The Speakers

Ahmed Ali- Keynote

Award-winning Poet Laureate Ahmed Ali, better known as Knowmadic, is a multi-disciplinary artist, community organizer, public speaker and youth worker who has dedicated his time to enabling and empowering diverse communities around the world. Ahmed's poetry has been featured in anthologies in North America and is taught in schools across Canada. He is passionate about the arts, education and emphasizes the importance of equitable representation on all levels of government.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook Artist Page - Link https://www.facebook.com/AKnowmadic

Twitter - @Aknowmadic Link https://twitter.com/AKnowmadic

Instagram @Aknowmadic Link https://www.instagram.com/aknowmadic

Rae Madge (she/they)

Rae Madge (she/they) is a Deh’cho Dene and mixed-settler Two-Spirit person who works at the Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity as an educator on Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer experiences. She knows the power of vulnerability, and is always happy to share her stories and strategies of coping with mental illness, homophobia, and racism through a lens of resiliency and resurgence.

Bob Wilkie

Bob is a former NHL hockey player, and President of I Got Mind. His company has been helping athletes learn to develop the skills to manage the obstacles of becoming elite. His story is both tragic and heartwarming. If you have big goals, a great skill set is required both mentally and emotionally. Bob's presentations provide insight and concepts that can help you develop the skillset required to achieve your dreams.

Rilee ManyBears "Running Buffalo - linomaahka"

Rilee ManyBears, "Running Buffalo - Iinomaahka," is a long-distance runner from the Siksika Nation, part of the Blackfoot Confederacy in Treaty 7. Rilee shares his story of true resilience and how he overcame many obstacles in his life. Strong[1]minded, determined and wise beyond his years.

Jeff Horvath

Jeff is an educator who has worked in several Public and First Nations school boards since 1998. He currently works as a Learning Specialist with the Indigenous Learning Branch. His community is Onigaming in NW Ontario but has lived in Alberta for 40 years. He lives in Canmore with his family and spends his free time mountain biking, hiking and skiing.

Nolan Peters

Nolan (he/him) is a Success Coach with Rocky View Schools, where he teaches about emotional wellbeing and relationships. He has studied psychology at the University of Calgary and is interested in the science of motivation, communication, and how to make learning more fun. When he isn't busy uncovering the secrets of the universe, he immerses himself in fantasy and sci-fi books, listens to weird music, and plays Dungeons & Dragons.

Constable Nathan Moore, RCMP

Hello, I have been a police officer for over 16 years, with the RCMP for just over 22. I've been in in the Cochrane detachment for about 11 years now, for the past few as a Youth Liaison/School Resource Officer but with other duties including being the detachment Jet Boat Coordinator and one of 7 Forensic Composite Sketch Artists in the Country. I'm married to a lovely retired police officer and have 3 children, ages 14, 17 and 20.

Rhonda Anderson

Rhonda is a Success Coach with the Mental Health Capacity Building Program, Stepping Stones to Mental Health, at Rocky View Schools. Her background is Education, Mental Health and Wellness. Rhonda holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Victoria. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, travelling, yoga and spending time with her family.

Vesper Loewen

Ms. Loewen is the Learning Support teacher at Summit Trails Online High School. Through the years, she has taught every age range from early elementary to adult, served as a classroom teacher, a literacy lead, an adult learning curriculum developer, and as a Learning Support teacher in both middle and high school. She is interested in neurodiversity, trauma, and resilience within the context of learning and education. Ms. Loewen is passionate about positively supporting all learners, which starts with meeting each person where they are at.

Allyson Dennehy

Allyson Dennehy is First Nations from Samson Cree Nation and is currently Rocky View Schools Wellness Coordinator. Allyson believes we can draw strength from the land to help us become well. She has learned from many Elders about Indigenous culture and how humor is good medicine or helps us heal. Allyson is excited to connect with youth at RVS to share traditional Indigenous practices such as storytelling to help youth overcome challenges and be well!

Katie Semko

Katie Semko is a Success Coach from Stepping Stones to Mental Health.

Success Coaches are part of our school team here in Rocky View, working hard to help us all do our best and feel great about it. They're here for everyone, offering help before problems even start. Think of them as your go-to for classroom talks, Wellness Sessions, and even smaller group hangouts to tackle specific stuff. They're all about ensuring we feel good and on track for success, so let's give a big welcome and make some space for a great chat!"

Tashia Christie

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

Success Coaches are part of our school team here in Rocky View, working hard to help us all do our best and feel great about it. They're here for everyone, offering help before problems even start. Think of them as your go-to for classroom talks, Wellness Sessions, and even smaller group hangouts to tackle specific stuff. They're all about ensuring we feel good and on track for success, so let's give a big welcome and make some space for a great chat!"

Melissa Ramsay

Melissa works for Stepping Stones to Mental Health as a success coach promoting mental health and wellness. She recently graduated from UofC as a social worker and has returned to do her Masters in Social work. She has six kids ranging in age from 1-18 and two cats.

Success Coaches are part of our school team here in Rocky View, working hard to help us all do our best and feel great about it. They're here for everyone, offering help before problems even start. Think of them as your go-to for classroom talks, Wellness Sessions, and even smaller group hangouts to tackle specific stuff. They're all about ensuring we feel good and on track for success, so let's give a big welcome and make some space for a great chat!"

Helen St.Pierre & Kelsey Brown

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, trauma, and early intervention for students and families. Helen is passionate in advocating for mental health and equitable access to services. Helen lives with her feisty 4 year old, supportive husband and 50lb fluffy monster puppy. Helen enjoys baking/cooking and going on adventures with her little family.

Kelsey is a ninja by night, a morning yogi, and a travelling surfer. Kelsey has a Great Dane, a lizard and a cat named Dave. On a serious note, Kelsey is a registered social worker and works as a Family School Liaison with Rocky View Schools Enhanced Mental Health Mobile Team.

Ashley Meagher

Ashley is part of the MHCB, Stepping Stones to Mental Health team. Ashley is passionate about the mind-body connection, nature-based therapy and expressive arts. Ashley grew up in Ontario and has lived in Alberta for the last 7 years!

Success Coaches are part of our school team here in Rocky View, working hard to help us all do our best and feel great about it. They're here for everyone, offering help before problems even start. Think of them as your go-to for classroom talks, Wellness Sessions, and even smaller group hangouts to tackle specific stuff. They're all about ensuring we feel good and on track for success, so let's give a big welcome and make some space for a great chat!"

Tori Van Bavel

My name is Tori Van Bavel, and I am an Occupational Therapist for Rocky View School Division, supporting multiple Elementary, Middle and High Schools. I have a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alberta, and a Psychology degree proceeding that. Occupational Therapy in a school setting supports students with functional challenges in some of the following areas: self-care, sensorimotor skills (interaction between our sensory and motor systems and how that impacts regulation), social skills, and/or executive functioning skills. Looking forward to chatting and collaborating further!

Jossalyn McConnell

I have a Bachelors in Social Work from the University of Calgary and currently work with Rocky View Schools and community organizations as a Success Coach to help deliver mental health and wellness programing to youth, parents and the community.

I am particularly interested in working to de-stigmatize mental health and helping teens build self-esteem. I love working with students in creative ways that promote artistic expression.

Suzzy Anibueze

I have been working in the Human Services field for 14 years, including roles as Complex Needs’ Specialist, Residential Support worker at Addiction treatment facilities, and Addiction Worker with RVS. I am a mom of two adults, and enjoys fashion designing, writing, and cooking at my spare time.