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2025 Speakers

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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 beauty brand based in Canmore, Alberta. Since taking over the business in 2000, she has grown it from a small shop into a national brand with over a dozen retail locations and a 25,000 sq. ft. workshop where all products are made in-house. Karina is known for her authentic leadership and commitment to sustainability, natural ingredients, and community. She is also a strong supporter of youth-focused initiatives like Fast and Female and Spirit North.

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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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Attendees

Kira Hunt

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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Adrienne Furrie

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

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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Michelle Lee

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

Laura Keating Elske

People & Planet Consulting

Decision strategist, facilitator, and community builder with expertise in structured decision-making

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Philip Lozano

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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