Speakers

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.

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.

Jacinthe Koddo

Koddo & Co.

CEO of Koddo & Co, which offers financial literacy training for female entrepreneurs

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

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

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.

Alycia Two Bears

Moon Time Bags

Traditional Full Spectrum Birth Worker and Clan Mother at The Moss Bag Project

Rajan Rathnavalu

Newo

Founder and CEO of Newo and co-founder of the Sunrise Farm Cooperative and the Spirit of the Land project

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.

Samuel Obadero

Ayo StudioX

Award-winning photographer who began the first black-owned photography studio in Calgary, where he now mentors other young artists

Laurel Dault

Hollyhock Leadership Institute

Facilitator and lead of Hollyhock's Signature Programming, including Activate, Run for Office, and Social Venture Institute (SVI)

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

David Fletcher

Community Development

Holds a position in local government focused on community development

Vivian Ceilin

Calgary Counselling Centre

Director of Business Operations at Calgary Counselling Centre

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

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

Fatima Kamenge

Social Ausum

Serial entrepreneur and strategy consultant who is committed to empowering people though business development and financial independence

Jane Bisbee

Social Enterprise Fund

Executive Director of the Social Enterprise Fund, one of Canada’s more active impact investment funds

Karen McAllister

The Mindful Money Coach

Helps entrepreneurs navigate the journey and make decisions with money with ease, awareness and clarity

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

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

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

Andrew Cotterell

Biosphere Institute of Bow Valley

Communications and Engagement Strategist at the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley

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

Jenna Walsh

Momentum/Be Local YYC

Social Business Coordinator with Be Local YYC, Co-founder of GOT Foundation and Founder of Elevated Escapes

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

Käthe Lemon

RedPoint Media Group

President of RedPoint Media Group, one of Western Canada's most highly regarded independent publishers

Dawn Saunders

Listen Studios and Retreats

Leader, instructor, facilitator and administrator at Listen Studios and Retreats

Stephanie Gross

Bumby Wool

Founder of Bumby Wool, a low waste clothing company normalizing the cloth diaper movement

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

Shelby Corley

Three Hive Consulting

CEO of Three Hive Consulting, an evaluation consultancy, and Eval Academy, a website dedicated to building evaluation capacity

Nicole Monaco

Chandos Construction

Head of marketing and communications at Chandos Construction, the only B Corp certified commercial contractor in Canada

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

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.

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

Jesse Ward

Hope Cleaning

CEO of Hope Cleaning, a Calgary based commercial cleaning company that provides meaningful employment to marginalized women

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

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

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

Greg Mroczek

BluPlanet Recycling Inc.

Manager of sales and marketing programs at BluPlanet Recycling, a sustainable waste hauling company based in Calgary.

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

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

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.

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

Verna Grandbois

Newo Global Energy

Pursuing Energy-Manager Certification after completing Newo’s solar PV training program

Geraldine Lafleur

Niginan Housing Ventures

Dedicated to providing supportive affordable housing opportunities for individuals and families of Indigenous ancestry

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.

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

Diana Frost

Colouring It Forward

Algonquin Métis Engineer, artist, musician and founder of Colouring It Forward

Katie Bertram

BluPlanet Recycling Inc.

Customer service and sales specialist for BluPlanet Recycling, a sustainability-focused waste services company based in Calgary.

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

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

Alison Thompson

Borealis Geothermal

Co-founder and CEO of Borealis Geothermal, providing carbon-free baseload energy solutions to communities and industries across Canada

Keith Murray

Second Fire Sacred Arts

Faith leader and transdisciplinary artist – a writer, designer, activist, speaker & facilitator

Meredith Perich

Innovate Calgary

Community Manager, Strategy and Engagement for the Social Innovation Hub at Innovate Calgary

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

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

Bryson Ritchie

Foodscape

Landscape designer, gardener and artist, born and raised in Treaty 7, Mohkinstsis

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

Claire Theaker-Brown

Founder/CEO of Unbelts, one of Alberta's first Certified B Corporations which ethically manufactures all-recycled, remarkably comfortable stretch belts

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

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

Thomas Holloway

Genus Capital Management

Portfolio Manager at Genus Capital, an investment manager that is known for sustainable and impact investing

Lucie Darshan

CanMore Together

Founder and the Everything person at CanMore Together

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

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

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

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

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

Scott Cameron

Emergency Management Logistics Canada and RainbowConnect.ca

President/CEO of Social Innovations Inc, which includes Emergency Management Logistics Canada and RainbowConnect.ca

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.

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

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

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

Tegan Martin-Drysdale

Homestead Mentorship & Collaboration/Homestead Investment Cooperative

President and Director of Homestead Mentorship & Collaboration (HMC), a work mentorship cooperative

Jessia C. Arsenio

FXHND Kit

Serial social entrepreneur that aims to build counter or alternative institutions to capitalist hegemony

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

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

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

David Cree

Platform Calgary

Advisor for Platform Calgary, Co Founder of CMNGD, Dad and Ally

Kinia Romanowska

Pros&Babes Inc.

Award-winning journalist turned entrepreneur, maternity leave strategist, and working parent whisperer

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