Executive Staff
Pat Nixon, CM, AOE - Chief Executive Officer
As founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Mustard Seed, Pat Nixon guides one of Canada’s leading ministries to the homeless and less fortunate.
Born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1960, Pat left home at 12 years old to escape an unhealthy home environment. When he hit the streets, he was illiterate and utterly alone.
Pat arrived in Calgary at 15 and began panhandling to stay alive. One day, he was approached by men from First Baptist Church. Pat asked for money but they offered him a meal and a home. They cared for Pat for a year before he slipped back into old patterns. By age 16, Pat was in an adult prison.
Two years later, Pat returned to Calgary with a renewed momentum to move forward. His new commitment and his faith empowered his determination to change. He began volunteering at an inner-city coffeehouse ministry and at the age of 24, started a full time street outreach and was licensed as a pastor. In 1984, The Mustard Seed was born.
Under his leadership, The Mustard Seed has grown to a life changing ministry, supported by 11,000 annual volunteers, and over 200 staff who care for over 1,200 people every day.
Pat and his wife, Lise, are parents to sons Jason, Jeremy, Daniel, Ryan, Tyler and Shane, and grandparents to Marcus, Austin, Chyanne, Patrick and Eden.
Jeff Dyer - Chief Operating Officer
As Chief Operating Officer for The Mustard Seed, Jeff is responsible for the development, performance and sustainability of ministry centres across Alberta by leading leaders and championing remarkable ministries that create real change in the lives of our clients. Jeff's involvement with The Mustard Seed began during his tenure as a Board member and he moved into management after serving in several senior level positions in the non-profit sector. He was previously the Program Manager and then Executive Director of Gull Lake Centre. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alberta.
Outside The Mustard Seed, Jeff has served on various boards, consults on start-up businesses and is a marathoner.
Aart Schuurman Hess - Chief Administrative Officer
As Chief Administrative Officer, Aart Schuurman Hess is a member of The Mustard Seed's executive team and is responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of Finance & Administration, Human Resources, Volunteer Services and Facilities.
Aart joined The Mustard Seed in July 2008 and brings with him an extensive and diverse business and entrepreneurial background in establishing and developing manufacturing companies. Prior to his role at The Mustard Seed, Aart held senior level positions in the airline food service and food manufacturing industries, where he successfully executed the move and start up of the world’s largest airline catering kitchen. Aart also held an executive role in a Dutch investment company.
Outside the Seed, Aart acts as President of the Dutch Canadian Business Club of Calgary and is the Vice-Chair of the Tax & Economic Affairs Committee of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Aart graduated in 1987 at the Hotel & Catering Management School of Heerlen, the Netherlands.
Aart has worked and lived across the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Thailand, the United States and Spain. He recently emigrated from the Netherlands with his wife Marie-Louise and their three children.
Diana Schwenk- Chief Development Officer
Diana is the Chief Development Officer of The Mustard Seed, responsible for fundraising, public relations, marketing, media relations and communications for The Mustard Seed's three centres in Calgary, Sundre and Edmonton. Diana began as a volunteer at The Mustard Seed in 1990, and over the years has worked in areas throughout the organization including outreach, administration, and human resources.
Diana is passionate about those who are homeless and seeks to be a voice for those who can't speak for themselves. Her message is not only that everyone has the right to be a part of the community, but also to be accepted and respected within in it.
