Dr. Karen Benzies
Liminality Innovations Inc
A serial academic social innovator, Benzies practiced clinically as a nurse and midwife. She holds a PhD and two post-doctoral fellowships (Stockholm and Ottawa) and served as Associate Dean Research and Acting Dean. Benzies acquired $33 million in operating grants and led multiple large teams to generate over 160 research publications. Benzies’ expertise in design and sustainment of interventions in complex ecosystems and social innovation shaped her startup, Liminality.
Liminality's flagship product, Merge, is an evolution of family centred care that systematically creates a culture shift to bring parents closer to the care of their baby in NICU.
Workshops
Other speakers & attendees
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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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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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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Laura Keating Elske
People & Planet Consulting
Decision strategist, facilitator, and community builder with expertise in structured decision-making
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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