.jpg)
Ian Russell
Structured Abstraction
Ian Russell is a creative director, arts manager and community facilitator based in Calgary. A co-founder of digital firm Structured Abstraction, Ian has worked in design and development for almost 20 years. After graduating from the Alberta University of the Arts, Ian was a founding partner in Calgary based stock photography startup iStockphoto, where he acted as art director. In 2006, he joined together with a team of like-minded developers and launched Structured Abstraction to address the digital needs of smaller arts and non-profit organizations. Over time, that company has evolved into a digital technology and design firm that focuses on building capacity for positive-impact ventures.
Ian is also owner of Flemish Eye, a Juno Award-winning record label with a long history of creative and inventive music. An active community member, he engaged in community building organizations in Calgary, and is an outspoken advocate for arts, culture, and bicycling.
Workshops
Other speakers & attendees

David Fletcher
Community Development
Holds a position in local government focused on community development
more
Evan Galbraith
Mountain Air Coaching
Founder and Leadership Coach of Mountain Air Coaching which supports leadership development for people and organizations, creating a more equitable and sustainable future
more
Brian Hill
TuffHill eBikes
Co-Founder of TuffHill eBikes, a company that designs and sells ebikes that are suited for the ups and downs of the Canadian climate
more
Karen McAllister
The Mindful Money Coach
Helps entrepreneurs navigate the journey and make decisions with money with ease, awareness and clarity
more
Jane Bisbee
Social Enterprise Fund
Executive Director of the Social Enterprise Fund, one of Canada’s more active impact investment funds
more
Kevin Kent
Knifewear Group
CEO and Founder of Knifewear Group, whose mission is not only to sell exclusive high performance Japanese blades but also make retail a real career for staff by paying them a living wage
more
Duncan Cryle
Clear Sky Meditation Center and Conscious Organizations
Founding member of Clear Sky, whose mission is empower people to transform struggle and embrace vitality through offering supported personal retreat spaces, group mindfulness and mediation retreats, online courses on integrating mindfulness into daily life as a force of transformation
more
Keith Murray
Second Fire Sacred Arts
Faith leader and transdisciplinary artist – a writer, designer, activist, speaker & facilitator
more

Meaghon Reid
Vibrant Communities Calgary
Executive Director of Vibrant Communities Calgary, a non-profit organization seeking to engage Calgarians in advocating long-term strategies that address the root causes of poverty in Calgary
more
Verna Grandbois
Newo Global Energy
Pursuing Energy-Manager Certification after completing Newo’s solar PV training program
more
Connie Stacey
Growing Greener Innovations
Founder and president of Growing Greener Innovations, an award-winning Canadian energy technology company
more
Philip Lozano
Be Local YYC
Manager of Be Local YYC, with almost 10 years of experience working in social enterprise, with a focus on community and grassroot initiatives
more
Sebastien Rioux
Newo Global Energy
Operations Manager (who also refers to himself as a professional friend) of Newo Global Energy, a non-profit social enterprise based in Central Alberta that works primarily in the solar and energy efficiency retrofit industries
more
Erin Melnychuk
Momentum
Champion of purpose driven enterprise who wears many hats including consultant, program designer, instructor, entrepreneur, community champion, Board member, and ecosystem developer
more
Jude Brunt
Purppl
Impact Manager of Purppl, with the responsibility of connecting all clients and their social ventures to each other, while maintaining knowledge and awareness of issues, policies and stores from the social impact world
more
Claire Theaker-Brown
Founder/CEO of Unbelts, one of Alberta's first Certified B Corporations which ethically manufactures all-recycled, remarkably comfortable stretch belts
more
Katie Paton
EthniCity Catering and Cafes
Oversees the operations of EthniCity Catering, a non-profit social enterprise of the Centre for Newcomers, providing Canadian work experience and training to immigrants in their transition to Canada
more
Garrett Crump
Included By Design
Head of Operations and Finance at Included by Design, a company focused on increasing disability inclusion within our society and in businesses, by providing a new digital solution for businesses to easily adopt
more
Vanessa Richards
Hollyhock Leadership Institute
Transdisciplinary artist and facilitator with a passion for communities, collaboration and culture she initiates arts-based social projects that move us towards life affirming change
more
Jeanie Macpherson
Moving Mountains Initiative
Leader of the Moving Mountains initiative, a Bow Valley wide effort to advance collaborative impact, fund generation and engagement of civil society in Truth and Reconciliation, health and wellness, environment and economy.
more
Joby Yellowdirt
Newo Global Energy
Training program operations manager at Newo, a non-profit social enterprise exploring ways to share abundance (Weyotan) through harmonious relationships (Wahkohtowin) and build an economy based on more than scarcity and competition
more
Vivian Ceilin
Calgary Counselling Centre
Director of Business Operations at Calgary Counselling Centre
more
Dawn Saunders
Listen Studios and Retreats
Leader, instructor, facilitator and administrator at Listen Studios and Retreats
more

Jesse Ward
Hope Cleaning
CEO of Hope Cleaning, a Calgary based commercial cleaning company that provides meaningful employment to marginalized women
more
Jessica Swain
Juniper Midwives
Founder and Director of Juniper Midwives, an established midwifery practice that aims to provide exceptional maternity services to Indigenous families in Calgary and surrounding First Nations, by reducing systemic barriers to care
more
Scott Cameron
Emergency Management Logistics Canada and RainbowConnect.ca
President/CEO of Social Innovations Inc, which includes Emergency Management Logistics Canada and RainbowConnect.ca
more
Avni Soma
Hot Lunch Bonanza
Scientist, small business owner and community leader from Canmore, with a background in healthcare and over 12 years' experience in the food industry.
more
Katie Bertram
BluPlanet Recycling Inc.
Customer service and sales specialist for BluPlanet Recycling, a sustainability-focused waste services company based in Calgary.
more
Diana Frost
Colouring It Forward
Algonquin Métis Engineer, artist, musician and founder of Colouring It Forward
more
Erick Ambtman
EndPoverty Edmonton
Executive director of EndPoverty Edmonton, a community initiative working towards prosperity for all through advancing reconciliation, the elimination of racism, livable incomes, affordable housing, accessible and affordable transit, affordable and quality child care, and access to mental health services and addiction supports.
more
Dynise Brisson
Glowing Holistic Wellness and Moving Mountains Initiative
Founder and Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant of Glowing Holistic Wellness, providing support and guidance to individuals and groups ready to re-learn nutrition and lifestyle choices from a holistic perspective
more
Bryson Ritchie
Foodscape
Landscape designer, gardener and artist, born and raised in Treaty 7, Mohkinstsis
more
Toni Harris
Action Potential Fitness/Moving Through Healing
Co-owner of Action Potential Fitness, Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist, specializing primarily in injury recovery and movement mechanics.
more
Alison Thompson
Borealis Geothermal
Co-founder and CEO of Borealis Geothermal, providing carbon-free baseload energy solutions to communities and industries across Canada
more
James Gamage
The Social Impact Lab
The Director of Innovation and the Social Impact Lab at United Way of Calgary and Area, working passionately to solve some of the most serious social issues affecting the citizens of Calgary
more%20square.jpg)
Ted Fleming
Partake Brewing and Premium Near Beer
Founder of Partake Brewing and Premium Near Beer, the number one selling craft non-alcoholic beer in Canada
more
Meredith Perich
Innovate Calgary
Community Manager, Strategy and Engagement for the Social Innovation Hub at Innovate Calgary
more
Monique Blough
The Social Impact Lab
Senior Service Designer, Transformation Executive, and Senior Consultant with extensive experience working with global brands and start-ups to harness the power of design thinking, systems thinking and creative problem solving
more
Tegan Martin-Drysdale
Homestead Mentorship & Collaboration/Homestead Investment Cooperative
President and Director of Homestead Mentorship & Collaboration (HMC), a work mentorship cooperative
more
Domenica Chieffo
Purppl CCC
Operations Co-ordinator of Purppl, an organization that works with leaders to build the capability and capacity to implement sustainable business models and impact models
more
Zita Dube-Lockhart
Action Potential Fitness/Moving Through Healing
Co-owner of Action Potential Fitness, Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness instructor, educator, public speaker and activist specializing in somatic integration strategies, adaptive and inclusive movement strategies, pain management and trauma recovery
more
Rajan Rathnavalu
Newo
Founder and CEO of Newo and co-founder of the Sunrise Farm Cooperative and the Spirit of the Land project
more
Rachel Ward
Hope Cleaning
CEO of Hope Cleaning Inc, a cleaning company with the mission of providing meaningful employment opportunities to vulnerable women in Calgary.
more
Shelby Corley
Three Hive Consulting
CEO of Three Hive Consulting, an evaluation consultancy, and Eval Academy, a website dedicated to building evaluation capacity
more
Sergio Ribera
Momentum
Micro-loan coordinator at Momentum, a non-profit that works with individuals, businesses, communities and systems to increase each individuals’ income and assets and create a thriving local economy for all
more
Jenna Walsh
Momentum/Be Local YYC
Social Business Coordinator with Be Local YYC, Co-founder of GOT Foundation and Founder of Elevated Escapes
more
Andrew Cotterell
Biosphere Institute of Bow Valley
Communications and Engagement Strategist at the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley
more
Käthe Lemon
RedPoint Media Group
President of RedPoint Media Group, one of Western Canada's most highly regarded independent publishers
more
Geraldine Lafleur
Niginan Housing Ventures
Dedicated to providing supportive affordable housing opportunities for individuals and families of Indigenous ancestry
more
Evelyne Nyairo
Ellie Bianca
Founder and CEO of Ellie Bianca, a holistic skin care line that cultivates and empowers women through sustainable business practices and fair trade
more
Fatima Kamenge
Social Ausum
Serial entrepreneur and strategy consultant who is committed to empowering people though business development and financial independence
more.png)
Mike Rowlands
Junxion Strategy
President & CEO at Junxion, a firm that for over 20 years has been advising on strategy, sustainability, and social impact for some of the world’s most courageous and generative companies, non-profits, and movements
more
Thomas Holloway
Genus Capital Management
Portfolio Manager at Genus Capital, an investment manager that is known for sustainable and impact investing
more
Jessia C. Arsenio
FXHND Kit
Serial social entrepreneur that aims to build counter or alternative institutions to capitalist hegemony
more
Greg Mroczek
BluPlanet Recycling Inc.
Manager of sales and marketing programs at BluPlanet Recycling, a sustainable waste hauling company based in Calgary.
more
Jonathan Kane
The Naked Leaf
Owner of the Naked Leaf, an independent Calgary tea shop that aims to build community, communication and inclusiveness through the comfort and ritual of tea
more
Alex Draper
Social Enterprise Fund
Outcomes associate with the Social Enterprise Fund (SEF), a social finance fund dedicated to community economic and social development by investing in Albertan social purpose organizations
more
John MacInnes
Earthware
Serial entrepreneur and founder of Earthware, a reusable container service for restaurant takeout and delivery with the goal of stopping one million single use containers from going into our landfills by 2025
more
Ethan Shi
Fair Finance Fund
Social Finance Analyst with the Fair Finance Fund, a non-profit social finance fund dedicated to providing loans and mentorship services to local food and farm enterprises that value strong local food systems, local economies, and a healthy planet
more
Chantal Chagnon
Cree8
Cree / Métis Singer, Drummer, Artist, Storyteller, Actor, Educator, Workshop Facilitator, Social Justice Advocate and Activist with roots in Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan
more
Nicole Monaco
Chandos Construction
Head of marketing and communications at Chandos Construction, the only B Corp certified commercial contractor in Canada
more
Alycia Two Bears
Moon Time Bags
Traditional Full Spectrum Birth Worker and Clan Mother at The Moss Bag Project
more
Jenai Lieu
The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth
Senior Program Coordinator with The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth, whose vision is to see equitable communities engaged and thriving, and that see newcomer families and youth empowered
more
Mike Dorian
Living Soil Solutions
Founder of Living Soil Solutions, a company focused on natural solutions to get microbiology back into the soil food web, to improve soil health, nutrition and quality
more
Elaine McPherson
e=mc2 The Centre for Business Excellence
Founder of e=mc2, a coworking and flex office space, which provides affordable access to amenities and facilities that support not-for-profit organizations, social innovators and entrepreneurs
more
Jacinthe Koddo
Koddo & Co.
CEO of Koddo & Co, which offers financial literacy training for female entrepreneurs
more
Dr. Allison Bichel
EmergeCo
Founder and CEO of EmergeCo, a social venture dedicated to capacity building and collaborative action address complex challenges faced by individuals and society
more
Matthew Campbell
Milk Jar Candle Company Inc.
Director of Operations of Milk Jar Candle Co, a home fragrance company committed to providing employment opportunities for the disability community
more
Laurel Dault
Hollyhock Leadership Institute
Facilitator and lead of Hollyhock's Signature Programming, including Activate, Run for Office, and Social Venture Institute (SVI)
more
Kalum Teke Dan
Artist working in oil, acrylic, and watercolour, choosing themes that reflect his unique perceptions of his spirituality and being indigenous in modern-day society
more
Yuka Ozawa
The Co+Kitchen
Local leader in a growing movement that aims to use purpose-built commercial kitchens to support and promote local food production.
more
Charla Vall
Vall Impact Company
Helps impact-driven organizations find the clarity, confidence and capacity to execute bold strategies that create real social and environmental change
more
Richard Lee-Thai
Excuses to Connect
TEDx Speaker and Founder of Excuses to Connect, a business focused on building connections through one-on-one coaching, podcasting, public speaking, and merchandise
more
Dr. Randy Poon
Purpose and Performance Project
Chief Story Officer of the Purpose and Performance Project, an organization whose mission is to share the stories of impact-orientated companies
more
Luisa Saavedra
Local Investing YYC
Board member of Local Investing YYC, an impact investment co-operative that provides capital to Calgary-based enterprises that generate financial, social and environmental returns
more
Lorraine Widmer
Grassroots Gratitude
Community change-maker turned author and founder of Grassroots Gratitude, a social purpose organization that offers educational supports for leaders who are open to learning about authenticity, positivity, resiliency and gratitude
more
Kinia Romanowska
Pros&Babes Inc.
Award-winning journalist turned entrepreneur, maternity leave strategist, and working parent whisperer
more.jpg)
Ian Russell
Structured Abstraction
Ian Russell is a creative director, arts manager and community facilitator based in Calgary. A co-founder of digital firm Structured Abstraction, Ian has worked in design and development for almost 20 years. Ian is also owner of Flemish Eye, a Juno Award-winning record label with a long history of creative and inventive music. An active community member, he engaged in community building organizations in Calgary, and is an outspoken advocate for arts, culture, and bicycling.
more
Samuel Obadero
Ayo StudioX
Award-winning photographer who began the first black-owned photography studio in Calgary, where he now mentors other young artists
more
Stephanie Gross
Bumby Wool
Founder of Bumby Wool, a low waste clothing company normalizing the cloth diaper movement
more
Natalie Tomczak
Press Secretary at Niginan Housing Ventures, a registered charity that was formed to address the particular needs and requirements of Indigenous people living in Edmonton
more
Kay Thomas
Foodscape
Cooperative co-owner of Foodscape, an Indigenous-led social enterprise that creates beautiful landscapes, which are naturally easy-to-care-for ecosystems, replacing high maintenance grass lawns and gardens.
more
Kelly Lydiard
On A Dime Transformations
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of On A Dime Transformations, an organization helping people in recovery from addictions build meaningful careers
more