Our Speakers

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Keynote Speaker

CHANDRA CRAWFORD

Born and raised in Canmore, Alberta, Chandra Crawford is an Olympic Gold Medalist and 3 x Olympian in Cross Country Skiing.

She completed her MBA at the University of Calgary, founded a national charity called "Fast and Female" and is a member of Canada's Sports Hall of fame.

Chandra is a sought-after keynote speaker on topics such as resilience, mental health and excellence. Her purpose is to share her high-vibe energy and growth mindset so we can all turn challenges into opportunities.

She can be found shredding the trails of Canmore with her husband Jared, their 4 kids and a barky golden retriever named Stella. She’d love to hear from you and is @ChandraCrawford on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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Welcome from Chandra Crawford

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Keynote Speaker

TYLER WAYE

Tyler Waye is a prominent work and leadership strategist who has gained recognition for his thought leadership, research, and expertise in the future of work. He has explored various patterns of success that influence people and organizations, drawing from his extensive experience of living in 12 countries across the globe. Tyler is the founder of Youngleaders. World is a youth leadership organization that has empowered over 26,000 people worldwide.

As a serial entrepreneur, Tyler is the Managing Partner of Multiversity, the largest motivational media company on YouTube. He has produced several videos on leadership and mindset, interviewing prominent business leaders and athletes to gain insights into leadership, teamwork, and organizational success. Tyler is also a university instructor, teaching courses on leadership, strategy, innovation, and change at the University of Alberta and other post-secondary institutions.

Tyler Waye is the author of the internationally published book, "I Went to School That Long for This?!," which focuses on how to maximize potential, improve lives, and achieve meaningful outcomes. He has worked with numerous private, not-for-profit, and public sector organizations, helping them revolutionize their businesses, develop new strategies, and engage their teams. Tyler's presentations and consultations are direct and thoughtful, striking a chord with audiences worldwide. He is a regular feature on TV, radio, and YouTube and has been named Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Magazine for his thought leadership in the classroom and his approach to education.

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Session Speaker

TAMMY DUNNETT

The most challenging moment in Tammy Dunnett’s career was not working in the Emergency rooms and Intensive Care Units as a Canadian Armed Forces Critical Care Nurse in Afghanistan, it was navigating a workplace bully and the subsequent anxiety, panic attacks and agoraphobia that followed.

Through her recovery and reclamation of her life, she now thrives as an executive coach, communication skills trainer and speaker, guiding individuals through difficult conversations to create a workplace where everyone feels respected, empowered, and appreciated.

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Session Speaker

JOHN HEATHER

With 20 years of experience in organizational transformation, I’ve discovered that the key to driving real change and innovation lies in empowering leaders to rise to the challenges of their roles. Over the past 5 years, I’ve coached senior and executive leaders at companies such as VML, Ford, Pfizer, Wendy’s, T-Mobile, GE, and many others, helping them lead with vision and foster innovation within their teams and organizations.

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Session Speaker

CATHERINE COTE

Catherine Cote is a seasoned leader with a background in Oil & Gas, Construction, and business ownership. A former CMA with extensive experience in financial and operational management, she has led projects, implemented CRM systems, and driven process improvements. After 11 years of successfully owning and managing a roofing company, she and her husband sold the business. As BNI President of the Year (2022) and Chapter of the Year (2023), she led her chapter to double in size by applying the very techniques she will share with us today.

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Session Speaker

KIM HYSHKA

Kim Hyshka is a trailblazer in high-stakes, high-impact engagement and communication and the powerhouse behind Dialogue Partners. She doesn’t just facilitate conversations—she transforms them. With a deep passion for navigating complexity, Kim helps organizations, teams, communities, and leaders push beyond the status quo to create real, lasting change. Her expertise has shaped multi-million-dollar projects, influenced policy, and brought diverse voices to the table in meaningful ways.

As a speaker, trainer, and facilitator, Kim brings the principles of Daring Dialogue to life, inspiring audiences to embrace bold, intentional conversations that matter. Whether tackling polarizing issues, navigating deep distrust or equipping leaders with the communication tools to strengthen relationships, Kim leaves audiences energized, empowered, and ready to engage in dialogue that moves us (and our projects) forward.

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Session Speaker

KARI MIRABEL

Kari Mirabal, acclaimed international keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, author, and consultant, offers cutting-edge networking strategies aimed at empowering professionals to harness the true potential of genuine connections. Mirabal shares knowledge gathered from decades of experience and whose clients include Fortune 500 companies and executive leaders across the country and abroad. Mirabal’s company develops corporate programs, products, and presentations that benefit those interested in earning new clients, increasing profits, and advancing careers through networking.

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Session Speaker

PAUL LOPUSHINSKY

Paul Lopushinsky is the founder of Playficient, a consultancy helping organizations create better employee experiences.

Areas of focus for Playficient include the following:

  • Employee Journey Mapping for identifying the strengths and shortcomings of the employee experience
  • Utilizing the Eight Play Personalities to create better work cultures that don't rely on fancy office perks or forced fun

Paul has worked with organizations such as Ronald McDonald House, The British Columbia Lottery Corporation, UXPressia, and Culture Amp.

Paul’s work has been featured in the BBC, Harvard Business Review, Association for Talent Development, and People Managing People.

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Session Speaker

NICOLA McCRABBE

Nicola McCrabbe is a PCC-certified leadership coach, former computer science professor, and the author of Burnout Be Gone: Healthy Habits for the Overwhelmed. With an evidence-based approach, Nicola is a trusted authority on resilience, workplace well-being, and managing stress in high-pressure and high-performance environments. Her proprietary SIT-UPP™ tool and agile-inspired journaling practice provide practical tools to balance peak performance with mental health.

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Session Speaker

DR. ELIZABETH COKER-FARRELL

Dr. Elizabeth Coker-Farrell: Nude Wings owner, mentor, public speaker, rising entrepreneur, and Business Assistant Professor at Concordia University of Edmonton, Alberta Canada.

Dr. Coker-Farrell obtained her first degree in Computer Science from the University of Jos in Nigeria. She then went on to complete her master’s degree in HealthCare Organizational Management at Cyprus International University, as well as a PhD in Business Administration,

Dr. Coker-Farrell’s research focus is on population and organizational human resources, and her future research interests include developing a healthy working population in Alberta, focusing on healthy and safe workplace, mental health, and other correlated variables. She has presented her research findings at several conferences, and has publications in peer-reviewed journals, social science citation index journals, and IEEE.

Elizabeth is compassionate and passionate about community development; Hence involve in lots of communities and organization’s volunteer services like serving as a board of director for Habitat for Humanity Alberta, an academic outreach director for Project Management Institute – Northern Alberta Chapter (PMI-NAC), Mentor at Chartered Professional of Human Resources (CPHR), Norquest College, amidst others.

LinkedIn
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Session Speaker

DR. ASHISH THOMAS

Dr. Ashish Thomas brings over 24 years of progressive management experience in marketing, operations, supply chain, quality and continuous improvement initiatives. Ashish is currently engaged in training business students in areas of Operations, Supply Chain and Project Management at Concordia University of Edmonton.

Ashish has provided leadership and continuous improvement support to over 12 SBU’s for multiple Fortune 500 companies. Participated in numerous collaborative initiatives within North America and internationally to identify operational issues and performance gaps. Conducted root-cause analysis and business process redesign and improvement studies for unparalleled client satisfaction. Managed new project implementation and training across multiple sites within cross cultural setting. Stellar experience in managing new project implementation and coordination of resources within budget.

Ashish has significant supply chain management, purchasing and inventory management experience. Successfully supported supply chain networks within Western Canada. Implemented product management and tracking methodologies to harness efficiencies and minimize costs. Proactively handled product complaints /product returns and partnered with leading IT vendors/manufacturers.

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