Our Team

Our Team

  • A man with long braided hair and colorful earrings smiling, sitting at a wooden table in front of a windowed background.

    Bill Ward

    Founder and President
    As the founder and president of BillWardLife, Bill is a devoted and passionate recovery advocate and keynote speaker. His roots are from the DriftPile First Nation and it was reclaiming his culture that helped save his life when he was in the throes of active addiction. Known for his ability to clearly articulate the complexities of addiction, he inspires hope and motivates change. He helps others create a seamless blending of Recovery and Culture in the way that only he can. His personal motto, “One person, One family, One community at a time” drives the values and mission of the organization.

  • A woman with long black hair styled in loose waves, wearing a dark blazer and accessorized with earrings, rings, a watch, and tattoos on her hands, sitting at a wooden table in front of a black cushioned bench in a room with large, grid-like windows in the background.

    Lauren Garand

    Supervisor: Indigenous Recovery Navigators
    As Supervisor of Indigenous Recovery Navigators, Lauren helps hire and trains BillWardLife staff to engage clients in trauma‑informed ways that foster safety and trust. She sets high standards, believing our people deserve strong, respectful advocates on their healing journeys. She is the liaison with Tsuut’ina CFS and Outreach departments. Her mission: “To be a source of hope and healing, championing the power of culture, connection, and resilience for every person I serve.”

  • A woman with long black hair and fair skin, wearing a black blazer with gray lapels, sitting at a wooden table in front of large windows.

    Tamara Llewellyn

    Podcast Media Coordinator / Outreach Support
    Tamara coordinates the BillWardLife podcast and serves as a key contact for outreach. Most days, she leads the downtown dayspace at Central United Church—the “Central Outreach Hub”—where she shares stories of hope and healing. Guided by her motto, “Show up real, stay grateful, and do the next right thing,” she is a steady light for those finding their way back to themselves

  • A young woman with long wavy dark hair, wearing a black sleeveless top, seated at a wooden table in a room with large black-framed windows in the background.

    Jillian Ward

    Indigenous Recovery Navigator
    Jill’s life has been shaped by her father’s journey through addiction and recovery, giving her firsthand insight into its impact on families. Guided by Creator and strengthened through ceremony, teachings and community, she sees recovery work as a sacred calling. As a navigator, Jill walks alongside clients with compassion, understanding and love helping them build life skills and meet challenges with resilience. She believes every story holds value and is grateful to support others on their healing journeys.

  • A woman with long wavy blonde hair, wearing a black top and colorful jewelry, sitting at a wooden table in front of a windowed wall with a grid pattern, smiling at the camera.

    Shannon Kellock

    Merchandiser/Promotions
    Shannon is the BillWardLife representative you will most likely meet at Pow Wows, conferences and trade shows. She promotes and sells our merchandise and recently began helping in the outreach department where she spreads her kindness and compassion to all she works with. She is Bill’s ex-wife and the mother of his children whose philosophy is “Accept, acknowledge , and own your past; it is not your now or your future”.