Prepare Her - Fall 2020 Cohort
Adora Nwofor
Adora Nwofor is a professional entertainer and educator who creates and promotes anti-racism as a freelancer. Adora has achieved success with well established stakeholders such as Shaw Cable, CJSW, CADA, City of Calgary, UofC, MRU, Capliano University and Femme Wave to name a few.
After being in Entertainment from both behind and in front of the camera, for over 10 years Adora understands how to make an impact with content, messaging and imagery to build an audience and keep them engaged. A well rounded skill set; MUA, Stylist, Writer, Producer, Editor (audio), Host, Actor, Model, Comedian, they offer clients and collaborators a point of view that creates content to captivate audiences who keep coming back for more. Adora holds an ABA (Anthropology) from Mount Royal University.
Issues: Adora is passionate about society, removing barriers for social organizations focused on empowerment, whilst dismantling anti-Black systemic racism at the municipal government level.
Alex Mesley
Alex Mesley is a User Experience (UX) Researcher for the Government of Canada studying the online experience of Canadians. Alex has achieved success in various departments within the Government, as well as with Postmedia Network and the Conservative Party of Canada.
Alex has built her career learning about people and sharing their stories. Through her time in politics, journalism, and UX research, Alex has become an expert in deciphering valuable insights from individuals. Her work enables her to conduct research on public-facing government websites to improve the content and functionality for users around the world, thus expanding access to government programs for millions of Canadians. Alex holds a MA in Human-Computer Interaction from Carleton University, where her thesis explored Canadians’ acceptance of voting technologies.
Issues: Alex is passionate about digital literacy and privacy in an era of ubiquitous Internet of Things and the diversification of Calgary’s local economy.
Amanda Weightman
Amanda is a founding partner and principal researcher at Habitus Consulting Collective. In this role she supports non-profit organizations to understand social issues, build evidence-based programs, and demonstrate impact. She has worked with local organizations as the YMCA, the Flames Foundation, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA-Calgary), the Calgary Public Library, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS), the Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth, Action Dignity, the SHARP Foundation, HIV Community Link, and AAWEAR. She is passionate about creating a more just and equitable society that celebrates and makes room for diverse contributions. Amanda actively engages in volunteerism as the current Chair of the Beltline Business Improvement Area (BIA), and formerly as the Social Director of the Cliff-Bungalow – Mission Community Association, Co-Chair of the Coalition for Equal Access to Education, Coordinator at Grow Calgary, and as an art enrichment educator in Calgary and Montreal. Amanda also supports her partner to manage a small business in the Beltline area.
Amanda’s humanistic approach combined with a critical lens on social structures and systems allows her to integrate diverse perspectives to understand complex challenges and find a pathway forward. Her background in the arts, athletics, and education allows her to bring creative thinking, leadership, and perseverance to all she does. Amanda has an MA Sociology from Concordia University in Montreal and has also studied at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB).
Angela McIntyre
Angela McIntye is a Fund Development and Marketing Coordinator for the Confederation Park 55 + Activity Centre.
After spending a decade working with Literary Events in Calgary she made the move to working with seniors and has loved every minute of it. Angela is a Director on the Board of Calgary Pride, a writer and a novice Fly Fisher. She has lived in Calgary for 41 years.
Issues: Diversity, Inclusion, urban landscape, fiscal responsibility.
Briana Stallcup
Briana Stallcup is an American immigrant and recent graduate from the University of Calgary with a degree in International Relations and Economics. Her degree, work history, and co-curricular experience in student government have solidified her passion for advocacy in the political sphere.
Briana has worked in the non-profit sector in Calgary for the past three years, and currently holds a role in Fund Development. She has consistently volunteered both on and off campus since moving to Calgary in 2014, focusing on political campaigning, sexual violence, and marginalized representation. She strongly believes that change lies in the power of implementing policies to tackle community issues, but also restructuring the internal systems of governance themselves.
Briana is fiercely passionate about addressing systemic poverty and the associated intersections of worker rights, affordable housing, as well as access to mental health services and education.
Cornelia Wiebe
Cornelia Wiebe is a small business owner in Calgary. Cornelia has collaborated with national and international brands focusing on ethical production and sustainable practices.
With 20+ years in the Retail Industry, Cornelia has successfully navigated the business landscape in Western Canada. Engaging with local communities, she learned to adapt to regional market conditions. Her continued awareness has allowed for global partnerships and consulting opportunities. Cornelia holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg.
Issues: Cornelia is committed to delivering cost effective services through efficiencies and changing language at City Hall to provide positive outcomes for all Calgarians.
Danisha Bhaloo-Shivji
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Danisha is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and works as the Development & Communications Manager with Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton. In a volunteer capacity, she is a Board Member with United Way Centraide Canada, is the Vice-Chair of the Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee for the City of Calgary, is the Co-Lead for the Women's Alliance with the Ismaili Council for Canada, and is a Board Member for the Calgary John Howard Society. In 2016, Danisha ran for Edmonton City Council in the Ward 12 by-election. Even though she wasn't elected, she came in 6th out of 34 candidates and found the experience to be rewarding. Danisha was a Board Member for the Alberta Party during the provincial election in 2019 - leading the Communications Portfolio, and founded the Party's "Leaning In" group, recognizing and supporting its' womxn volunteers across the province.
Danisha has been recognized for her contributions to the community by the Government of Alberta Stars of Alberta Award, University of Alberta Alumni Award, Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 under 40, Edmontonians' Magazine’s Sizzling 20 under 30, and Correctional Services of Canada. She currently lives in Calgary with her husband and 7 month old daughter.
Demi Laurin
Demi Laurin is a registered social worker who works as a Sexual Violence Therapist for the non-profit organization Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA). Demi is also the current team lead for CCASA’s Calgary Sexual Assault Response Team. Throughout her career, Demi has worked for a number of local organizations advocating for the prevention of gender-based violence and access to mental health services in Calgary.
After working as a social worker for more than 8 years in Calgary, Demi has experience in the fields of reproductive health, domestic violence, perinatal mental health, and sexual violence. Through her different roles, Demi has supported thousands of clients by providing trauma-informed counselling, advocacy, referrals and education. Demi holds a Master’s in Social Work with a Clinical Specialization.
Issues: Demi is passionate about gender-based violence prevention and LGBTQ+ issues, as well as improving access to mental health resources in Calgary.
Dhuha Nader
Dhuha is a first generation immigrant who spent the majority of her life in Calgary. From a young age, her passion for justice and social awareness began to shine. Watching the news with her parents motivated her to get involved and be impactful. Throughout university, she was a founding member of Women in Leadership; a club that worked to foster interdisciplinary connections for women, provide mentorship opportunities, and create a form of discussion and collaboration for women to excel in any path they wish to seek. More recently she volunteers with TEDxYYC as their alumni coordinator. During the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic she worked to facilitate “Level Up conversations”, which included past speakers delving into topics such as activism, equity, diversity & inclusion, vulnerable communities, and mental health.
Issues: Dhuha is passionate about politics, gender equity, anti-racism and advocating for gender & racially balanced governments.
Jayme Nelson
Jayme Nelson is an educator with Inside Education, where she specialises in creating and delivering hands-on programs for K-12 students and teachers across Alberta. As a passionate advocate for Alberta’s natural resources, she’s spent 14 years in the sector, previously working with the Alberta Ecotrust Foundation and the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance.
Jayme has dedicated much of her life to fostering community and collaboration. She has co-founded three start-up social enterprises, each of which focused on addressing a different facet of the impacts of climate change. Critical thinking and community-building have always been at the heart of Jayme’s work; she thrives while facilitating opportunities that allow people to consider multiple perspectives, always with the goal of reaching common ground.
Jayme has her Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Sciences from the University of Alberta.
Issues: Jayme is passionate about urban planning, infrastructure, energy efficiency, and community resilience.
Jennifer Lavier Jankovic
Jennifer Lavier Jankovic is passionate about community service and civic participation. Since Jennifer arrived in Calgary 20 years ago, she became an engaged citizen by volunteering on her community executive and planning committee, Calgary Board of Education School Council, and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown. Jennifer is a proud member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and has been empowering girls in the Sarcee Hills District for over five years.
She and her husband engage in civic discussions and encourage their two school-aged daughters to express their opinions and be a part of the discussions. The girls are both excited to be coparticipants in the Prepare Her Program.
Professionally, Jennifer has worked in Building Science, Project Management, and Business Development. She is currently the Regional Business Development Manager for Williams Engineering Canada.
Issues: Jennifer believes responsible growth and strong fiscal management need to be a priority to secure Calgary’s economic future.
Kristen Cousineau
Kristen Cousineau is an adult educator and lifelong learner who has worked in Calgary’s cultural sector for the past 11 years. Kristen’s undergrad was in Communications and her graduate work is in Cultural Resource Management. She has volunteered extensively with many community groups and worked for some of the most dynamic organizations in the city, including Telus Spark and WestJet.
Most recently Kristen taught Design Thinking and Human Centred Problem Solving to other educators, and she is passionate about using this approach in order to create a more empathetic, collaborative and united city. She has travelled extensively within Canada and beyond in her role as Cabin Crew and has had the opportunity to engage, and interact with Canadians from all walks of life. She passionately believes that all levels of government should work to improve quality of life for the public and is excited about bringing her perspective and experience to the Prepare Her YYC cohort.
Issues: Kristen is passionate about worker’s rights, environmental protections, and access to education.
Laura Nixon
Laura Nixon is a proudly born and raised Calgarian working in energy regulation with a Masters in Environmental Design. Laura has dedicated over 15 years to public service, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to tackle complex and pressing issues in Alberta. As a positivity-focussed organizational leader, she is passionate about building teams and coalitions, working in the public interest, navigating change, and supporting science- and evidence-based decision making.
Laura believes that we all have contributions to make that can help our communities become stronger, healthier and happier places to be. As a result, Laura has contributed in a variety of volunteer roles over the years, including the City of Calgary BiodiverCity Advisory Committee, board roles with the UCalgary rowing club and Calgary’s Swallow-A-Bicycle Theater, and Chair and committee roles for her workplace province-wide United Way campaigns.
Issues: Laura’s interests include environmental protection, responsible governance, and working toward a city where no one is left behind.
Linda Luu
Linda Luu is a strategic and thoughtful leader with 15 years of marketing experience. Currently, she is the Associate Director of Marketing at Haskayne School of Business, at the University of Calgary. Previous to that, Linda worked in Toronto, Malaysia and Singapore with companies including Heinz, BBDO, McDonald’s and Dyson. Linda has a proven reputation for brand building, leading high performance teams and delivering ambitious results. Innately curious and a life-long learner, Linda is passionate about her involvement with TEDxYYC. She also recently joined the City of Calgary Advisory Group for Tomorrow’s Chinatown. During her free time, Linda rock climbs and practices yoga.
Issues: Linda is passionate about social equity, improving affordable housing and enhancing low income neighbourhoods, building a sense of community, and protecting our climate.
Marta Ligocki
Marta Ligocki is a passionate arts champion and community builder. Building strong, open, and reciprocal relationships is at the heart of her practice as an arts administrator. With over 7 years experience in nonprofit administration, she has worked with organizations like CJSW 90.9 FM, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Quickdraw Animation Society. She is also a founding board member of the Beltline Neighbourhoods Association and Femme Wave Feminist Arts Festival. She graduated from the University of Victoria in 2013 and completed the Rozsa Arts Management Program in 2015.
A lifelong Calgarian, Marta believes that a strong arts sector is vital for a vibrant, world-class city. She also believes in the power of community associations to bring meaningful change to neighbourhoods through grassroots engagement at City Hall. She is a Grant Specialist for Arts Organizations at Calgary Arts Development and hosts a weekly morning program on CJSW.
Issues: Arts advocacy, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, affordable transit
Mayada Naguib
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Mayada has been an Interior Designer for over twenty-five years both in Canada and in the Middle East. The housing market in Calgary attracted her to establish a home builder company. She achieved success in this field because of her combined experience of design and construction. Her ambitious and active nature enabled her to explore other careers.
She obtained a Diploma of Business Administration, majoring in Event Management from Bow Valley College in 2020. As soon as she started college in 2018, she worked on organizing an event which lead her to be the founder of Darling Leaf: A symbolic brand designing and manufacturing unique furniture, wall art, and home accessories.
Issues: Mayada understands the responsibilities of being a public figure and working in the field of service. She is passionate about promoting equality among Calgarians and opening a channel of communication, where humanity can be united through differences. She will advocate for better affordable housing, especially for single parents.
Meghana Valupadas
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Meghana Valupadas (she/her) is a Civil Engineer who graduated from the University of Alberta. She is a founding member and the former Vice-Chair of the Women's Advocacy Voice Committee of Edmonton, a current member of the Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee of Calgary, the Chair of the 2020 Women in Engineering Summit, and the Co-Creator of Diversity in Engineering, an organization that supports traditionally underrepresented groups in Engineering at the University of Alberta. Meghana also represents Western Canada as a See It Be It STEM Role Model with Linamar Corporation and has won multiple awards and accolades for her work in equity, diversity, and inclusion. Meghana currently works as a Project Engineer with the Calgary Parking Authority. She also works part-time as a children's entertainer, performing roles like Princess Jasmine and Moana at various events and fundraisers.
Issues: Meghana is passionate about increasing diversity in the STEM fields and promoting and integrating principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in governance and leadership.
Olga Barcelo
Olga Barceló is a Public Relations student at Mount Royal University who has vast experience working on campus. Olga has achieved success by being appointed to the Students’ Association’s Vice President Academic’s Advisory Committee, having been elected to her Students’ Association Board of Governors, being appointed to the Mount Royal University’s Student Community Standards Office, to name a few.
After spending several years in post-secondary advocacy, Olga understands what issues students are facing and how important it is to listen to marginalized students in Calgary. She utilizes an intersectional feminist approach to her work and makes sure every voice is listened to. Olga utilizes her perspective as a Latina woman to engage people on privilege, and is working towards creating a society dedicated to supporting immigrants and refugees. Olga holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Mount Royal University, and is working towards her second degree, a Bachelor of Communications in Public Relations from Mount Royal University.
Issues: Olga is passionate about immigration policy, government responsibility, and reconciliation with our Indigenous nations.
Rachel Swendseid
Rachel Swendseid is a lifelong resident of Okotoks and in 2015, co-founded an Okotoks non-profit which provides Foothills families facing hardships with free essential baby items. She has worked across the province of Alberta in the field of land reclamation before transitioning into a career as a natural resources educator for an Alberta non-profit. After working in the natural resource and education sector for more than 10 years, Rachel understands the value and importance of having robust, consultative discussions when exploring complex issues.
She is a mom of two young children and volunteers with Foothills Community Immigrant Services. Rachel holds a B.Sc in Environmental Conservation with a major in Land Reclamation from the University of Alberta.
Issues: Rachel is passionate about water conservation and scarcity issues, building resilient communities and ensuring equitable access to services.
Sarah Ferguson
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Sarah Ferguson was born and raised in Calgary. She has experienced the highs and lows the City has gone through while witnessing the extraordinary changes that have happened in her life time. Her service on the Mckenzie Towne Community Association board for four years; the last two as President, has given her the first-hand experience that enables her to analyze and take action on the many issues that affect the residents of McKenzie Towne and surrounding areas.
As a Calgarian, Sarah has spent many years working for local businesses of all sizes, including running her own childcare service. She understands the demands and needs of entrepreneurs and Calgary’s busy families.
Issues: Sarah is passionate about improving the lives of all Calgarians. By being fiscally-minded, she aims to prioritize where funding is needed to meet the needs of citizens, especially families and local businesses.
Sarah Rude
Sarah Rude is a higher education professional whose work focuses on student transition and retention at Mount Royal University. She takes a highly collaborative approach to her role, working with staff and faculty across departments to support at-risk students. Sarah is an engaged community member at Mount Royal, serving on varying committees and the Board of Governors.
Passionate about community involvement, Sarah has also held a variety of volunteer roles, most recently with the City of Calgary and the Terry Fox Foundation. Her personal experiences, and her work with university students has led to her desire to advocate for mental health; she is trained to facilitate workshops from the Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Centre for Suicide Prevention.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary and a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from Royal Roads University.
Issues: Government transparency, the accessibility of higher education, and reducing stigma surrounding mental health concerns and illnesses.
Sharon Ruyter
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Sharon Ruyter is a communications professional who creates content for CPA Alberta’s external audiences. On any given day, you can find her interviewing CPAs in Alberta for the organization’s magazines, writing social media content or brainstorming the organization’s next digital campaign.
Sharon began her professional career working in the nonprofit sector for six years working in roles that gave her experience in volunteer management, program design, event management and training delivery. She’s been involved in a variety of extracurricular activities such as hosting a local politics podcast, being a sporadic guest columnist on CBC Radio Edmonton and volunteering for roles in areas ranging from advocating for diversity and inclusion in the craft beer industry to being a community liaison for Edmonton’s supervised consumption sites. Sharon holds a Political Science degree from the University of Alberta and a Public Relations Diploma from the University of Victoria.
Issues: Sharon is passionate about equity and inclusion for racialized people and improving affordable housing and access to resources for unhoused folks.
Susan Cress
Susan Cress is a skilled non-profit executive with a passion for driving change and creating social innovation. Over her extensive career Susan has worked with many non-profits to help them transform their business models and increase their community impact. As a top 40 under 40 recipient, Susan led an international human rights conference on LGBT inclusion. Susan currently works as the Executive Director of Calgary Minor Soccer Association serving over 30,000 youth and volunteers. Known for her sharp wit and sense of humor she enjoys working with a broad range of stakeholders to address community problems and challenges and create a more inclusive and vibrant city.
Issues: Enhancing our education system, Mental health and addition, social inclusion and increasing the number of sport and sport and recreation Opportunities and facilities in Calgary.
Tammy Plunkett
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Tammy Plunkett is a mother, an author, an entrepreneur, and an advocate. She left her career as a critical care registered nurse to stay home and raise four children while returning to her first love—writing. She spent a few years working solely in fiction then switched gears to non-fiction while she practiced as a certified professional life coach and writing coach.
Since her third child came out as transgender, Tammy focuses her work on helping parents of transgender kids. She is on the board of directors of Airdrie Pride and runs a monthly Parenting with Pride peer support group. She continues to return to her love of writing and coaching and works part-time in the communications department of a non-profit.
Issues: Tammy is passionate about improving healthcare access for women, LGBTQ2S+, and other marginalized populations, better access to mental health, and enhancing the everyday lives of Airdrie families.
Tyra Erskine
Tyra Erskine is an anti-racism facilitator and grassroots community organizer who creates and organizes spaces for community to come together and discuss important issues. Tyra has worked with ActionDignity, the CommunityWise Resource Centre, and has facilitated Anti-Racism Trainings for the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies, the 3.7% Initiative, SAIT, and others.
Tyra is a community organizer and program developer who understands the ways to incorporate anti-racism into all levels of government. She utilizes an intersectional lens at all levels of engagement to ensure that processes are as equitable as possible. Tyra holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Calgary.
Issues: Tyra is passionate about anti-racism, community building, and finding creative solutions to institutional problems."