Jerry Firth is a Community Development Officer with the Community Development Unit of Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women, supporting the non-profit and volunteer sector in building organizational and board capacity. His Blackfoot name is Píítaana (bee-dah-nah) meaning Eagle Man. Family is the heart of Jerry’s life. He is married to Tammy, and they have two children together, Addisen and Caydence. He has a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degree specializing in Leadership in Human Services from the University of Calgary; with extensive experience in different capacities within the human service and non-profit sector, as well as leadership capacities. Jerry is very involved in the community, having volunteered for various committees, boards, and projects.

Caitlin Gajdostik is the Grants Coordinator at the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta, and began her career with the Foundation in 2015. Caitlin works with many community groups and charities throughout southwestern Alberta to help them develop their projects, as well as guide them through the grant application process. In addition to working with community groups, Caitlin also works with donors and grant review volunteers to ensure the success of the grant programs. Caitlin holds a B.A in Communications from Mount Royal University. She has previously served as chair of National Philanthropy Day Committee in Lethbridge, as well as led the review of various Federal Government grant programs for charitable groups in Alberta throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. Caitlin is currently participating in the “Future Forward” learning exchange program of emerging philanthropic leaders from community foundations throughout Canada and Europe.

Abigail Shakespeare (she/her) has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia and a MA in Leadership from Royal Roads University. She has spent her career creating opportunities for marginalized voices in the non-profit sector and has a particular interest in advancing gender equity. Passionate about challenging the status quo and pushing leaders out of their comfort zones, Abigail is excited about creating innovative ways to support non-profit leaders in their quest to do more good in their communities. Her experience in strategic fundraising in the social justice and mental health fields ensures that she is always keeping organizational stability and sustainability top of mind. She is a queer, biracial woman and works as Director of Development for a National 2SLGBTQ+ charitable organization.

Justin works as a Community Development Officer with the Community Development Unit of Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women as a member of the team at the Cochrane Office. Justin’s background is in community organizing and engagement, program development and coordination, and facilitation and training. He has a Master of Social Work degree specializing in International and Community Development from the University of Calgary. Highlights include experience with the International Federation of Social Workers, and their role in the Non-Governmental Organization Committee at the United Nations in New York. Originally from Vancouver, Justin also has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Family Studies from the University of British Columbia, and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Victoria. He has a wealth of experience working with diverse communities and organizations with diverse needs.

For the past 17 years Karen has worked as a Community Development Officer with Alberta Culture and Status of Women to provide support to non-profits in the area of board governance, planning, community engagement, evaluation and fund development. She holds a Master of Science degree in Community Development, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a diploma in non-profit management. Karen also stays active in community service with her involvement in Rotary, the YMCA, Community Foundation, and many other boards, committees, and projects across the region and province.

Yvonne Chenier is a lawyer and philanthropy consultant – and co-founder of IntegralOrg. She brings more than 35 years of experience helping those in the philanthropic, nonprofit, and social enterprise sectors as general legal counsel and as an advisor on planning, organizational, regulatory and governance matters. Yvonne is an active member of the executive of the Charities and Nonprofit Section of the Canadian Bar Association and is past Chair of both the Alberta and National Sections. She is named in The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory* for excellence in Charity Law and has been selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in Canada for her work in Charities/Nonprofit Law.

Daniela Galindo is passionate about positive change in community and dedicating her work to organizations with purpose, ones that serve as catalysts for connection and innovation. She has over ten years of valuable work experience in settlement and immigration program development, higher education, and the charitable sector and has facilitated over 60 meetings and workshops. In her free time, Daniela can be found trying new recipes, volunteering actively in her community, and on adventures with her dog, Paco.

Craig McCarthy is a Learning Experience Designer at the Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation (CTLI) at Lethbridge Polytechnic. Craig works with instructors, design teams, and other stakeholders to create academic courses, micro-credentials, learning experiences, and more. He is currently working on his MEd in Curriculum and Assessment at the University of Lethbridge and has been a teacher at primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels. His professional interests include curriculum development, alternative education systems, artificial intelligence, educational philosophy, and complexity theory.

Amanda oversees all aspects of Volunteer Lethbridge, from community development to connecting and supporting volunteers and non-profits. Her devotion for bringing people together inspires every aspect of her work, and her wish is for everyone who connects with Volunteer Lethbridge to have the greatest experience possible. For the majority of her career, Amanda has worked in the non-profit sector, including, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, Community Futures, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Amanda holds an M.A. from the University of Guelph in Leadership, as well as a Business Management Degree from the University of Lethbridge. She is currently an instructor in the non-profit Management Program at Mount Royal University.

Jaci Zalesak is the Executive Director of the United Way Lethbridge & South Western Alberta. With a background in business development, Jaci brings extensive experience from both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Her passion for the non-profit world has guided her to the United Way and numerous volunteer roles, including with Volunteer Lethbridge, Skate Canada AB/NWT/NU, YWCA Lethbridge & District, and more. Jaci has collaborated on various projects that have significantly contributed to raising the profile of Lethbridge & South Western Alberta. She believes that individuals and businesses play a crucial role in supporting communities and that any form of giving back can make a meaningful difference.

Matt Pitcher works as the Housing Solutions Coordinator in the Community Social Development Department of the City of Lethbridge. Having grown up in and completed his B.MGT in Lethbridge, he is passionate about the wellbeing of the City and its residents. Within his roles at the City of Lethbridge, Matt has been actively engaged in the awarding and management of federal, provincial, and municipal grant funding for social services, and has worked closely with agencies to improve program performance and processes. As Housing Solutions Coordinator, he allocates capital funding for Housing and other projects, while working to improve internal systems to facilitate community growth. In his spare time, he enjoys trying to keep up with his two daughters, hiking, and golfing.

Jennie has worked for the City of Lethbridge for over 15 years, settling in the Recreation & Culture Department for the past decade. Before becoming the Partnership Strategist for the Recreation & Culture Department Jennie’s role was the Software Administrator, specializing in the configuration and ongoing maintenance of the City’s Recreation Management Software and relevant applications. Jennie has substantial experience in the project management, procurement, and implementation of software with both large and small corporations including municipalities, government institutions and non-profit organizations. She brings a wealth of knowledge, from multiple viewpoints, on the use of software platforms and how they may benefit your organization.

Tanya Whipple is the Communication Manager at the Lethbridge Sport Council, working closely with the staff to plan and promote a variety of programs and events. She also works with local sport organizations on strategic planning and promotional initiatives. With two decades of experience serving on and working with nonprofit boards of directors, Tanya brings much knowledge and expertise to the table. A technology enthusiast, Tanya is always on the lookout for ways to enhance efficiency and streamline processes through the use of new programs and software.

Lane is the founder of local marketing firm London Road Marketing and has worked with hundreds of organizations, from small family businesses to multi-billion-dollar global brands. He's a Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce Top 40 Under 40 and a community volunteer himself, currently sitting on the Tourism Lethbridge board.

Tevi Legge is a dedicated entrepreneur, podcaster, and burnout coach who has transformed personal adversity into a mission to help others. Having endured and overcome the challenges of clinical burnout, Tevi combines firsthand experience with professional insight to guide individuals through their own journeys of recovery and resilience. With a compassionate approach and a wealth of practical strategies, Tevi empowers clients to reclaim their well-being and thrive in both personal and professional realms.

Kristin Bond is a Learning Experience Designer at the Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation (CTLI) at Lethbridge Polytechnic. Kristin works with instructors, design teams, and external partners to create academic and non-academic learning experiences, as well as professional learning opportunities for instructors. Kristin is currently working on her EdD in Transformative Leadership at the University of British Columbia. She was a high school teacher for 15 years, teaching in China, the UAE, and Brunei. Her professional interests include curriculum development, Generative AI, and positionality.

With 30 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, Joyanne brings knowledge & experience to Fund Development departments and nonprofit boards, primarily focusing on post-secondary education and community development.

While at Lethbridge College, Joyanne successfully led the largest comprehensive capital campaign in its history. Prior to her role at Lethbridge College, she held development roles at the University of Lethbridge, Olds College, and the Foothills Foundation. She started her fund development career by spearheading the ‘Happy Trail’ system in High River through her role as Parks Committee, Chair

Joyanne is an alumnus of Red Deer Polytechnic, was a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) from 2000 – 2023 and has taught Fundamentals of Fundraising for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) while also serving on AFP’s Board for 23 years. She is currently serving as a Board Member for the United Way of Lethbridge and South Western Alberta.

Born and raised in Saint Lucia, West Indies, Martha Mathurin-Moe holds a BA degree from the Universidad Central de Las Villas, Cuba; a Master of Education in Educational Psychology from the University of Regina and is a doctoral candidate in Curriculum and Instruction. Martha's experience consists of Banking and Finance, Human Resources Development, and International Education. Martha’s work in international education, spanning several countries, has given her a unique global perspective that she brings to her work. She is a skilled facilitator and values-based leader who advocates for equitable and inclusive workplaces for all. She is very keen on developing learning opportunities that create an environment where all students no matter race, gender/gender expression, neurodiversity or ethnic background feel represented in their learning space. During her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling with her partner Jared.

Matt Leung is a Professional Child who has spent over 15 years working with children and youth in the recreation and education sectors. He has facilitated trainings and workshops across Canada and the United States and he played a key role in the planning and implementation of the 2017 International Play Association conference hosted in Calgary, Canada. He is an expert at instigating play for all ages, has appeared on various media networks, and was recently featured in the newly published book, 'The Playful Life'. Matt studied Global Leadership at Royal Roads University, where he focused on the impact of play and positivity in organizational culture. He is the Program Manager of Communities ChooseWell, a health promotion and community development program operated by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association. He is also a former college football player, a podcaster, and sits on the Board of Directors for Outdoor Play Canada.

Mandy has spent 20 years in leadership, starting off her career as a non-profit Executive Director, and later as the past co-owner of a successful and award-winning Southern Alberta business. Mandy completed her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology in 2021 and is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), as well as a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) Candidate. Mandy created Collaborative Strategies with the goal of providing organizations with external, solution-focused, partnership support while combining high-level business strategy design. Looking to her own leadership and entrepreneurial experiences in a variety of corporate, non-profit, and volunteer capacities, Mandy recognized that at times, business leadership can be lonely and that everyone can use an ally.

Lyndsay Montina (she/her) holds a BMgt from the University of Lethbridge and a MA in Leadership from Royal Roads University. Lyndsay LOVES bringing joy-filled strategic engagement processes to organizations, helping teams create clarity and excitement for their organizations' futures, and getting nerdy for personal leadership – especially for women. She is known for using innovative problem-solving approaches to uncover root causes and develop unique solutions. Her combination of academic background and community leadership has earned her international recognition for her contributions to engagement. In addition to serving as the Mayor of Coalhurst, Lyndsay is a skilled University Instructor with expertise in diverse delivery and engagement methods.

Dave Lawson has been in the field of disability services for more than 40 years. He was part of the Community Living movement beginning in the late 70s and was part of establishing the South Region Self Advocacy Network in the 90s. For the last 18 years Dave has pursued his passion for individual planning and developing family leadership as the Executive Director of Inclusion Lethbridge.

Kendal is the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategist at Lethbridge Polytechnic. She is passionate about reducing barriers and fostering a culture of inclusion for students, staff and faculty that’s grounded in systems thinking and compassion. She holds a Bachelor of Management degree in Human Resources and Labour Relations from the University of Lethbridge, is a CPHR candidate, and a certified PROSCI Change Management Practitioner. She has nearly a decade of experience working in the human resources field, specializing in psychological health and safety in the workplace and all things equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Jesse Amos (He/Him) is an owner and senor technician at Altis MSP, a Lethbridge based managed services provider.  He graduated from the Computer Network Technologies program with honors from Lethbridge Community College in 2003 and has worked in various areas of IT in southern Alberta ever since. As the senior technician he is responsible for creating the computer policies and procedures used for administering corporate network of numerous small and medium sized businesses, and consulting with IT departments of various organizations regarding network technologies, telephony, and various other managed services. The last five years he's has had an increasing focus on IT policies to respond to the changing security landscape in addition to the day-to-day administration of client networks.

Aidan Peacock is a Grant Technician for the Community and Social Development Department with the City of Lethbridge, a role he has held since February 2024. He is a recent graduate of the University of Lethbridge, where he earned a Bachelor of Management degree with a major in Human Resources and Labour Relations, along with a minor in Project Management (PCP). Throughout his academic journey, Aidan developed a passion for community development and social services, taking courses in public health and addiction counseling. In his current position, he manages and coordinates various grant programs, including the Fee Assistance Program and the Community Event Support Grant.

Michelle Turnbull works as a Community Grants Advisor with the Community Grants Unit of Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women at the Calgary office. She works specifically with the Community Facility Enhancement Program and Community Initiatives Program Project-Based stream, supporting the delivery of these provincial grant programs to hundreds of non-profit organizations annually.  With a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta, Michelle spent more than twenty years prior to her current role, supporting Alberta communities in a variety of positions with the Town of Olds, Red Deer College and the Alberta Sport Recreation Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

Nelson Thomas, CPA, is a Manager with MNP’s Assurance and Audit Services in Lethbridge, Alberta. With over 10 years of public practice experience, he has worked with major firms like KPMG in Vancouver and The Bahamas, specializing in industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotech, cannabis, oil, gas, mining, and hospitality. At MNP, Nelson provides audit, assurance, and advisory services to governmental organizations, not-for-profits, First Nations, municipalities, and for-profit enterprises in Southern Alberta.

He has led audits for large government entities and private organizations, focusing on emerging audit trends, risk-based standards, and complex issues. Nelson is also part of MNP’s Quality Management review group, providing training on new auditing methodologies. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, a CPA designation from the Philippines, and certifications in International Financial Reporting and Auditing from ACCA.