Gen Next

Alice Lam

Alice Lam is a local entrepreneur who is paying attention. She is innovative and has embraced opportunities to meet basic needs and fill the gaps created by the COVID-19 pandemic. With a desire to help others experiencing hard times and isolation due to the pandemic, Alice has founded numerous initiatives, one of which was making over 1,500 face masks which were then delivered to 65 agencies across Calgary. Calgary Community Fridge, where in just three days, $15,000 was raised to provide food 24 hours a day for those in need. 1,000 bouquets were built by volunteers and delivered to seniors and health care workers experiencing isolation. In 2021, Calgary’s first Pay-What-You-Can Market was created. Using a donated, vacant downtown space, over 200 clients a day came and got what they needed, anything from food to clothes to plants. A youth employment skills training program, job training for immigrant women, makeovers for immigrant women leaving domestic violence, the list goes on.

All of the projects led by Alice are non-profit and community driven, and are both viable and sustainable. It’s about connections, not silos.

Jordan Guildford

Jordan’s passion for community goes beyond her desire to be a good citizen of Calgary. She has made it her mission to tackle to social issues that Calgary experiences on a daily basis. Jordan’s Gems for Gems foundation offers a variety of initiatives that offer solutions to pressing social issues within our community. The most recent, Hope’s Cradle, offers a safe surrender location for mothers to place their babies in. This initiative gives women who feel there is no alternative, a safe, anonymous place to surrender their babies knowing those babies will survive and live life. Other initiatives Gems for Gems stewards, include: THRIVE, which offers financial literacy, opportunities for resilience, psychological coping skills, and preventative self defense; a scholarship program to trade schools; and, an Ambassador program, which demonstrates that activated people can find commitment to create change to the lives of people in need.

Jordan is the chair of United Way of Calgary and Area’s Ambassador Program, which is comprised of passionate and influential people committed to strengthening Calgary and area—the place we live, work, and raise our families.