
Hyder Hassan
FIREX3 training product of SAFEblu Fire and Safety
Hyder Hassan is the Principal Owner and Operator of SAFEBLU Fire and Safety, a rural Alberta–based company making community impact by creating a best-in-class fire and safety service while employing both local and international talent. He also serves as Executive Director of Pro Bono Law Alberta.
Hyder is the Founder & Board Chair of Soul Strategic Ventures (UPcomer Capital Ventures, SEi Consulting, Fire-X3—SAFEBLU’s training program to upskill refugees and newcomers) and Co-Founder of Fullsoul.ca as well as a fibre optics startup, where he serves as Operational CFO of the Board.
He was the visionary and implementer of GatewayConnects.ca, a landmark digital transformation that reshaped how newcomers to Calgary and Alberta connect with settlement services, employment, and community resources.
With over 15 years of Financial Services and Wealth Management executive experience and more than 5 years in senior leadership roles in the civil society sector, Hyder brings deep expertise in innovation, integration, and community impact. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Investment Manager (CIM), and an expert on the challenges and opportunities faced by the newcomer segment.
In governance, he serves on multiple boards including private sector startups, the Premier’s Council on Civil Society and Charities, and the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) Board, where he contributes to both the investment and advocacy committees.
Hyder is a graduate of the Directors Education Program from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and holds an MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from HEC Paris.
Beyond his professional roles, Hyder is the District Chair of Community Assessments & Partnerships and an active member of the Rotary Club of Calgary Fish Creek. His leadership and community impact have been recognized with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal and as a recipient of Top 40 Under 40.
Workshops
Other speakers & attendees

Jude Brunt
Purppl
Community Lead at Purppl, working with nonprofits and social enterprises to help them secure consulting and coaching services.
more
Rachel Forbes
Imagination Consulting
Rachel Victoria Forbes is the Project Coordinator at Imagination Consulting, coordinating nationwide engagements in project management, policy review, documentation development, and operational improvement.
more
Trish Kelly Chornyj
Untapped Accessibility (legal name: Open Door Ventures CCC Ltd)
A purpose-driven leader with over two decades of experience helping organizations operationalize their social goals. At Untapped, she is the team’s expert on accessible procurement and people leadership.
more
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.
more
Randy Poon
Purpose and Performance Project
Chief Story Officer and Founder of the Purpose and Performance Project, a consulting and coaching collaborative that helps leaders and organizations align purpose with impact.
more.jpg)
Michelle Lee
Mount Royal University
Coordinator of StartWork at MRU, supporting refugees and newcomers through inclusive employment and social innovation
more
Ryan Lacanilao
Alberta Living Wage Network
Ryan Lacanilao is the Coordinator and Economist for the Alberta Living Wage Network. He guides the living wage calculations, manages the certification program, and leads the Network’s projects. Before shifting focus to the nonprofit sector, he spent a decade in the public service as a policy researcher, analyst, and advisor, where he specialized in principles-focused evaluation, intersectional analysis, and systemic design.
more
Hyder Hassan
FIREX3 training product of SAFEblu Fire and Safety
Principal Owner and Operator of SAFEBLU Fire and Safety, a rural Alberta–based company making community impact by creating a best-in-class fire and safety service while employing both local and international talent. He also serves as Executive Director of Pro Bono Law Alberta.
more
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.
more
Christina Owczarek
XhAle Brew Co.
Founder of XhAle Brew Co, a profit-for-purpose craft brewing company, and a first of it's kind as Alberta's first all-women-and-queer founded brewing company
more.jpg)
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
more.png)
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
more
Mariya Podeyko
:AM CLEANING YYC
Holistic entrepreneur, speaker, mentor, and founder of :AM CLEANING YYC, who’s on a mission to elevate the cleaning profession and crush old stereotypes.
more

Jeff Loomis
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.
more
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.
more
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.
more
Jasmine Navarro
The Glue
Social Impact Professional with 10+ years of experience driving equity-centered community development, strategic program design, and leadership across Calgary’s nonprofit sector
more
Alex Laidlaw
Calgary Foundation
Alex Laidlaw manages a loan program for charities and non-profits at Calgary Foundation, as Director of Impact Investments.
more
Adrienne Furrie
Adrienne Furrie Beauty
Professional makeup artist and beauty brand founder with over 20 years of experience working in beauty, fashion, and business
more
.jpg)
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.
more
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.
more
Neji Tawo
Jobseek AI
Software engineer and tech entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience in building solutions that address critical social problems.
more
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.
more

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.
more
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.
more
Judith Virag
Clean Club Calgary
Founder and CEO of Clean Club Calgary, bringing over 15 years of corporate experience to her business.
more
Bill Zheng
RadiCare Ventures
President & CEO of RadiCare Ventures, a Calgary-based social enterprise that employs individuals facing barriers such as homelessness, addiction, and justice involvement.
more
Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed
ALCLA Native Plants
Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed is a botanist, herbalist, educator, and artist, and is co-owner of ALCLA Native Plants.
more
Natacha Jean-Jacques
Diverse Roots Foundation
Founder of Diverse Roots Foundation, dedicated to empowering immigrants, refugees, youth, seniors, and underserved communities in both Canada and Haiti. Through a wide range of programs—including education, employment training, health services, and social integration—we help individuals build strong, self-reliant lives.
more
Jodi Phelan
Hiregood Services Inc.
CEO of Hiregood Services Inc., a for-profit social enterprise that creates meaningful employment for people facing barriers while delivering essential services that keep Edmonton and Calgary’s communities safe, clean, and welcoming.
more
Bibiana Cala
Huginn Insight
Dedicated to fostering growth, community development, and sustainable practices across sectors, always driven by a passion for helping people and organizations reach their full potential.
more
Keith Murray
Second Fire Sacred Arts
Faith leader and transdisciplinary artist – a writer, designer, activist, speaker & facilitator
more
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.
more
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.
more
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.
more
Carrie Armstrong
Indigenous Tourism Alberta
Senior director of development at Indigenous Tourism Alberta, and founder/owner Mother Earth Essentials.
more
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.
more
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.
more
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.
more
David Fletcher
Youth Hoops Basketball Academy
Social impact leader serving as a Neighbourhood Resource Coordinator with the City of Edmonton and Operations Manager of YouthHoops Basketball Academy. He specializes in mobilizing citizen-led initiatives, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and designing inclusive programs that build long-term community capacity.
more
Karlee Fellner
ᒪᐢᑭᐦᑭᕀ maskihkiy wellness
Member of the Otipemisiwak Métis Nation of Alberta, a Registered Psychologist (Alberta), and CEO and Founder of ᒪᐢᑭᐦᑭᕀ maskihkiy wellness. Dr. Fellner worked for over 10 years as a Professor of Counselling Psychology-Indigenous Education at the University of Calgary before resigning her tenured position to focus on community-based clinical work.
more
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.
more
Leslie Hill
Discovery House
Executive Director at Discovery House for almost 5 years, with a deep passion for supporting families experiencing domestic violence, and in breaking the cycle of domestic violence through working with families and children to heal from the trauma they have experienced.
more
Laurel Dault
Hollyhock Leadership Institute
Facilitator and lead of Hollyhock's Signature Programming, including Activate, Run for Office, and Social Venture Institute (SVI)
more
Brianne Miller
Hollyhock
Start-up advisor, entrepreneur, and consultant who works at the intersection of conservation, food systems, and social entrepreneurship - community is the thread that drives my work and ties it all together!
more
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.
more
Zach Manntai
For the City
Zach Manntai acts as Managing Director at For the City, developing strategies and overseeing the team. Founded in 2017, For The City has established itself as a boutique consulting firm, focusing on the intersection of faith and community.
more
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.
more.png)
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.
more
Eva Verity
Social Innovation Hub
Facilitator, producer, and grant writing consultant who has developed and led creative social innovation projects with local communities in more than 30 cities in Canada, the US, UK, Australia, Asia, and Europe.
more
Alex Hurman
Hurman Art&Photography
Professional photographer who lives in Calgary, working in the genres of portrait, fashion, fine art, and documentary photography.
more
Gloria Juarez
The Marriage Savers Cleaning
Gloria Juarez is the co-founder and owner of The Marriage Savers Cleaning, a family-owned business in Calgary specializing in luxury residential cleaning, post-construction services, chandelier care, and concierge solutions.
more
.jpg)
Laura Keating Elske
People & Planet Consulting
Decision strategist, facilitator, and community builder with expertise in structured decision-making
more
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.
more
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.
more
Holly Singer
Milk Jar Candle Company
Holly is the heart and soul behind Milk Jar, a candle company that does more than just smell good, it does good. As founder and CEO, Holly built Milk Jar on the belief that workspaces should be as inclusive as they are inviting.
more
Travis Smith
Hop Studios
President of Hop Studios, a boutique web agency specializing in digital tools for non-profits.
more
Jenna Walsh
Momentum/Be Local YYC
Social Business Coordinator with Be Local YYC, Co-founder of GOT Foundation and Owner of Elevated Escapes
more
Natalie Wynn-Dempsey
Little Wonders Early Literacy Music Play Program
As the creator of Little Wonders Early Literacy, Music, and Play Program Offering, I have spent over 18 years evolving the work—from Mother Goose to Mother Goes to Africa and everything in between— weaving Indigenous teachings and cultural stories into early learning and community wellness. Today, as Indigenous Engagement Coordinator at Momentum, I draw on 30+ years of experience, guided by Elders, ceremony, and community, to help advance Truth and Reconciliation.
more
Dieulita Datus
Ubuntu-Mobilizing Central Alberta
An executive director, builder, strategist, and a dreamer who refuses to accept that “the way it’s always been” is the way it has to be.
more