The Speakers

JD Hunter - Keynote

Kyle Young Pine

Meegan Dunham

Genesis Lamboson - Head Strong

Constable Nathan Moore, RCMP

JD Hunter - Keynote

JD HUNTER is a professional DJ, MC, Public Speaker, Radio Announcer & Programmer, Audio/Video Producer & Creative Writer. After living through the Horse River Wildfire in Fort McMurray, JD has performed, produced & spoken at hundreds of events over the last 15 years, while assisting clients with various creative projects. Discovering mental illness began as a child, JD takes every opportunity to learn, grow & share about his continuous Mental Wellness journey. Since 2014, thousands have heard his story of hope despite darkness, going from the brink of suicide to learning to thrive. Whether on the air, at events throughout Canada or online in social media posts, JD takes every opportunity to be vulnerable, authentic & forthcoming about the journey to wellness. JD Hunter brings passion, engagement, energy & light to whatever role he’s entrusted with.

JD runs his company JD Hunter Media Management near Red Deer, Alberta. He’s a proud partner of the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s HEADSTRONG program as a Keynote Speaker, MC & Mentor to young Masters of Ceremonies, sharing hope & encouragement with elementary through high school students. His message is simple: You are loved, you matter & there is purpose for your life.

Kyle Young Pine

Piita Aapasskaan | Eagle Fancy Dancer

Kyle Young Pine is Niitistapii (Blackfoot) from the Kainai First Nations Blood Tribe.   He is a presenter, motivational speaker, and educator.  Young Pine enjoys working with youth and encouraging them to embrace their Indigeneity. A southern-style Fancy Feather Dancer, his Pow Wow travels have taken him all over North America, competing at high-level Pow Wows.

When he’s not dancing, bridging the gap, or skateboarding, Young Pine is a red seal plumber and gasfitter, owner of Fancy Feather and Plumbing and Gas Co., and Recovery Coach with Recovery Coaches Alberta.

Meegan Dunham

Hey I’m Meegan! I’m a certified holistic health coach, and specialize in yoga, nutrition, strength training, mindset, and have been working with women 1:1, and facilitating classes for 6 years now. Growing up; I knew that there were some huge missing pieces in mental and physical wealth- that this knowledge is often not taken into consideration, or taught along this deep journey of self-growth. I am a big advocate of radical transformation as I have personally experienced the most monumental shifts in my life from the magic that comes from harnessing personal power and freedom.

Through my own personal experiences of feeling lost and out of touch with who I was- I soon realized that the habits and rituals that I developed turned me into a powerful force of nature. The trauma I had experienced in my life made me feel buried and small, I had no grounding control over my mind and body at times. Taking back my power and healing my inner world allowed me to gain sovereignty over myself and my life's compass. I am SO PASSIONATE about introducing people to the transformation they can give themselves with the right guidance and tools.

The combination of strength training, yoga, proper nutrition, meditation and other health rituals are synergetically healing, and are essential for transmuting hardship and stepping into the highest version of ourselves. When these modalities are embodied and put into action, they create lasting change to our inner and outer worlds.

Genesis Lamboson - Head Strong

Originally from the Philippines, and came to Stony Plain in 2014. His time before coming to Canada was tough and now, the 20-year-old singer wants to share that history with a song. He connects youth and musicians with the organization Headstrong.

Constable Nathan Moore, RCMP

I’ve been a police officer for 16 years, but employed by the RCMP for 22, I am an Alberta native, coming from Red Deer and enjoy drawing (especially as a police sketch artist) and spending time with family.

Stephanie Sands

Stephanie is a Success Coach with the MHCB, Stepping Stones to Mental Health team, and is currently supporting the East Side area schools. Her educational background is in psychology and kinesiology, and is passionate about the integration of mental health and physical health for overall well-being.

Vesper Loewen

Vesper Loewen (she/her) is the Learning Support Teacher at RVSOHS. Throughout her time with RVS, she has taught grades 2-12, served as a classroom teacher, an elementary Literacy Lead, and as a Learning Support Teacher in both middle and high school. Prior to coming to RVS, she was an instructor at Mount Royal University. Ms. Loewen is passionate about Learning Support and meeting all students where they are at. Her teaching motto is, “Whoever you are, wherever you’re at, however you’re feeling, YOU are welcome here!”

Laurene Head

Laurene Head is a 200-hour level certified yoga and meditation teacher and member of the Canadian Yoga Alliance; she has completed the Mindful Educator Essentials program and is a Girl on Fire resiliency program facilitator. She has participated in various mental health training programs, including Mental Health First Aid Canada, and Bringing Mental Health to Schools. Ms. Head is a CTS/options teacher at Summit Trails Online High School, and founder of Elevate Coaching Services, a business devoted to helping people live their best life by elevating their consciousness about life and death. (www.elevatecoachingservices.ca)

Kelsey Bagnall

Kelsey Bagnall is currently Learning Supports Specialist for Rocky View Schools . She has taught in schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12 over the last 15 years. She obtained a Masters of Education in Special Education at the University of Alberta. Her passions include Inclusive Learning , UDL, Assistive Technology, Social Emotional Learning and Positive Behavior Supports.

Tashia Christie

I am a RVS Success Coach. I have a BA Honours in Psychology. I am passionate about resilience and mental well-being.

Kelvin Ganpatt

Hi, my name is Kelvin Ganpatt and I work with MHCB, Stepping Stones to Mental Health. I grew up in Edmonton with a love for music and was a performer throughout my teens. After studying psychology and philosophy in university, I started working in a very stressful job that affected my overall well-being and I had many opportunities to make choices that supported my mental health. Now, working with RVS, I get to talk to children, youth, and families about many topics around supporting mental health. I facilitate conversations about what research says about how to support our mental health, whether that be about stress management or shaping up our sleep hygiene which we will cover together in our session today. I am very excited to be part of this Wellness Summit. Thank you for having me!

Sydney Sommers

Sydney is a Success with the MHCB, Stepping Stones to Mental Health team. She has three degrees, Sydney started out with a Bachelor of Nursing, then went to get her Bachelor of Health Sciences in Public Health and recently finished off getting her Bachelor of Education. She is excited to use her valuable combination of degrees together with her new role as a Success Coach to support mental health promotion and education for students, staff, and families. She is passionate about education, health promotion and working with students, families, and staff to help support them in their journeys at school and within the community.

Syeda Afreen

“I am Syeda Afreen, a Success Coach with MHCB Stepping Stones to Mental Health at Rocky View Schools. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Graduate Certificate in Addictions and Mental Health. While I am new to this role with Rocky View Schools, in the past, I worked with people with anxiety, depression and concurrent disorders and learning disabilities. I deeply care about mental health promotion and education because I believe prevention is better. I feel privileged that I get to work with young people in schools and to be part of their journey towards better understanding of mental health and making healthier choices.

Helen St.Pierre

Helen has been a registered social worker for 10 years and has a Masters in Clinical Social Work. Helen has been a Family School Liaison with Rocky View Schools for the last 5 years and has a background in family violence, early intervention for students and families. Helen is passionate in advocating for mental health and equitable access to services. Helen lives with her feisty 3 year old, supportive husband and 50lb fluffy monster puppy. Helen enjoys baking/cooking and going on adventures with her little family.

Adam Laforest

Adam is a registered social worker and Family School Liaison with Rocky View Schools. Adam recently moved to Alberta from the Toronto area where he worked as a staff social worker with a community legal clinic. Prior to this Adam worked as a housing worker with a Toronto shelter, assisting individuals and families navigate the housing market and locate safe, suitable and affordable housing. In work Adam is passionate about social justice issues in housing and poverty but in his personal time he enjoys playing music, gaming and spending time with his wonderful partner and 4 year old daughter exploring their new home province of Alberta.

Tori van Beval

My name is Tori Van Bavel. I am an Occupational Therapist for Rocky View School Division. I support the Online High School, in addition to many other Elementary, Middle, and High Schools in the division. As an Occupational Therapist, I support students to engage in their school-based tasks to the best of their ability. This includes tips and tricks for writing, typing, completing assignments, focusing during learning, and emotional regulation (feeling calm and ready to learn). If something is keeping you from performing a school-based task to the best of your ability, I can help! I have a degree in Psychology, and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. have a background in supporting various populations, ages, and diagnoses, primarily in mental health.

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