
Amy Reynolds
UpEarth Pathways
I often tell people that my journey to founding UpEarth Pathways began long before I ever wrote my first grant proposal. It started in small-town Saskatchewan, where I grew up surrounded by the rhythms of rural life. Some of my most cherished memories are from time spent around the farm, especially with the animals—they always felt like kin to me. There was something about that connection to the land and the understanding of how everything works together that shaped my worldview from a very young age.
Those early experiences taught me about the interconnected nature of ecological and economic prosperity, though I wouldn't have used those words then. I just knew that when the land was healthy, the community thrived. When neighbors supported each other, everyone prospered. These weren't abstract concepts—they were lived realities in rural Saskatchewan
Fast-forward through 25+ years of professional experience in project coordination, business analysis, and relationship building. I developed expertise in sales strategy, continuous process improvement, and what I've always been passionate about—creating exceptional customer experiences through clear communication. I was successful by conventional standards, but something was missing. I had all these skills for navigating complex systems and connecting people with resources, but I wasn't using them for something that truly aligned with my values.
The turning point came when I realized I could leverage my professional skillset to serve my community in a way that honored those early lessons from Saskatchewan. I wanted to spread a mindset of hope and abundance, and I saw how grant funding could be the bridge between environmental vision and practical implementation.
Workshops
Other speakers & attendees

Amy Reynolds
UpEarth Pathways
Amy is the founder of UpEarth Pathways, where she blends her 25+ years of experience in project coordination with a passion for regenerative practices—specializing in grant research and storytelling that connect environmental vision with tangible, funded outcomes for communities and the land.
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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
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Rajan Rathnavalu
Newo Global Energy
Founder and CEO of Newo Global Energy, a non-profit social enterprise that engages in solar installation and energy audit services while training people with barriers to employment, particularly Indigenous youth.
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Tonya Surman
Centre for Social Innovation, CEO
Tonya Surman is a leading Canadian social entrepreneur and founding CEO of the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI). She’s known for creating visionary ideas, collaborative models, and spaces that drive systemic change. Tonya co-developed the Constellation Model and the Community Bond, which has raised over $10M to support social purpose real estate. Under her leadership, CSI has supported 6000+ changemakers. She also founded Social Innovation Canada, uniting innovators nationwide. Tonya is an award-winning leader recognized by Ashoka, the Trillium Foundation, and others.
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Jerome Morgan
Innovate Calgary - Social Innovation Hub
Jerome is an innovations expert and change agent, shaping social, creative, entrepreneurial, and economic change. He is currently the Associate Director for the Social Innovation Hub, with Innovate Calgary.
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Barbara Lee
Italiano Please! Ltd.
Barbara is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Italiano Please! Ltd., a family-run social enterprise that is a Micro-Business with a Mega-Mission.
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Nicole Welykochy
Newo Global Energy
As an energy auditor and Faithful Footprints lead, Nicole brings expertise and enthusiasm for helping people improve their buildings, meet emissions goals and make a positive impact on their communities.
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Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed
ALCLA Native Plants
Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed is a botanist, herbalist, educator, and artist, and is co-owner of ALCLA Native Plants.
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Brian Hill
TuffHill eBikes
Co-Founder of TuffHill eBikes, locally designed eBikes suited for the Canadian riding environment. TuffHill eBikes takes an inclusive, educational approach as they connect with customers, and advocate with the city for better bike infrastructure.
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Leah Fink
All Thrive
Leah Fink is the founder of All Thrive, a company dedicated to improving workplace mental health. She is passionate about creating environments where mental health is prioritized, enabling both individuals and organizations to thrive.
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Adrienne Furrie
Adrienne Furrie Beauty
Professional makeup artist and beauty brand founder with over 20 years of experience working in beauty, fashion, and business
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Keith Murray
Second Fire Sacred Arts
Faith leader and transdisciplinary artist – a writer, designer, activist, speaker & facilitator
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Molly Seaton-Fast
Arcana Creative
Molly Seaton-Fast is the founder, CEO and Creative Director of Arcana Creative, a woman-led social venture and design studio based in Saskatoon.
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Karina Birch
Rocky Mountain Soap Company, CEO
Karina Birch is the co-owner and CEO of Rocky Mountain Soap Company; a Canadian natural cosmetic brand rooted in purpose and place.
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Brittany Vine
The Social Impact Lab Alberta
Project Director at The Social Impact Lab, leading social innovation initiatives through community co-design and regional socio-economic development.
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Jenna Walsh
Momentum/Be Local YYC
Social Business Coordinator with Be Local YYC, Co-founder of GOT Foundation and Founder of Elevated Escapes
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Jeff Loomis
Executive Director, Momentum
Jeff works as the Executive Director of Momentum - a change-making organization that combines social and economic strategies to reduce poverty in Calgary. Momentum partners with people living on lower-incomes to get good jobs, create their own job through self-employment and save money to build their assets.
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Alyssa Lindsay
Capacity Building Associate at Calgary Foundation
Alyssa Lindsay is a dedicated and innovative non-profit leader with over 15 years of experience in social innovation, design thinking, and systems change. In her current role as a Capacity Building Associate at Calgary Foundation, Alyssa contributes to community building and engagement through research, co-design, and facilitation of shared learning and collaborative spaces.
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Michelle Lee
Mount Royal University
Coordinator of StartWork at MRU, supporting refugees and newcomers through inclusive employment and social innovation
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Heather Jansen
Change is Good
Currently leading ventures at Calgary Dream Centre, including the successful evolution of boutique thrift store, Change is Good, from online platform to brick-and-mortar operation.
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Laurel Dault
Hollyhock Leadership Institute
Facilitator and lead of Hollyhock's Signature Programming, including Activate, Run for Office, and Social Venture Institute (SVI)
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Kira Hunt
Adaptive Ecosystems
Landscape technologist, biomimicry researcher, and artist with a broad range of knowledge that includes urban planning, ecology, biology, design, machining, and mapmaking.
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Laura Keating Elske
People & Planet Consulting
Decision strategist, facilitator, and community builder with expertise in structured decision-making
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Barb Rallison
Institute for Community Prosperity / MRU / StartWork
Social innovator, community economic development leader, and impact investor with deep roots in Moh’kinsstsis and Métis-settler heritage, working at the intersection of systems change, equity, and place-based prosperity.
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Jude Brunt
Purppl
Community Lead at Purppl, working with nonprofits and social enterprises to help them secure consulting and coaching services.
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Carrie Liu
Bamboo Dumplings
Carrie has experience as an IT Business Analyst to help organization streamline and automate processes in addition to running Bamboo Dumplings for the last 5 years.
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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
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Colby Delorme
Imagination Group
Colby Delorme is President of the Imagination Group of Companies and a Métis entrepreneur with experience spanning construction, brand development, marketing, certification, franchise development, tobacco manufacturing, and business consulting.
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Joh Smolders
Purppl
Joh is an Entrepreneur in Residence with Purppl, as well as owner of an accounting consulting business, providing financial support and coaching to social enterprises.
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Cara Taylor
Oaks Mental Health
Cara Taylor (she/her) is the founder of Oaks Mental Health and a passionate mental health educator with over a decade of social work experience in mobile crisis, inpatient psychiatry, and private practice.
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Beth Ed
The Social Impact Lab Alberta
Beth is a service designer at The Social Impact Lab with a background in media and UX design.
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