to the Parkland Capital Region Water Commission and ARROW Utilities (Wastewater Commission).

Commitment to Accountability

Kristina has earned the EOEP Municipal Leaders Certificate (2023) and the Certificate in Tribunal Administrative Justice™ (CTAJ™), underscoring her dedication to transparency, fairness, and strong governance.

Over the past four years, she has worked with Council to keep taxes low, improve services, strengthen accountability, and engage residents directly. She shows up, does the work, and delivers results.

Looking ahead, Kristina is committed to building safe, thriving communities, protecting farmland and natural assets, and supporting the agriculture, business, and industrial growth in Acheson—a major economic driver for Division 2 and Parkland County.