
Diana Frost
Colouring It Forward
Originally from Québec, Diana spent her formative years in West Africa—an early awakening to the beauty of diverse cultures and the complex realities of life in developing countries. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in environmental engineering, leading to seven years working across Latin America and the Caribbean as a water and sanitation engineer.
Returning to Canada, she continued her engineering career in Calgary, focusing on water distribution and treatment systems. But Diana’s path soon expanded beyond engineering. As an Algonquin mixed-blood woman, a visual artist, and a musician, she felt called to help others reconnect with Indigenous wisdom and creativity.
In 2016, a powerful dream inspired Diana to publish a series of colouring books that would share teachings from Indigenous Elders alongside artwork from Indigenous artists. That vision became Colouring It Forward, a social enterprise that continues to create books and products that honour and uplift Indigenous voices, while also supporting artists, Elders, and community development initiatives.
Diana has also supported Indigenous artists in writing grants for murals and creative projects, helping them bring their visions to life. In 2017, she founded the CIF Reconciliation Society (now Pokaiks Reconciliation Society), dedicated to advancing reconciliation through the arts. Under her leadership, the organization launched the annual Pokaiks: The Children Walk, a powerful Truth and Reconciliation Day gathering that honours residential school survivors and commemorates the children we lost. The society has also curated exhibits and workshops in partnership with Arts Commons, Alberta University of the Arts, the Alberta Society of Artists, and many others.
In 2024, Diana stepped down as Chair of Pokaiks Reconciliation Society to pursue new opportunities. She now contributes her skills to the Be Local team at Momentum, where she supports Calgary’s social enterprise community through communications, event planning, learning content production, and Social Return on Investment (SROI) strategy.
Workshops
Other speakers & attendees
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Michelle Lee
Mount Royal University
Coordinator of StartWork at MRU, supporting refugees and newcomers through inclusive employment and social innovation
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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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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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Keith Murray
Second Fire Sacred Arts
Faith leader and transdisciplinary artist – a writer, designer, activist, speaker & facilitator
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Jeff Loomis
Executive Director, Momentum
Jeff Loomis is the Executive Director of Momentum, a Calgary-based community economic development organization that works to reduce poverty by providing training, business development support, and financial empowerment programs.
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