From September 13 to September 15, 2017, 395 people, representing over 230 organizations and government departments attended EconoUs2017 in Calgary. Since 2001, CCEDNet has partnered with members across the country to showcase the amazing work being done in different regions, to raise awareness of the impact of community economic development (CED), to examine new ideas, resources and strategies that will make CED practitioners more effective in their efforts, and to connect people who share similar values and vision.
Thrive, a community leadership initiative of Momentum, brought together community partners including Calgary Economic Development, REAP Business Association, Institute for Community Prosperity at Mount Royal University and Calgary Regional Partnership to co-host EconoUs2017.
Download the full EconoUs2017 Report
Contents
- Who Attended?
- Collaboration in Action: Partners and Funders
- EconoUs2017 Program
- Energy and Values in Action
- Evaluation
- Learning and Recommandations
- What’s next
Day 1. Minister Deron Bilous
Day 1. Shaun Loney & Chief Dr. Robert Joseph
Day 2. AM Plenary – Building Thriving Communities
Day 2. Social EnterPrize Awards
Day 3. Creating Good Jobs
Day 3. Strengthening Our Efforts
TOURS
WORKSHOPS & PLENARIES
NETWORKING & BREAKS
SPECIAL EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Invisible
9:00am-2:30pm |Local Economy Tour Olds & Cochrane (These Tours Have Been Combined!)
Local Economy Tour Cochrane – The Way the West is Now
Just west of Calgary’s city limits is the bustling town of Cochrane. On this tour, you will discover how local economy initiatives are building community pride, revitalizing mainstreet and strengthening small business in Cochrane. The walking tour will begin at Cochrane’s Visitor and Resident Information Centre to learn from Mike Korman, Economic Development Manager, about the Proudly Cochrane, Made in Cochrane and Cochrane Dollars initiatives. You will then be guided through the Historic Downtown revitalization effort to show how Cochrane is strengthening the older section of the town to keep relevant with the major regional shopping developments south of the CP Rail Track. Lunch will be held at the Half Hitch Brewery which will include a Tour of this local microbrew success story.
Local Economy Tour Olds – The Incredible Story of Community Empowerment
Just a short distance from Calgary is the Town of Olds. A rural community of 9100 people that is leading by example. On this tour you will meet passionate volunteers and visionaries that are building a thriving local economy for Olds and the region by strengthening social networks and prioritizing the arts and the environment.
The Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development is a 16-year-old CED organization with over 150 active volunteers and over a dozen working groups supporting a small staff team. They have pioneered Canada’s first 100% community owned and operated broad band network providing free WIFI in most parks and commercial areas in the community. This utility infrastructure and O-NET the Internet Service Provider operating on the network are social enterprises owned by the Olds Institute. The Olds Institute also operates an Information and Entrepreneurship Centre and retails electricity and natural gas. The proceeds from these activities support CED initiatives in the community.
Enjoy local food and craft beer while visiting some of the community’s social enterprises to discover how the community is growing capacity and building shared knowledge.
**Participants will be taken by bus to Olds leaving and returning from Hotel Arts.
12:00pm-2:30pm |Local Economy Tour - The Rise of Co-ops in YYC
See and learn firsthand how co-operatives drive innovation and foster resiliency in Calgary. This tour will feature stops at different co-operatives ranging in size and focus, and will also provide an opportunity to get to know the city better.
This walking tour will be hosted by staff from the Alberta Community and Co-operative Association and feature presentations from co-op employees. The various stops will include: MEC, Alberta Community Energy, Grain Exchange, First Calgary Financial, Last Best Brewery, Servus Credit Union, and YYC Growers and Distributors.
Participants will learn about the daily workings of our co-op sector, and be able to discuss topics relevant to their work.
**No lunch served. Participants will be taken on a walking tour leaving and returning from Hotel Arts.
12:30pm-2:30pm |Local Economy Tour - Social Entrepreneurship and Alternative Financing Solutions
Can business create a positive social impact and make a profit? Come discover the heart of CMNGD (pronounced COMMONGOOD), a social enterprise, providing on the job experience and mentoring, at a living wage, to people living in our homeless shelter (The Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre) through a linen laundry service tailored to the hospitality industry. Join the Founders and employees of CMNGD for an interactive tour of the first Solar Thermal Commercial Laundry Plant in Canada, designed by Eclipse Sustainability Projects, as we discuss how to do business differently by positively impacting people, planet, profit and purpose in business. CMNGD is not only creating a positive social impact but they’ve financed their business using ATB BoostR. ATB BoostR has been used by multiple Alberta businesses to crowdfund their business using reward based incentives. Learn more about rewards based crowdfunding and how social businesses like CMNGD and others are using it to fund their businesses.
**Participants will be taken by bus leaving and returning from Hotel Arts.
3:00pm-5:30pm | Opening Reception
Celebrate and connect with fellow community leaders from across Canada at the opening reception for EconoUs2017. Hear from Chief Dr. Robert Joseph from Reconciliation Canada and Shaun Loney, social entrepreneur, on reconciliation in the context of creating shared prosperity for all.
Location: Calgary Public Library, John Dutton Theatre
The opening reception is being held at the John Dutton Theatre on the second floor of the Central Library. The reception will kick off at 3:00pm with light food and refreshments while mingling with friends new and old from across Canada. At 3:30 sharp we’ll move into the theatre to hear from our MCs and speakers. Please don’t be late!
Getting there:
- Meet at Hotel Arts between 2:30 – 3:00 and enjoy a guided walk with Calgary Economic Development to the John Dutton Theatre.
- Arrive via public transit using the LRT City Hall C-Train Station
- Park your bike on the east side of the Central Library
- Park your car in the City Hall Parkade at 322 9 Ave SE or in the Impark lot at 332 6 Ave SE
9:00am-12:30pm | Empowering indigenous communities with stronger employment and economic development policies
(a workshop organized in partnership with the LEED Programme of the OECD) – presented by Sylvain Giguère from the OECD
In many OECD countries (including Canada, the United States, Australia, Mexico and New Zealand), there is a gap between indigenous and non-indigenous people on a range of critical socio-economic outcomes, including unemployment, educational attainment, and overall well-being. Well designed and targeted policies can assist indigenous peoples in developing skills to find long-term employment, while also contributing to broader economic development objectives and inclusive growth. This workshop will explore the role of federal, provincial and local policies in better preparing indigenous peoples for the labour markets of today and tomorrow. The workshop will focus on policy innovations in Canada and internationally that have positively contributed to the local employment and economic development outcomes of indigenous peoples. Discussions from this session will feed into an OECD report that will be published in December 2017.
Location: Hotel Arts – Spectrum 1/2
5:30pm-8:30pm | Food for Thought
Food For Thought is a feast for the senses! Enjoy 20+ local food and beverage sampling stations where you’ll savour Calgary’s finest ingredients while mingling with chefs and farmers. Learn why sustainable growing practices make a difference to your health, the planet and the local economy. Each ticket sold will provide a meal to someone in need through Mealshare. Proudly hosted by REAP Business Association in partnership with Hotel Arts.
Location: Hotel Arts
Alberta CED Gathering - 7:00 pm Hotel Arts Galleria Room
This gathering is designed to help us build relationships amongst Alberta CED stakeholders and inspire a sense of possibility for the future of CED in the province. We’ll dialogue about what’s possible for CED in Alberta and how we can move opportunities forward
If you would like to participate please contact: Sarah Leeson-Klym sleesonklym@ccednet-rcdec.ca or 204-218-1355
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Invisible
6:30am-7:30am | Yoga in the Park
Location: Hotel Arts Galleria Room
Yoga with Natasha Peace
Natasha has been teaching yoga for 16+ years and is inspired by her love and fascination of the power of breath. Teachers who have inspired her along the way are Danielle Pechie, Rameen Peyrow, Nancy Gilgoff, Fiona Stang and many teachers throughout the city of Calgary. Her class will leave you feeling blissfully balanced!
7:30am-9:15am | Breakfast Plenary - Building Thriving Communities
- Diane Hodgins, Shorefast Foundation
- Beatrice Alain, Le Chantier de l’économie sociale
- Frederic Khonje (Affinity Credit Union)
- Wayne Chiu (Trico Homes)
- Moderated by Nadia Kidwai, Journalist and Radio host
Location: Hotel Arts
**Breakfast will be served in the lobby between 7:30 – 8:00am.
9:15am-9:45am | Networking Break
9:45am-11:00am | Workshop Block 1
| BLOCK 1 – 9.45 am – 11.00 am | VENUE | BILINGUAL |
| Sustainable Development Goals | Hotel Arts – Spectrum 2 | Y |
| Alberta Economic Development and Trade: Resources for Corporations and Communities | Hotel Arts – Spectrum 1 | |
| Community Hubs: Better Together | First Baptist Church – Fellowship Hall | |
| Roundtable on social innovation and social finance | Hotel Arts – Main Ballroom | Y |
| WorkLinks: The strength of innovation and community | Memorial Park Library – Meeting Rm 1 | |
| Broadband in rural communities | Community Wise -2nd Flr Boardroom | |
| Meeting People Where They Are: paradigm shifting community impact | First Baptist Church – Underwood Room | |
| The living wage as a CED strategy | Memorial Park Library – Meeting Rm 2 | |
| The Changing Nature of Agriculture | Community Wise -The Underground Room |
For workshop descriptions visit https://2017.econous.ca/workshops
**(Please note that the Community Wise venue is inaccessible via wheelchair)
11:00am-11:30am | Networking Break
11:30am-12:45pm | Workshop Block 2
| BLOCK 2 – 11.30 am – 12.45 pm | VENUE | BILINGUAL |
| Anti-racist Organizational Change | First Baptist Church – Underwood Room | |
| Coop ways of making renewables accessible and do-able | Community Wise -The Underground Room | |
| Place based CED: a partnership approach | Hotel Arts – Spectrum 1 | |
| Building bridges between worker co-operatives and social enterprise | Hotel Arts – Spectrum 2 | Y |
| Microenterprise in the age of the gig economy | Community Wise -2nd Flr Boardroom | |
| Working Women: supporting careers and family | Memorial Park Library – Meeting Rm 2 | |
| Social Purchasing: a market-based tool for building healthy communities | Hotel Arts – Main Ballroom | Y |
| Social Impact Measurement | First Baptist Church – Fellowship Hall | |
| Stronger Together: Local Business Networks Create Shared Prosperity | Memorial Park Library – Meeting Rm 1 |
**(Please note that the Community Wise venue is inaccessible via wheelchair)
For workshop descriptions visit https://2017.econous.ca/workshops
12:45pm-2:15pm | Lunch
Location: Central Memorial Park
2:15pm-3:30pm | Workshop Block 3
| BLOCK 3 – 2.15 pm – 3.30 pm | VENUE | BILINGUAL |
| Three Cities, Three Approaches to CED | Hotel Arts – Main Ballroom | Y |
| Bridging the gap with Indigenous communities | Community Wise -The Underground Room | |
| Saving Main Street | Memorial Park Library – Meeting Rm 2 | |
| Micro Lending as a CED tool | Hotel Arts – Spectrum 2 | Y |
| Discover Hidden Talent: tap into the untapped labour market | Hotel Arts – Spectrum 1 | |
| Leadership for the New Economy | First Baptist Church – Fellowship Hall | |
| Exploring the Potential of Social Franchising in Canada | Memorial Park Library – Meeting Rm 1 | |
| Local Investing | First Baptist Church – Underwood Room | |
| Making Money Make a Difference | Community Wise -2nd Flr Boardroom |
**(Please note that the Community Wise venue is inaccessible via wheelchair)
For workshop descriptions visit https://2017.econous.ca/workshops
3:30pm-4:00pm | Networking Break
4:00pm-6:30pm | Craft Brew Tour
Craft brewing is on the rise across Canada. Alberta has grown from 19 breweries in 2014 to 51 today, with a new brewery opening every month. New local breweries bring more options for consumers, more tourism to the province, and most importantly, they create jobs in communities in every part of Alberta. Our craft brewers are an important component of the local food movement reconnecting people to the land, to those that make their food and to the community.
Terry Rock, Executive Director of Alberta Small Brewers Association will be our guide. We will travel to Calgary’s Northeast to visit three local brewers. Toolshed had humble beginnings in a backyard toolshed. Don’t be fooled by their name and roots, they are the fastest growing brewery in Calgary. We’ll cap the tour stopping by Common Crown whose goal is to bring people together through music, the arts, and beer.
By the end of this tour, we promise you’ll have fallen in love with our brewers, our beer, and our city.
Breweries included:
- Tool Shed
- Common Crown
- Zero Issue Brewing
**Participants will be taken by bus leaving and returning from Hotel Arts.
4:00pm-6:30pm | Beakerhead Tour
Photo by Trevor Lalonde
TOUR THE UPS AND DOWNS OF HUMAN INGENUITY!
Let one of Beakerhead’s enthusiastic Curiosity Rovers take you on a tour of some of the 2017 Beakerhead installations. You’ll get a dose of delight — and science! — on this 60-minute walking tour. Beakerhead is a smash-up of art, science, and engineering that runs from September 13 – 17, 2017. This year, the major installations create a larger-than-life story of Snakes and Ladders, highlighting the ups and downs of invention and innovation. The tour will take you through multiple experiences that are vastly different but share a common theme of celebrating human potential and imagination. Join us for an exploration of the game-changing characteristic of people who have stood here since the beginning of human history to today. The installations are approximately 15 minutes apart, so wear your walking shoes.
** Participants will be taken on a walking tour leaving and returning from Hotel Arts.
4:00pm-6:30pm | Techstock Tour
This annual event, presented by Innovate Calgary, runs as part of Beakerhead, a week-long smash up of art, science, and engineering.
**Participants will be taken by city transit (accompanied by volunteers) leaving and returning from Hotel Arts.
6:00pm-10:00pm | Doing Business Differently: An Evening of Celebration and Alignment
Join Trico Charitable Foundation for the Social EnterPrize, where two Canadian social enterprises will receive $100,000 each for demonstrating best practices, impact and innovation in Doing Business Differently.
These recipients will then be joined by two past recipients – Potluck Café and Catering and Mission Possible – for a panel conversation about alignment, the ‘secret sauce’ behind their success. The discussion will highlight the power of aligning the three EconoUs2017 themes, and aligning concepts that are too often thought of as mutually exclusive: using strong business models while also strategically utilizing grants, being a lead organization while also embracing community partnerships, and addressing the immediate needs of those in poverty while also seeking systemic change.
- Dan Overall (Executive Director, Trico Charitable Foundation)
- Colin Stanfield (Executive Director, Potluck Café Society)
- Matthew Smedley (Executive Director and CEO, Mission Possible)
2017 Social EnterPrize Recipients:
- Dan Kershaw (Executive Director, Furniture Bank)
- Diane Hodgins (CFO, Shorefast Foundation)
Location: Hotel Arts
**The evening will kick-off in the lobby of Hotel Arts at 6:00pm with exhibits and mingling with social entrepreneurs and community leaders that are innovation for shared prosperity. At 7:15pm we’ll move into the ballroom for dinner and the Trico Social EnterPrize Awards Ceremony.
Individual tickets are available for this event only here.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Invisible
6:30am-7:30am | Yoga in the Park
Location: Hotel Arts Galleria Room
Yoga with Uttamjeet Kaur
Uttamjeet Kaur describes the call to practice Kundalini Yoga as a voice impossible to ignore. Completely different from other styles of yoga, she was attracted to the unique facets of Kundalini Yoga. Uttamjeet is described as a grounded and comical yogi. She encourages people to be respectful of their bodies while at the same time she safely pushes you to go beyond the limits created by the mind. Her class will leave you feeling empowered, focused and aware of your full potential.
Kundalini Yoga is considered the most comprehensive of yoga traditions, combining meditation, mantra, physical exercises and breathing techniques. It works quickly to give you grace, balance, and most of all the ability to remain calm, centred and clear through life’s challenges. Previous experience in yoga is not required in order to achieve results with your very first class.
For more on Kundalini Yoga visit Studio Sat Nam.
7:30am-9:15am | Breakfast Plenary: Creating Good Jobs
Raising the Democratic Stakes:
Community Economic Development Strategies for Polarized Times
Looking to the end of this decade, we can see community economic developers are up against rising inequality, disruptive technology and polarizing politics. The good jobs that were the foundation of shared prosperity are disappearing. Citizens have been reduced to stakeholders in a local economic development process that too often acknowledges their interests but not their democratic power. It’s a time of experimentation with bold strategies to “raise the stakes” — to build power among residents and workers for decent work and equitable economic growth. It’s also an era of unprecedented collaboration in workplaces, neighbourhoods and cities everywhere. Panelists will discuss their current strategies and collaborative efforts, and challenge participants to reflect on what we can do to create sustainable livelihoods for all in the 21st century.
This plenary will explore how we as community leaders can unify and strengthen our vision to create good jobs and shared prosperity for all.
Panelits:
- Colette Murphy (Executive Director, Atkinson Foundation)
- Sylvain Giguere (Head, Local Economic & Employment Division (LEED), OECD)
- Alejandra Bravo (Director of Leadership and Training at the Broadbent Institute)
- Jessica Bonanno (Chief Financial Officer & Director, Employee Ownership Program (Democracy Collaborative)
Location: Hotel Arts
**Breakfast will be served in the lobby between 7:30 – 8:00am.
9:15am - 9:30am | Networking Break
9:30am-11:00am | From Learning to Action Part 1
This year we will spend our final plenary session moving from learning to action through a rapid design and peer coaching process that helps accelerate ideas using the talent that’s in the room. Up to a quarter of the participants at EconoUs2017 will have an opportunity to work on their projects in a collaborative and dynamic process. Think about the work you are doing, questions you have and places you are stuck. Gain the insight of a small group of peer coaches who will help bring fresh perspective and new ideas to your work. As a peer coach, you will gain inspiration and exposure to ideas that relate to work you’re doing while being part of helping bring great ideas to life.
11:00am - 11:30am | Networking Break
11:30am-12:45pm | From Learning to Action Part 2
This year we will spend our final plenary session moving from learning to action through a rapid design and peer coaching process that helps accelerate ideas using the talent that’s in the room. Up to a quarter of the participants at EconoUs2017 will have an opportunity to work on their projects in a collaborative and dynamic process. Think about the work you are doing, questions you have and places you are stuck. Gain the insight of a small group of peer coaches who will help bring fresh perspective and new ideas to your work. As a peer coach, you will gain inspiration and exposure to ideas that relate to work you’re doing while being part of helping bring great ideas to life.
Facilitated by: Chris Corrigan (Process Artist, a Teacher and a Facilitator of Social Technologies)
Location: Hotel Arts
12:45pm-1:00pm | Networking Break
1:00pm-2:30pm | Lunch and Closing Reception - Strengthening our efforts
Location: Hotel Arts
2:30pm-4:30pm | Poolside Party
Got some time to kill before your flight departs? Want to savour the EconoUs2017 vibe a little longer? Whatever your reason, you’ll find friends ready to hang out and keep the inspiration flowing poolside at Hotel Arts.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Chief Dr. Robert Joseph
Ambassador for Reconciliation Canada
Biography
Shaun Loney
Author and Social Enterprise Developer
Biography
Ethel Côté
Founder, mécènESS
Biography
Nadia Kidwai
Journalist and Radio Host, CBC Manitoba
Biography
Currently Nadia is a journalist and radio host with CBC Manitoba.
Most importantly, she is the mother of 2 young boys and therefore well versed in Star Wars, Minecraft and other equally important cultural phenomena.
Colette Murphy
Executive Director, Atkinson Foundation
Biography
A Canadian who was raised in the US, Colette cut her teeth as an activist working alongside refugees who found their way to Toronto in the 90s. Since then, she’s earned a North American reputation as a reliable ally, a tenacious advocate for social and economic justice, and a creative collaborator across traditional lines. Best known as an organizational capacity builder at United Way Toronto and a champion for inclusive local economies at the Metcalf Foundation, she has also worked behind-the-scenes on innovative poverty reduction, anti-racism and leadership development initiatives over the course of her career.
As the Executive Director of the 75-year old Atkinson Foundation, Colette focuses on strengthening movements for decent work, shared prosperity and democratic renewal. These efforts are inspired by the example set by Joseph Atkinson who knew poverty before he knew wealth as the publisher of Canada’s largest daily newspaper, the Toronto Star. To this day, the foundation’s public policy agenda and investment strategies reflect Mr. Atkinson’s deep personal concern for the lives and livelihoods of working people, and his pragmatic vision of a just society.
Fred Khonje
Community Development Manager, Affinity Credit Union
Biography
Fred holds two undergraduate degrees from the University of Saskatchewan (Bachelor of Arts Psychology and Sociology) and received his MBA in Community Economic Development from Cape Breton University. His greatest work is serving as a husband and proud father of two.
Béatrice Alain
Director of Partnerships and Head of International Relations, Chantier de l'économie sociale
Biography
Dave Mowat
President and CEO, ATB Financial
Biography
Dave used to be VanCity’s CEO and was known for the organization’s commitment to corporate social responsibility. He brought this passion forward to ATB Financial, the largest Alberta-based financial institution in 2007. As President and CEO Dave has helped ATB achieve a #2 ranking in Great Place to Work Canada’s large and multinational category (2017), be named one of Canada’s Top 50 Best Workplaces for Women (2016) and make the Aon Hewitt list of Canada’s 50 Best Employers (2015). Dave himself was at the top of Glassdoor’s list of Highest Rated CEOs in 2016 and was also recognized by Alberta Venture as one of the Top 50 Most Influential People.
Dave serves on the boards of Telus, STARS, Alberta Blue Cross, the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, and the National Music Centre in Calgary. He is also a staunch supporter of Dogs with Wings, a service agency working with blind and autistic children. Dave has an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Alberta. He and his wife Sandy have raised three children and now enjoy traveling and riding road bikes together
Chris Corrigan
Process Artist, a Teacher and a Facilitator of Social Technologies
Biography
Chris works with organizations seeking to improve their work, communities seeking to improve their future, people looking to improve their lives. He holds and cares for process – the ways in which we work together – to encourage people to make their best possible contributions. He has an unflagging belief that the answers and leadership we need arise out of collaboration and conversation. By facilitating skillful dialogue, he does his best to hold space for futures to emerge.
Diane Hodgins
Chief Financial Officer, Shorefast Foundation
Biography
Thursday Morning Breakfast Plenary: Building Thriving Communities
Alejandra Bravo
Director of Leadership and Training at the Broadbent Institute
Biography
Previously she was Manager of Leadership & Learning at Maytree, where she designed and delivered political and civic training for emerging and diverse leaders.
Alejandra contributes to movement building as a facilitator, trainer, mentor and strategist with various social change efforts. Active in the community benefits movement, she supports organizers and leaders.
She has a 25-year history of working for progressive social change with grassroots, immigrant, and labour groups. Alejandra has worked as a community organizer, political staff and has been a City Council candidate in Toronto.
Matthew Smedley
Executive Director and CEO, Mission Possible
Biography
Over the past 10 years, Matt has helped Mission Possible transition its programming from offering basic street-level care to being a leading community economic development organization in Vancouver’s downtown eastside. Through its employment readiness program and social enterprises (MP Maintenance and MP Neighbours that employ an average of 50 individuals per year in transitional jobs) Mission Possible is transforming lives by helping people experience a renewed sense of dignity and purpose through meaningful work. Mission Possible was a recipient of the Trico Social EnterPrize in 2011.
Sarah Leeson-Klym
Manitoba Regional Director, CCEDNet
Biography
Starting in 2011, her previous position as Learning and Engagement Coordinator focused on engaging CCEDNet’s Manitoba members, creating learning programs, coordinating The Manitoba Gathering, and the Enterprising Non-Profits program for social enterprise development. Sarah is active in her neighbourhood as a board member of the Daniel McIntyre St. Matthews Community Association. She is also a dedicated board member of the growing Rainbow Trout Music Festival and a regular volunteer for the LITE Wild Blueberry Pancake Breakfast.
WORKSHOP: Building bridges between worker co-operatives and social enterprise
Thursday Morning Breakfast Plenary: Building Thriving Communities
Dan Kershaw
Executive Director, Furniture Bank
Biography
Dan Kershaw is the Executive Director at Furniture Bank, one of Canada’s rapidly growing social purpose enterprises. Passionate about ‘business for good,’ Dan is the force behind the remarkable, positive growth the charity continues to enjoy. Fueled by a pioneering nature, Dan remains committed to ensuring the comfort and dignity of the clients Furniture Bank proudly serves. His particular knack for building one of a kind, intrapreneurial teams is evident at Furniture Bank. A human resources model, this is a team that continues to outperform in a culture dedicated to furnishing hope across Canada.
His is a storied career that spans well over two decades across a wide variety of industries and sectors. A celebrated thought leader, Dan holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and a Masters in Environmental Studies from Waterloo University. Dan also teaches at Georgian College and their new “Social Entrepreneurship in the Non-Profit Sector” Program in Barrie, Ontario.
Thursday Evening Plenary: Celebrating Doing Business Differently
Andrea Wall
Project Manager, Community Hubs Initiative Calgary
Biography
As a volunteer, Andrea serves as the Board Chair of Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre, and is the past chair of Calgary+Acumen – the local chapter of a global nonprofit dedicated to Changing the Way the World Tackles Poverty through impact investments in social enterprises. She holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Calgary and is currently completing an MBA with a Community Economic Development focus through Cape Breton University.
Workshop Lead: Community Hubs, Better Together
Kaitlin Lauridsen
Senior Consultant, Centre for Race and Culture
Biography
Sahar Ibrahim
Educator and Project Administrator, Centre for Race and Culture
Biography
Seth Leon
Manager of co-operative services, Alberta Community and Co-operative Association
Biography
Colin Rioux
Director, Alberta Solar Co-op
Biography
As a registered Professional Engineer with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), Colin Rioux’s career started in natural gas production and business development with EnCana Corporation (formerly PanCanadian) in Drumheller, Alberta, and progressed to reserves and M&A evaluations on Canadian deep basin assets.
Jeff Loomis
Executive Director, Momentum
Biography
Carla Leon
Manager, New Initiatives for EDGE
Biography
Ryan Turnbull
President, Eco-Ethonomics Inc.
Biography
Stephanie Jackman
President and Founder, REAP Business Association
Biography
Louisa Ferrel
Co-owner, True Buch
Biography
Chad Zelensky
Owner, Lowen's Skincare
Biography
Megan Solamillo
Community Social Worker, City of Calgary
Biography
Courtney Robertson
Community social worker, City of Calgary
Biography
Philip Lozano
Thrive Community Economic Development Coordinator, Momentum
Biography
Brooks Hanewich
Co-founder of MatchWork and the current Executive Director of Gateway Association
Biography
Karen McDonald
Co-founder of MatchWork and Executive Director at the Sage Seniors Association
Biography
Kenya Kondo
Co-founder of MatchWork, founder of GetNeighbour.com and co-founder of MyNewly.com
Biography
Stacey Gellatly
Director of Economic Development Programs, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
Biography
Christina Fowler
Executive Director, the Saint John Learning Exchange
Biography
Yvon Poirier
Member of the Board, CCEDNet
Biography
He has participated in many RIPESS activities and gatherings, on various continents, from 2005 until today. Yvon took part in numerous World Social Forums including the last one in Montreal in 2016. Since October 2013, he has been a member of RIPESS’s Board and he acts now as Vice-Coordinator, he also is a member of a number of committees. Yvon is the head of RIPESS’s delegation at the UN Inter-Agency Taskforce on Social and Solidarity Economy. He also represents the RIPESS at the International Leading Group of the SSE, an organization led by France and a few other countries. Through this latest involvement, he had the chance to speak at various events, including a UN meeting in September 2016. Yvon is RIPESS’s representative on the GSEF, Global Social Economy Forum Board.
Dayna Lutes
Coordinator, The Saint John Learning Exchange
Biography
Dayna holds a Bachelor of English and a Master in Adult Education and believes grassroots community level work is an essential element in poverty reduction. She is also an entrepreneur and owns her own yoga business providing accessible classes to the general public and has a special interest in the role of yoga in mental health and addictions.
Thulasy Lettner
Equity Framework Coordinator, CommunityWise Resource Centre
Biography
Khalil Alomar
Co-Founder, VOICES: a Coalition of Queer and Straight People of Color
Biography
Nitika Rewari
Manager, Workplace Mental Health, Mental Health Commission of Canada
Biography
Social Purchasing: A Market-Based Tool for Building Healthy Communities.
Melanie Mitra
CEO, Prospect Human Services Society
Biography
David LePage
Co-founder and Managing Partner,Buy Social Canada and Co-founder, Social Enterprise Institute
Biography
Aatif Baskanderi
Commercialization Manager for Kinetica Ventures, Innovate Calgary and Co-President, Engineers Without Borders Calgary City Chapter
Biography
Bob Miller
Regional Economic Prosperity Lead and Manager, Calgary Regional Partnership, Calgary Region Economic Development Alliance
Biography
Mark van Engelen
Co-Founder and Director, Earth Educators
Biography
Seema Jindal
Co-Founder and Director, Earth Educators Inc
Biography
Amy Robinson
Founder & Executive Director, LOCO BC
Biography
Martin Garber-Conrad
Chief Executive Officer, Edmonton Community Foundation
Biography
After a brief stint designing resource industry training programs, Martin has spent most of his career leading non-profit organizations. His accomplishments include several social housing projects, restoring/repurposing historic buildings and starting a social enterprise—Kids in the Hall Bistro–in Edmonton’s City Hall.
At the Foundation, Martin’s interests include their nine-year old Social Enterprise Fund—started in partnership with The City of Edmonton. The SEF has successfully loaned $30 million to 50 charities and non-profits in Edmonton and takes a leadership role in the developing social finance movement in Canada.
Martin’s current passion and preoccupation is Edmonton’s new Community Development Corporation, in response to the End Poverty Edmonton strategy.
Wes Regan
Social Planner Responsible for Community Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Initiatives, City of Vancouver
Biography
Passionate about environmental and urban sustainability he is a founding Director of the Vancouver Urban Farming Society and was a founding partner at Urban Stream Innovation, a food systems technology startup. Wes has experience serving on the Executive and advisory boards of several other advocacy organizations including Conversations for Responsible Economic Development (CRED BC), LOCO BC (Past Chair), the SFU Urban Studies Graduate Student Society, and the BC Partners for Social Impact, a Provincial policy think tank examining ways to support and enable social innovation in communities and regions in British Columbia.
Anna De Paoli
President, De Paoli & Associates Inc.
Biography
James Stauch
Director, Institute for Community Prosperity
Biography
Reva George
Founder, REVAMP Marketing
Biography
Anne-Marie Saulnier
Director, Espace de concertation sur les achats responsables (ECPAR)
Biography
After having worked more than ten years in the social economy sector in Quebec, followed by ten years in international work for the Centre d’études et de coopération internationale (CECI), Anne-Marie Saulnier specialized in enterprise responsibility in global supply chain. She collaborates with United Nationals programs, international research centres and enterprises to strengthen the respect of work health, safety and the environmental conditions in Canadian organizations’ supply chains. In 2008, she co-founded Espace de concentration sur les pratiques d’approvisionnement responsable (ECPAR), a network of Canadian leaders who collaborate to implement sustainable development in their procurement from the social economy sector since 2008.
Catherine Ludgate
Manager of Community Investment, Vancity
Biography
Bob Dyrda
Project Lead, Alberta SouthWest Regional Economic Development Alliance
Biography
Peter Driftmier
Baker and Co-founder, The Grain Exchange
Biography
Gail Henderson
Assistant Professor, Queen's University
Biography
Sandra Huculak
Managing Director, Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Investment, ATB Financial
Biography
Jordan Reiniger
Director of Programs and Development, Boyle Street Community Services
Biography
Roselyne Mavungu
Executive Director, le Réseau québécois du crédit communautaire (RQCC)
Biography
Jane Bisbee
Executive Director, Social Enterprise Fund Canada
Biography
Quentin Sinclair
Co-founder and Director, Local Investing YYC
Biography
Rupert Downing
Manager, Vancouver Island Community Investment Co-operative
Biography
Wendy Keats
Executive Director, Co-operative Enterprise Council
Biography
Abbas Mancey
Project Lead, the Community Development Learning Initiative
Biography
Over the past 12 years Abbas as worked in the areas community development and community building, violence prevention and activating resident leadership in Guyana, the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa and more recently in Canada (Alberta). Through his current work with CDLI Abbas continues to seek out opportunities for collaboration around refining Community Development practice and learning. Abbas is a member of Men’s Action Network Calgary [MAN-C] which is a community-based group focused on engaging men and boys to prevent domestic violence. Good facilitation practice and good process design–along with a deep belief in our common humanity–guides much of his work.
Abbas has completed a Bachelor of Science from the University of Guyana, a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies from the University of Calgary and is a Fogarty Fellow in Research Practice & Program Evaluation from The Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami.
Jonathan Coburn
Founding Director, Social Value Lab
Biography
Carinna Rosales
Co-Director, SEED Winnipeg
Biography
Trina Wamboldt
Executive Director, Urban Matters CCC
Biography
Danielle Levine
CEO, Kanuu Indigenous Innovation Society
Biography
Courtney Hare
Public Policy Manager, Momentum
Biography
Warren Sarauer
Evergreen and Gold Renewable Energy Ltd., Solar Energy Society of Alberta, Ceres Medical Inc.
Biography
Blythe Butler
Consultant: Change Management, Collective Impact, Organizational Development, Strategy & Evaluation
Biography
Blythe has a broad and diverse background in quality improvement, evaluation, strategic planning, change management and organizational development. She is an accomplished facilitator and stakeholder engagement practitioner with over 15 years’ experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, including roles in community investment, corporate social responsibility, social enterprise, process safety management and change management. Blythe is known for taking a multi-disciplinary approach to develop strategies that address complex challenges and translating those into practical action.
Blythe is currently a Board Member of the Human Venture Institute and the Wildwood Playschool, past chair of the Leadership Calgary Program Committee and a past Board Member for Volunteer Calgary (now Propellus). In 2008, Blythe was named to Calgary’s ‘Top 40 Under 40’ for her career achievements and contributions to the community. She holds a BComm in Finance and International Development from the University of Alberta, and has studied Journalism at Carleton University and Design Marketing at Parsons in New York City, and served as a Parliamentary Page in the House of Commons.
Hazel Corcoran
Executive Director Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation (CWCF)
Biography
“In my opinion, the power to act of cooperatives and mutuals is… vital, and creates hope to build a people-centric world, a world of solidarity.”
Mike Byerley
Program Coordinator, Next Up Calgary
Biography
Sentiment without Action is the ruin of the Soul~ Edward Abbey
Today the world is wracked in urgent crises. How are these to be faced and still leave space to work for the good of future generations? In Alberta I’m constantly told that the Petrostate economy is “how it is” and we have no alternative system to be a part of. As an Albertan, I can see how changes made through connecting on ideas and values has profound impact. As an educator I see that skills, capacity and collaboration create and empower personal and systemic change. As a community organizer I see that shared purpose, common action and inclusion are successful in building the movement for justice. These are exciting times, sometimes fearful, often hopeful. Lately I’m finding my inspiration in finding other action oriented people and taking the steps to create just solutions to the intersecting climate and social issues we face here in Alberta.
In addition to coordinating the Calgary program since 2010, Mike is the program coordinator for the Next Up Climate Leadership Program.
Michael Toye
Executive Director, CCEDNet
Biography
Michael Toye became Executive Director of CCEDNet in August of 2008, bringing a deep background in community economic development (CED) to the Director’s chair. Upon earning his Master of Social Work at McGill, Michael helped set up two worker co-operatives that provide research, consulting and training services related to CED and the social economy.
Michael’s involvement with CCEDNet dates back to 2000 when he helped organize CCEDNet’s National Policy Forum while serving as a coordinator with the Coopérative de consultation en développement La Clé. In 2003 he joined CCEDNet officially as Community Learning Program Director.
As CCEDNet’s program director from 2003 to 2006, Michael coordinated a 3-year action-research project exploring the links between social inclusion and CED. In addition, he led the coordination of CCEDNet’s annual national conferences, which attract hundreds of CED experts and practitioners from across the country each year. Subsequently, Michael deepened his knowledge of Canadian social policy and parliamentary process by serving as a policy analyst at the Library of Parliament in Ottawa, while teaching courses on CED and social enterprise at Concordia University.
Michael has written a number of articles and other publications on CED and the social economy, including co-editing the book, Community Economic Development: Building for Social Change.
Erin Melnychuk
Business Development Manager - Momentum
Biography
Kyle Setter
Director of Strategy and Innovation, Connect First Credit Union
Biography
As the Director of Strategy & Innovation at Connect First Credit Union, Kyle Setter is responsible for the areas of strategy, business innovation, community investment and post-merger integration.
With over nine years of experience in strategy and marketing, he graduated with an MBA from the Ivey School of Business, focused on strategy and leadership. He is a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Program, a Beta Gamma Sigma inductee and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary.
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