Speakers

Keynotes

Kate Davis


Kate Davis has the unique ability to find humour in any situation and offers creative solutions to defuse frustrations in both the workplace and at home. A hit comedian, who has opened for the likes of Seth Meyers, Bill Clinton, and Barbara Walters, Davis’ generous insight and hilarious presence is a powerful combination that helps organizations empower their staff with effective tools for managing stress and sustaining motivation.

Theatrically trained in England, Davis went from a successful run on the Canadian stage to the many stages of motherhood before she found her passion for comedy. Today, she is a 12-time Canadian Comedy Awards nominee, including a nomination for the prestigious Phil Hartman Award, and the star of her own hour-long comedy special on CTV and the Comedy Network. In addition, Davis has appeared on Breakfast Television, Star TV, Toronto 1, Prime, WTN, TVO, and CBC Radio's The Debaters.

As a writer, Davis has been published in Today’s Parent and Mom and Caregiver magazines. She is also the author of two books, The Breastfeeding Diaries, which won the iParenting media award, and Second Best Mom: Stories, Tips, and Okay Advice.


Cheryl Bernard

CANADIAN OLYMPIC CURLER – Two-time Olympian | 2010 Olympic Silver Medalist


At the age of 23, Cheryl Bernard started an insurance brokerage and propelled the agency to a multi- million dollar brokerage in just eleven years. At the age of 43, she helped Canada win a silver medal in curling at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.

“Follow your dreams, they know the way. Let your own story come out. Dare to be your best. Reach beyond your grasp, and surround yourself with people who believe you can, and know that you hold the pen when it comes to writing your own life story.

Cheryl is currently the CEO at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the co-chair for the 2024 Special Olympic Winter Games to be held in Calgary. She believes that her success in sport provided a platform to give back. She was a curling broadcaster with TSN from 2014 to 2022, is a board member of Tourism Calgary, an Ambassador for Goodwill of Alberta, Champion Ambassador of Special Olympics Canada and Co-Chair of the 2024 Calgary Special Olympic Winter Games.

Cheryl is passionate about inspiring others to reach their goals and will draw from both her
business and sport experiences to motivate each of us to achieve greatness in everything we do.

Master of Ceremonies


Fred Keating

Master-of-Ceremonies

Like a rather heavyset swallow returning to Capistrano each spring, MC Fred Keating migrates each fall to the Fantasyland Mall to join the FCSSAA community. While the search for a professional MC continues, we’ll give Fred another chance to get it right in 2023.
(Keep your fingers crossed!)

Session Speakers

Click on speakers name to view bios


Jenn Anderson
Preventative Community Services Division
Assistant Deputy Minister

Elder Bert Auger
Auger Cree Consulting

Sue Bornn
Town of Blackfalds
Blackfalds FCSS Manager

Shannon Boyce-Campbell
Ponoka FCSS
Executive Director

Jamie Cadzow
Government of Alberta
Director of AISH, North Zone

Sarah Carr
Government of Alberta
Executive Director, Employment and Financial Services, North Zone Branch

Jane Chow
Government of Alberta
Director of Income Support, North Zone

Sharida Csillag
Town of Stony Plain
Community Development Officer

Stephanie Dewald
BGC Olds and Area
Youth and Community Outreach Coordinator

Heather Dixon
Town of Olds
Community Development - Supervisor

Carley Dolan
Wetaskiwin FCSS
Managing Director

Cynthia Farmer
Seniors, Community and Services
Deputy Minister

Tara Gilchrist
Town of Canmore FCSS
FCSS Supervisor

Misty Griffith
Rimbey FCSS
Operations Manager

Lisa Hannaford
MD of Greenview-FCSS
Manager, FCSS

April Harrison
Town of Drumheller
Manager, Community Development & Social Planning

Lynne Jenkinson
Flagstaff Family and Community Services
ED

Jason Klinck
City of Red Deer
Jason.Klinck@reddeer.ca

Dale Loutit
City of Red Deer
Community Facilitator

Tuval Nafshi
City of St Albert FCSS
Prevention Coordinator

Cheryl Naundorf
Government of Alberta
Executive Director, Civil Society and Community Initiatives Branch

Minister Jason Nixon
Government of Alberta
Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services

Shantel Ottenbreit Ottenbreit
City of Medicine Hat
Community Resource Worker

Courtney Rippin Kaufman
Government of Alberta
Director, Community Preventive Initiatives

Toby Schneider
Employment and Financial Supports
Assistant Deputy Minister

Sydney Sheloff
Edmonton Social Planning Council
Strategic Research Coordinator

Judy Smith
City of Edmonton
Director, Community Resouces , City of Edmonton

Nora Smith
City of Red Deer
Community Facilitator

Brenda Soderberg
Rimbey Community Home Help Services
Health Care Programs Coordinator