The NEXT Program

Kaylie is a passionate advocate in the non-profit world, dedicated to improving outcomes for vulnerable pregnant and parenting individuals and their children. As a single working mom, she understands the challenges of parenthood firsthand, which has fuelled her commitment to ensuring all parents have access to the support, resources, and education they need to thrive. She believes strong communities are built through compassion, connection, and shared responsibility, and she is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in her corner of the world.

While newer to formal leadership roles, she brings a deep sense of empathy, creativity, and a natural ability to bring people together. Kaylie values creating spaces where both seriousness and silliness can coexist, recognizing that genuine connection occurs by simply showing up for others.

Outside of work and motherhood, she finds joy in writing (questionably bad) poetry, experimenting with watercolours, getting lost in a good book, and crying in awe at sunsets.

Astrid Cunanan is a passionate communications professional who is dedicated to creating meaningful impact in Calgary’s non-profit sector. Born in Manila, Philippines, Astrid immigrated to Canada with her family at the age of seven, an experience that ignited her deep appreciation for community and belonging. She holds a degree in Journalism with a minor in Marketing from Mount Royal University and has built her career working with organizations such as Vecova, Inn from the Cold, and Canadian Mental Health Association Calgary. In her current role as the Storytelling and Social Media Lead at CMHA Calgary, Astrid combines her creativity and passion for mental health advocacy to craft compelling stories that engage and inspire diverse communities.

Astrid believes that supporting the community is essential for creating spaces where everyone can thrive. Having experienced firsthand, the impact of community support, she understands the importance of providing resources, opportunities, and a sense of belonging, especially for marginalized communities. To Astrid, community is more than just a place, it’s a powerful support system that helps individuals reach their full potential.

Claire is currently an Investment Banking Analyst at TD Securities, where she focuses on executing client requests and looks forward to growing into more client-facing responsibilities. Claire earned a Finance degree from the University of Alberta, where she was actively involved in leadership and extracurricular activities. She served as Vice President of the FentaNIL Project, a student-led initiative raising awareness about harm reduction and the drug poisoning crisis. This role allowed her to engage with the student body and volunteer with local organizations, strengthening her connection to a cause she’s passionate about.

She was also part of PRIME, the university’s competitive student-managed investment fund, where she worked alongside a small cohort to manage a portion of the endowment. As the only woman in her year, she helped lead a successful Women in Finance event, reinforcing her belief in the importance of diversity and inclusion in the industry.

Gabriela is a dynamic leader working at the intersection of government, community and the private sector. She believes that public policy can be a catalyst for innovation and economic growth while also helping everyone reach their full potential. Gabriela currently leads Alberta Government Affairs at TELUS, where she works with government, industry and other stakeholders to advance better connectivity and social outcomes.

She is a dedicated community leader and currently serves as the Board Chair at Discovery House Family Violence Prevention Society and as a Board Director at Momentum Calgary. She also volunteers with the Calgary Public Library Foundation and the Lougheed House Conservation Society. Gabriela is trilingual and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from York University. She likes to spend her spare time in the mountains with her young family.

Justin Gregoire is a Senior Emissions Reduction Engineer at ARC Resources Ltd., an energy company based in Calgary. With many in our city facing significant economic and social challenges, Justin believes that those in the fortunate position to give back should do so. As Calgarians, it is our responsibility to support those in our city who need it most and to find ways to make a meaningful difference. Heavily involved in ARC’s giving efforts and a key member of ARC’s planning committee for the company’s annual United Way campaign, Justin is committed to making a difference and is always looking for ways to lend a helping hand.

Lauryn recently completed a four-year degree in Fine Arts at the University of Victoria. She is currently working in events and is thoroughly enjoying the experience. Passionate about theatre, Lauryn aspires to pursue a career in acting. She has taught at a theatre summer camp, directed class productions, and taken on leadership roles in planning and leading events for head office employees.

Lauryn believes that in today’s world, it is more important than ever to support one’s community and to advocate not only for personal success but for the success of others. She believes everyone deserves a fair shot in life, and that by supporting one another, we can build stronger, more vibrant communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and enjoy life.

Dylan Howe is a seasoned sports executive with over a decade of experience in professional sports and media. His basketball journey began with the Niagara River Lions of the NBLC, before helping launch the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) in 2018. He led business operations for the Guelph Nighthawks, later managing the team’s relocation and rebrand, before moving to Calgary to launch the Calgary Surge.

As Senior Vice President of the Surge, Dylan oversees ticketing, marketing, basketball operations, and community partnerships, with a focus on building a team that reflects the energy and diversity of Calgary. He leads contributes to programs like Surge Assist, which provides tickets to underserved youth through Kids Up Front, and the Free to Play program, offering accessible basketball training for local kids.

Dylan believes that supporting the community is a core part of building something meaningful. Whether it’s creating access to sport or collaborating with partners like United Way, he sees community impact as central to the work he does.

Morgan was born and raised in Regina, SK, and has made her home in Calgary for the past 25 years. She has a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Marketing, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She recently took on a new role of Team Lead – Communications & Community Investment in the energy sector.

Morgan likes to donate her time and has volunteered with The GRAND Theatre for the past five years and recently joined their Board. She enjoys the arts, thrifting, and day-tripping around Alberta with her husband and pup. Morgan has discovered that showing up for each other is the greatest gift we can give (and receive). She believes that extending a helping hand to those in need can fundamentally change their lives and also sets off a chain reaction of kindness that contributes to a more compassionate, resilient community.

With over 8 years of experience in community project management, Gursimran is committed to grassroot capacity building and decolonizing the narrative around racialized communities. As the Project Coordinator for Youth WEAVE at ActionDignity, Gursimran works to bring about transformational systems change in racialized youth mental health through policy advocacy, addressing racial trauma, mitigating cultural dissonance and challenging the stigma.

Gursimran has led initiatives in socio-economic empowerment, women’s entrepreneurship, climate adaptability, immigrant integration, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in India and Canada. A university gold medalist, she is passionate about leveraging intersectionality to create inclusive spaces where marginalized communities thrive and drive the policies that shape their lives.

Matthew Keller is a mineral land manager at a junior oil and gas company and has a strong commitment to giving back to his community. Matthew grew up as a competitive athlete and believes the sense of community, direction, and belonging that sport provided him helped shape who he is today. He is passionate about helping create communities for people who may not have the same opportunities and access he did.

He learned how impactful this can be during the seven years he spent as a coach for the Calgary Dolphins, a non-profit swim team for children and young adults with Down syndrome. Here he saw the immediate impact of giving back and how people with different life circumstances can thrive when given the right opportunities.

When Matthew isn’t working or volunteering, he enjoys running, climbing, skiing, and anything that helps him connect with the outdoors.

Amy is a mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Calgary and has spent the past decade building her career at Enbridge. Over the years, she has held a range of technical and business roles, gaining diverse experience across the organization. In 2022, she completed her MBA, focusing on leadership development and expanding her perspective beyond engineering and the energy sector.

Her commitment to leadership began early, with a strong emphasis on mentoring junior employees. Two years ago, she transitioned into a formal leadership role and now leads a technical team of seven, fostering growth, collaboration, and performance.

Amy’s passion for community involvement has been a consistent thread throughout her career. In university, she helped build campus community through club engagement, and for the past eight years, she has volunteered with the Canadian Ski Patrol, combining her love for the outdoors with meaningful service. At Enbridge, she has contributed to both the United Way committee and an employee resource group supporting women in engineering and science—roles that reflect her dedication to creating a supportive workplace and giving back to the wider community.

Brett is an Associate Geologist at TD Securities, where he supports M&A mandates in Calgary’s energy sector. He holds a Master of Science in Petroleum Geosciences and an MBA in Finance. Brett began his career at Husky Energy in 2015, then moved to Cenovus Energy following the Husky-Cenovus merger, then joined TD Securities in 2023, where he continues to develop a multidisciplinary approach to tackling challenges in both geology and business strategy.

Brett believes in the importance of supporting his community and giving back to create positive change. He regularly participates in fundraising and volunteer efforts with organizations like the United Way, seeing community engagement as a vital part of effective leadership.

When not working, Brett enjoys the outdoors, sports, and spending time with family and friends.

Alyshia is the Senior Advisor of Community Engagement at Pembina Pipeline Corporation, where she is directly responsible for the strategic investment of Pembina’s funds in partnership with leading local, provincial, and national community organizations.

With over 15 years of experience in community and stakeholder engagement across the energy sector, Alyshia is a seasoned community investment professional. In her three years at Pembina, she has played a key role in advancing and refining the company’s community investment program. She is deeply committed to a vision of Pembina making transformational investments in organizations that are highly aligned with its strategic priorities.

Under Alyshia’s leadership, Pembina has shifted its focus from activity to impact. She builds trust with both internal and external partners through a thoughtful, listening-first approach, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering meaningful collaboration.

Alyshia is personally invested in the success of Pembina’s partnerships and is especially passionate about the role community investment can play in strengthening Indigenous and Tribal communities. She has championed a reconciliation- and inclusion-focused lens in evaluating all community investment opportunities.

Ben has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Mount Royal University and has been with the Distress Centre for over 4 years. Initially, Ben started as a practicum student with during his undergraduate degree and has progressed into a Crisis and Navigation Team Lead position throughout his time with Distress Centre. During his time in this role, he has directly supervised roughly 15 staff members, providing supervision and mentorship, fostering growth, and ensuring a high quality of service is being delivered to our community.

Additionally, within his role as a Team Lead, Ben is actively a member of several different working groups which focus on driving organizational improvements to affect positive change within the community. Ben believes supporting community is a crucial role in fostering equity and empowering marginalized groups and a critical factor in crisis prevention.

Tashia is a Financial Planner at RBC and has a passion for making a difference in the lives of others. She went to the University of Lethbridge where she attained two Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Sciences and Finance. Whether through her professional work, volunteering, or simply being a supportive presence, Tashia believes in the power of community. As a born and raised Calgarian, she believes that supporting the community is essential because it strengthens connections, fosters a sense of belonging, and ensures that everyone should have the opportunity to thrive. Tashia believes that by uplifting those around us, we create a ripple effect that leads to a more compassionate and resilient society.

In her free time Tashia volunteers with newcomer families, enjoys going to the mountains and building Lego with her husband, and hanging out with her dog!

Lindsay began her corporate career straight out of high school at Graham Construction, working as an Administrator. Before long, she advanced to the role of Labour Advisor for Southern Alberta, where she developed strong leadership skills in her early twenties while managing 300 hourly staff in a fast-paced construction environment.

In 2020, Lindsay joined Fluor, working on the LNG Canada project in Craft Payroll. After taking two maternity leaves, she returned full time with a renewed focus on building her career. Fluor offered her the opportunity to join Fluor Cares, the company’s fundraising and volunteer committee. She has now been an active team member for two years and is excited to continue strengthening community connections—especially through partnerships with organizations like United Way that are making the world a better place.

Supporting the community has also been important to Lindsay. Since she was little she has been very involved in all community events. She started out with simple things like river clean ups and volunteering whenever the opportunities arise. Working with larger companies and being able to really dive in and help the communities has only made her want to do more to support, volunteer and fundraise whenever possible!

Cody graduated from the University of Alberta in 2015 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career in the Middle East’s energy industry and went on to work across Canada, the United States, and the Middle East again during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In late 2021, a dream opportunity with Canadian Natural brought him and his family back to Canada.

Since joining Canadian Natural, Cody has taken on several leadership roles in volunteer and extracurricular initiatives. Since 2022, he has served as Co-Chair of Canadian Natural’s Calgary Corporate Challenge organizing committee, revitalizing the program and building strong partnerships with 9–10 Calgary-based charities. His efforts have created meaningful volunteer and team-building opportunities for employees.

He also serves as the Veterans Lead for Canadian Natural’s Adopt-A-Family campaign, coordinating annual Christmas gift packages for 5–6 veteran families in need across Calgary and surrounding areas.

Samara is a dynamic Marketing and Events professional with five years of experience in the corporate space. She began her career in sales, where she honed her communication and relationship-building skills before transitioning into events, sponsorships, and now marketing. This diverse background has helped her develop a strategic mindset while staying deeply involved in creating meaningful brand experiences.

Passionate about building connections and fostering community engagement, Samara believes in the power of shared experiences to drive meaningful change. She specializes in crafting inclusive and engaging spaces that bring people together, whether through internal initiatives or public-facing events. As a collaborative leader, she has taken the lead on market research initiatives and oversees both internal and external company events, ensuring seamless execution and lasting impact.

Community involvement is core to who she is. Samara actively seeks opportunities to give back, including volunteering and serving as a member of the United Way Committee. While still early in her career, she embraces leadership opportunities and thrives in environments where collaboration and creativity flourish.

Outside of work, you’ll find her on the golf course, staying active, or spending quality time with her furry friend, friends, and family.

Volunteerism has been the compass guiding every significant chapter of her life. It’s through giving back that she discovered who she is, gained perspective on the world around her, and experienced the most transformative moments in her personal and professional journey. At the heart of it all, she uncovered her core values: leadership and kindness.

She is driven by the opportunity to support, develop, and empower others—especially during major life transitions. Whether in her role as a GIS Analyst or as a Student Coordinator, she leads with integrity, compassion, and a genuine desire to help people move forward with confidence. To her, leadership is most meaningful when it’s rooted in kindness and focused on positive impact.

With over 20 years of professional experience in the social impact sector, Danisha has delivered successful outcomes in service delivery, public relations, communications, volunteer recruitment and fund development. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and works at United Way of Calgary and Area as the Manager of Engagement and Affinity Groups.

She currently holds leadership roles as a Board Member for Imagine Canada, Vice-President of the Friends of the University of Alberta Botanic Garden, and Past-Chair of Women United for United Way of Alberta Capital Region.

Some of her past community engagement roles include being the Past Chair of the Social Well Being Advisory Committee for the City of Calgary, Senator of the University of Alberta, and Board Member for United Way Centraide Canada.

Danisha has been recognized for her contributions to the community by the United Way of Alberta Capital Region’s George Letki Outstanding Volunteer Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, the Future of Good as a Young Impact Leader, the Government of Alberta Stars of Alberta Award, the University of Alberta Alumni Award, Edify Edmonton’s Top 40 under 40, Edmontonians’ Magazine’s Sizzling 20 under 30, and Correctional Services of Canada.

Born in Cardston, from the Kainai First Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy. Raised by her grandparents in a very traditional way.

Jackie Bromley has worked for over 30 years to empower the Indigenous population in and around Calgary and assist them in gaining access to housing. She currently works at the Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society.

Jackie also works in various capacities with Alberta Health Services, Calgary Police Service, University of Calgary, University of Alberta, Calgary Board of Education, and 113 Pathways to Justice: Alberta Joint Working Group on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

In 2017 Jackie was honoured to be the recipient of the Arthur R. Smith award through the Calgary Homeless Foundation. In 2018 Jackie was elated to receive an Esquao Award from the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women.

Jackie is one of the Elders that is part of the Elders Knowledge Circle.

Susan has been with the United Way for 14 years and is the Vice President of Community Impact & Partnerships. In this role she works with agencies and other stakeholders to identify gaps, reduce barriers and build innovative and intentional partnerships to create greater community impact. In her time at United Way, she has also worked quite deeply in the area of financial empowerment as well as with the immigrant and seniors sectors. She has a Master’s Degree in social work, and has been working in the non- profit sector for 38 years.

Shaundra Bruvall is the Director of Communications, Community Engagement, and Fund Development at Calgary Alpha House Society. She has been with the agency for 6 years, supporting their government, stakeholder, and media relations, as well as all internal communications, and a robust social media platform that has become a hub of educational content related to homelessness and addiction. She has been facilitating the Engaging Vulnerable Persons Workshop for 4 years, including for groups like the Calgary Fire Department, Calgary Police, the City of Calgary, local businesses, and everyday Calgarians, to improve safety and build community for all through practical communication and understanding.

Kent Ferguson, Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Corporate Development, is accountable for Suncor’s strategy and investment portfolio, sustainability, as well as commercial and corporate development.

Kent brings over 25 years of energy industry experience to the role, including an extensive understanding of the Canadian market. Throughout his career at RBC, Kent had a variety of roles leading global and energy market activities. Before joining Suncor, his most recent position was the Managing Director and Co-Head of Global Energy at RBC Capital Markets. While with RBC, Kent served as a driving force on a number of key initiatives including Indigenous finance, climate change, emissions, energy policy, sustainable finance, environmental markets, energy transition, as well as diversity and inclusion.

Kent is a CFA, charter holder, CFA Institute and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan.

Kent is married with two children.

Kent served on United Way of Calgary and Area’s Campaign Cabinet from 2015 to 2022, joined the Board of Directors in 2018, served as Board Vice Chair and Chair, Finance, Audit & Technology Committee from 2022 to 2024, and is currently serving as Board Chair.

Current Board involvement includes:

• Chair of the Board
• Member of the Governance & Strategy Committee
• Chair of the HR Sub-Committee

James Gamage is the Director of Innovation and the Social Impact Lab at United Way of Calgary and Area. James leads the Lab, driving innovation and helping all United Way staff become more creative in their day-to-day work. The focus of the Lab is in working with the community to develop a broad range of upstream solutions that aim to solve some of the most serious social issues affecting the citizens of Calgary such as poverty, food insecurity and mental health.

James has led corporate innovation teams for over 20 years and, prior to United Way, did so in financial services organizations in the UK, Europe and Canada. As a proud intrapreneur, James’ expertise lies in building the cultures, processes and methodologies that drive transformation and innovation in large organizations.

Robert is a seasoned leader with over three decades of experience in the banking industry. As the Senior Vice President and Region Head for TD Canada Trust’s Alberta Region, he is responsible for the strategic direction and operations of nearly 140 branches across the province. Known for his unwavering commitment to colleague development, customer engagement and relationship building, Robert is a collaborative and results-oriented change agent with a keen focus on delivering exceptional service while driving business growth.

Since joining TD through the Laurentian Bank acquisition in 1991, Robert has held senior positions in various lines of business in Canada and the US, including roles in Branch Banking, North American Customer Operations, Sales Strategy, and Human Resources. He also leads the Indigenous Persons pillar within TD’s Inclusion and Diversity Leadership Council, reflecting his dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace.

Robert is a proud native of Montreal, Quebec and holds a BA from McGill University and an MBA from Dalhousie University. Fluent in both English and French, he embodies TD’s commitment to serving diverse communities across Canada.

Outside of work, Robert is an avid runner and actively contributes to his community. He serves on McGill University’s Western Canada Regional Advisory Board and sits on the Board of Directors for KidSport Alberta, a non-profit organization that provides underprivileged children with opportunities to participate in organized sports.

Robert currently resides in Calgary, Alberta with his wife and two daughters, where they enjoy exploring the vibrant culture and scenic landscapes of the region together.

Daisy Giroux (She/Her) is Woodland Cree from the Driftpile First Nation on Treaty 8 territory but has been a visitor of Treaty 7 since 2011.

Her traditional name means “keeper of the sacred medicines” in Cree, gifted by Elder Alma Kitwyhat from Saskatchewan. Daisy’s other traditional name means “Driftpile woman” in Blackfoot, gifted by Elder Reg Crowshoe of Piikani First Nation. Her pronouns are she/her.

Daisy is a single mother of three living children, who are 28, 22, and 18, and one child in the spirit world. She is also a “kookum,” or grandmother, to two grandsons.

She is a Strategy Lead for United Way of Calgary and Area’s Akaks’timan Indigenous Strategy. She has a Bachelor of Education degree and was a teacher and then a principal for eight years. Daisy also holds a master’s in social work from the University of Toronto, specializing in Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency.

Thunderbird Woman, whose income tax name is Henri Giroux, is Woodland Cree from Driftpile Cree Nation in Treaty 8 territory, making her a visitor in Treaty 7 for the past 20 years. After working with Indigenous families for over 15 years and spending the last 7 years at the Calgary Public Library, she made the choice to return to school as a mature student.

Although the journey has been challenging, she has chosen to meet adversity head-on. She attends the University of Calgary, where she is pursuing a double major in International Indigenous Studies and Law and Society, along with a minor in Psychology. Her goal this semester was to make the Dean’s List, which she accomplished, and she was also admitted to the Scholars Academy.

She aspires to be a role model for young Indigenous women and students through her achievements. Thunderbird Woman is the mother of one adult son and a dog mom to a 10-year-old rat terrier. In between her three part-time jobs and writing papers, she plays in three cornhole leagues and hopes to become a professional in the sport, having won her first regional tournament this past January in Novice Doubles.

She also facilitates Kairos Blanket Exercises, as her passion lies in helping bridge the gap toward reconciliation through education. She believes that together, reconciliation can become a reality for future generations, and she is committed to doing her part to build that foundation through all her work.

Veronica has worked in the financial services industry for 15 years, has recently obtained an MBA from a reputable university, with a specialization in leadership. In 2014 Veronica was a Sponsored Employee at United Way working on one of the largest corporate campaigns and has continued to be a tremendous support joining our Speakers Bureau. Since working with United Way each year, Veronica stays connected outside of campaign time by working on smaller initiatives to help the local community and build awareness of the urgent needs surrounding us.

Lynn has been with United Way of Calgary and Area for over 15 years. She joined the Innovation team four years ago, where she helped with the design and implementation of various projects, including the VR experience (Jack’s story), Natural Supports Simulation, Steps to Support Website, Open Market, Responsible Disruption podcast, and Disrupt-ATHONS. Her design experience involves creating immersive, user-centered experiences, facilitating user engagement and feedback, and applying design thinking methodologies to develop innovative solutions for diverse audiences. She has played a key role in both the conceptualization and execution phases of these projects, ensuring that design aligns with the needs of the target users.

Sofiya is a tri-lingual mental health advocate, born in Ukraine, who moved to Canada 13 years ago. After finishing high school here, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Before discovering her personal career path, she worked in public service and was part of the Saskatchewan-Ukraine Crisis Response Team, where she received the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Public Service.

A year ago, Sofiya moved to Calgary and has been loving everything about the city. She began aligning her career path with her passions and values, which led her to United Way. After a couple months in a temporary position as a Campaign Associate, she wanted to seal the deal and landed the role of Affinity Groups Coordinator.

Sofiya is passionate about personal growth, psychology, and holistic approach to wellness. In her personal life, she’s always learning by taking courses, listening to audiobooks and podcasts. Sofiya is also passionate about giving back to the community through peer support and mentoring Ukrainian youth, helping them improve their English skills.

Shasta is a results-oriented senior executive with over two decades of progressive leadership experience in the electricity industry, demonstrating an exceptional ability to drive organizational excellence and innovation. A proven track record in building and leading high-performance teams, implementing strategic initiatives, and optimizing business processes. She has held senior leadership roles most recently at TransAlta Corporation and is recognized for expertise in corporate services, business integration, information technology, and plant operational management. An adept strategist with a comprehensive understanding of the energy sector, consistently delivering tangible results in diverse and dynamic environments. Shasta has a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Calgary.

Current Board involvement includes: Member of the Revenue Generation Committee

Kendra MacLean is a Commercial Negotiator at Heritage Royalty and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary. She began volunteering with United Way of Calgary and Area in 2019. Kendra expanded her involvement by participating in The NEXT in 2022 and joining the GenNext Committee in 2023. Kendra believes supporting our community is key to advancing positive change, as curiosity about others’ experiences helps cultivate belonging, empathy, and respect.

Kathleen MacPherson (she/her) is the Chief Development Officer at United Way of Calgary and Area (United Way). A strategic and relationship-driven leader, Kathleen fosters meaningful connections with donors, partner workplaces and foundations to ensure United Way has the resources to drive lasting community change.

During her career, Kathleen has been directly involved in raising more than $1 billion for various organizations across Calgary. With more than two decades of experience in fundraising and philanthropy, Kathleen has a proven track record of inspiring generosity and mobilizing support for social impact. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2017, which speaks to her successes as a trusted and renowned fundraising professional. Kathleen is passionate about building a strong and caring community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Awurama Oteng is an Associate Broker at Aon Reed Stenhouse and is committed to helping businesses navigate complex risk management and insurance challenges. With a strong foundation in insurance, risk management and finance, she brings strategic insight and a people-first approach to the role.

Beyond her corporate career, she is passionate about education, financial literacy and giving back to the Calgary community. Awurama’s desire to engage in social impact and make a positive change in the world is what drives her. She has organized numerous events and initiatives to fundraise and make a difference in the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty and mental health challenges. A few years ago, she joined the United Way’s The Next program and now GenNext in an effort to channel this passion into other areas.

Awurama believes supporting your community and giving back is essential to creating a sense of unity and building stronger relationships. She is motivated by opportunities to bridge the gap between to corporate world and philanthropy and she enjoys connecting with others who are equally passionate about creating lasting positive change.

Lillian Pan is a Senior Advisor at Dentons Canada LLP who focuses on commercial litigation, including the areas of business litigation, securities, product liability, shareholder disputes, energy and employment litigation. She has appeared before many levels of court, including the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench, the Alberta Court of Appeal, the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Ontario Superior Court and the Federal Court; as well as the Alberta Securities Commission and the Ontario Securities Commission. She also deals with enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards.

Lillian is passionate about mentoring and an advocate for diversity. She is a senior advisor and mentor to the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL) since 2014, and an instructor in the trial advocacy programme at the University of Calgary Law School since 2012. She is on the Board of the Chinatown Business Improvement Area, which assists the business community of Calgary Chinatown. She is part of the China Services Desk for Dentons Canada and a member of Dentons Diversity and Women’s LEAD groups.

Lillian has practiced civil litigation for over 35 years, 13 years at a Toronto Bay Street firm, 18 years at a Calgary mid-sized firm and is now at Dentons LLP, the world’s largest law firm. She speaks Mandarin fluently, coming to Canada as an immigrant at the age of 6 years old.

Careen Provost is a proud member of the Piikani Nation, a member nation of Treaty No. 7. She currently works for the Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs Association in Calgary as the acting CEO. In this role, she advocates for and advises the G4 Nations of Tsuut’ina, Chiniki, Goodstoney, and Bearspaw on political issues and initiatives that are of interest to the member nations of the G4.

Careen loves working for First Nations people within the Treaty 7 region and hopes to be a change maker at the federal, provincial, and national levels where she has the privilege to participate. She enjoys travelling and, most importantly, cherishes the love and attention her poodle, Mazley, brings into her life.

She aspires to one day run for a leadership role. In the fall of 2025, she plans to embark on successfully working toward obtaining her degree in Political Science over the next few years.

Sarena Provost is a proud member of the Piikani First Nation, which is part of Treaty No. 7. She is currently the Indigenous Manager for YMCA Calgary’s Indigenous Programs and serves as the Board Chair for the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY).

Sarena has worked with youth and children, both in her home community and in the city of Calgary, for the past 24 years. She has developed culturally enriched programs and curriculum for young people in numerous capacities. She has been fortunate to experience many opportunities to learn about other Indigenous cultures from across Turtle Island, which she has incorporated into her programs to enhance cultural teachings for diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth.

As Indigenous Manager for YMCA Calgary, she provides cultural leadership and consultation that guide YMCA Calgary and YMCAs across Canada and the United States through strategic work on reconciliation from an Indigenous worldview and cultural perspective.

She is also a Blanket Exercise and Impacts of Intergenerational Trauma facilitator, which allows her to help create ethically safe spaces to share Indigenous narratives and support efforts related to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s work.

Jessica Robichaud graduated from the University of Calgary in 2021 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Technology Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She currently works at Liberty Mutual as a Commercial Property and Casualty Underwriter. Over the past 2.5 years, Jessica has had the pleasure of volunteering with United Way through the GenNext Committee. Now in her second year serving as co-chair, she is incredibly proud of all the committee has accomplished. The NEXT is an initiative she and the team are truly excited to be involved with and watch grow in the coming year.

Marcus is focused on analyzing trends and market fundamentals for the energy industry, providing data management and analysis, evaluation of current and future policies, as well as contributing to the weekly ARC publications.

Marcus’ research covers a wide range of energy systems, from oil and gas to transitional energy; including biofuels, carbon capture, renewable power, electricity markets, and energy storage.

He has a Master’s in Economics from the University of Toronto and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University.

Marcus believes that strong communities don’t happen by accident — they’re built through the efforts of people who choose to show up and contribute. Supporting the community is a way to stay connected, offer what you can, and help create opportunities for others to do the same.

David Smith has more than 38 years of experience in Canada’s energy industry. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Keyera Corp. from 2015 until he retired in 2020. David held senior management roles with Keyera and its predecessors since the company’s inception in 1998. He began his career with Imperial Oil in 1982, before joining Gulf Canada Resources in 1991.

David holds a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo, a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University, and the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. David is currently Chair of the Board of Arts Commons (Calgary Centre for Performing Arts) and a Director of Wajax Corporation, in addition to his role with United Way of Calgary and Area.

He has been a supporter and volunteer with the United Way of Calgary and Area for many years. He was Co-Chair of the Campaign Cabinet in 2018 and he joined the Board of Directors in 2019.

Current Board involvement includes: Chair of Revenue Generation Committee

Karen Young (she/her) is President and CEO of United Way of Calgary and Area, a visionary leader who knows the power of partnership and collaboration to achieve a common purpose. Karen joined United Way as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2014 before becoming President and Chief Executive Officer in 2017. Under her leadership, United Way has raised nearly $600 million for the local Calgary community, delivering a profound impact to people who need it the most.

Prior to joining United Way, Karen worked with The City of Calgary for over 20 years as an award-winning leader. As director of Community and Neighbourhood Services, she was instrumental in securing $480 million to build four new recreation facilities in Calgary and led the Emergency Social Services efforts during the historic 2013 Alberta Floods. Karen worked closely with United Way over the years on many projects, including the Calgary Poverty Reduction Initiative, Calgary AfterSchool, and the Calgary Local Immigration Partnership.

She has served on several community boards and committees, including the Calgary Homeless Foundation and The City of Calgary’s Mental Health and Addiction Strategy. Karen earned a master’s certificate in Municipal Leadership from York University, and holds a Bachelor of General Studies in Leisure, Recreation and Tourism from the University of Calgary.

A catalyst for social change, which has been building momentum in communities for most of her career, Karen is driven by her belief that all Calgarians have the right to a good quality of life.

In 2020, Karen was awarded the inaugural Calgary Influential Women in Business Award in the Social Enterprise category. In 2024, Karen received the George Hart Award for Excellence from United Way Centraide Canada. The award recognizes her lifelong dedication to building stronger communities. In 2025, Karen was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal and the Champions for Children Award from Children First Canada.