Thank you for attending A Better Tomorrow Starts with Tech, hosted by United Way of Calgary and Area and presented by Kaizen and KPMG. We are excited to welcome you to this exclusive group of collaborators as we work together to understand, alleviate, and prevent digital inequity.
Agenda
1:00PM – 1:30PM
Networking in the United Way Affinity Lounges
1:45PM – 3:00PM
Digital Inequity Panel on the KPMG Pitch Stage
3:00PM – 4:00PM
Facilitated Collaboration in the United Way Affinity Lounges
Meet the Presenters
Hosts
Hafiz Mitha
Founder & CEO, PlayCity App
As a United Way Calgary and Area Ambassador and advocate, Hafiz works to remove barriers in our community and inspire others to do the same.
Hafiz is a social entrepreneur dedicated to bringing people together using play as a medium, creating things that are impact driven. He is the CEO of PlayCity, a platform on a mission to use technology to bring people together – offline.
PlayCity’s mandate is to promote physical activity, diverse relationships and increasing wellbeing to overcome social isolation. Hafiz is also the co-host of Between Two Dots, a podcast that focuses on learning from guests on how to better live intentionally.
Special Welcome
Karen Young
President & CEO, United Way of Calgary and Area
Think of a time you had to do something hard. Did you do it alone, or with the help of other people? Extra hands, support and ideas help us tackle the big things in life—and the social sector is no different. As Calgary climbs out of the pandemic smack into the face of staggering inflation, –the obstacles and challenges are huge, necessitating equally far-reaching, crosssector, multi-partner solutions.
United Way’s Community Impact Framework does just that, with its investments in social sector initiatives that are collaborative and innovative and that address multiple social issues. By forming partnerships with community agencies and organizations, we can draw upon a range of experience, perspectives, and expertise to identify long-term, workable strategies that are designed to change the systems.
Panelists
Michael Crothers
Board Member, United Way of Calgary and Area
Michael has over 33 years with a top 10 company on the Fortune 500 list. Michael is a Retired National Country Chair and President, of Shell Canada.
In this latter phase of his career, Michael continues his leadership journey in community, building an incredible place for his children and grandchildren to live, work and play in. Michael is a champion of the environment, diversity and inclusion and is committed to reconciliation and partnership with Indigenous peoples.
In addition to his longstanding participation with United Way, he is Director of Keyera Corporation, Director of Westgen Technologies, Chair of the Board of Directors of Northern RNA, and Board member, Nature Conservancy Canada, Alberta branch.
Brenda Beckedorf
Executive Director, Alberta Internet of Things (IoT)
Brenda is the Executive Director of Alberta IoT, a non-profit member-based association established in 2017 to support the growth of all things digital by creating a space for connection, collaboration, and innovation.
In her role as Executive Director, Brenda’s focus is to bring our community together to provide a common voice in advancing the knowledge, adoption, and growth of the Internet of Things industry within the province of Alberta and throughout the world. She is a current Director of The Calgary Innovation Coalition (CIC), a group of organizations in the Calgary region that support innovation-driven entrepreneurs, startups, and enterprises.
Brenda is also Director for AWE (Alberta Women Entrepreneur) AWE supports women in business through advising, skill development, financing, and networking opportunities.
Brenda is a 2020 winner of the Universal Women Network Mentorship Award.
Debasis Bhaumik (DB)
Board Member, United Way of Calgary and Area
Vice Presidewnt, Information and Digital Solutions, Nutrien
DB is an entrepreneurial leader who has worked with and for many global Fortune 100 organizations across Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. He is a well-respected senior leader in the digital transformation space.
For over a decade, he has been a visiting faculty member at universities in India and Canada. DB is the author of Leadership 4.0, and Let’s do it Right, from Exclusivity to Inclusivity.