YES, and... (2023)
Their work and lives exemplify our theme of "Yes, and...": they have gone deep around key ideas, or consistently demonstrated a lifelong passion for engaging with our community on important issues. And, their talks will allow you — our participants — to find new and deep connections with one another, and their ideas.
View the speakers from our 2023 "Yes, and..." main annual event, being held on May 6, 2023.
Enyinnah OkereAdvancing Community Safety and Well-being
Enyinnah Okere is the Chief Operations Officer of the Edmonton Police Services’ Community Safety and Well-being Bureau. In his current role with EPS, he provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction in the delivery of services focusing on: o The centralization of resources and expertise to address the needs of those…
Wakefield BrewsterCalgary's Poet Laureate
In January 1999, Wakefield Brewster stepped onto his first stage as a Poet and Spoken Word Artist. Today, he is known as one of Canada’s most powerful Professional Performance Poets. A BlackMan raised in Toronto by parents from Barbados, he has resided in Calgary since 2016, and it is in…
Bill ChomikCreating Impactful Built Environments
Bill Chomik has practiced architecture for over four decades. Throughout his career, he has steadfastly focused on enhancing people’s lives through powerful design which blends, with equal weight, form and function. Bill has consistently striven to create impactful built environments that are at once beautiful and utilitarian. His work, which…
Jung-Suk (JS) RyuArts Innovator
Jung-Suk (JS) Ryu was appointed the founding President and CEO of the National accessArts Centre (NaAC) in November 2020, after serving as CEO of the organization formerly known as the Indefinite Arts Centre since 2017. Under his leadership, the NaAC has grown to become Canada’s largest disability arts organization, more…
Alex SarianArts and Culture Activator
Alex Sarian is the President & CEO of Arts Commons, the largest arts center in western Canada and the nation's third largest arts facility. Appointed in January 2020, Alex became one of the youngest CEOs to oversee a major performing arts center in North America, including its response to the…
Anna MurphyEquity, Diversity and Inclusion Champion
Anna Murphy is a woman fiercely passionate to call the communities of Calgary her home, she is a community-minded and engaged advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ and Women’s Issues, while striving to be a champion for equity, inclusion, diversity, and accessibility within her community. In addition to her role as Visitor Engagement…
Dr. Doug MahoneyEngineering Cancer Treaments
Dr. Mahoney is a translational scientist at Cumming School of Medicine in the University of Calgary with 20+ years of experience studying human health and disease. Over the past 15 years, his research has made important contributions to the development of numerous cancer immunotherapies that have been commercialized and/or tested…- Events
- Yes, and...
Jessica ThérouxArtist and Advocate
Using the Arts as a thread to sew people and thoughts together, Jessica Théroux is a painter, writer, sculptor, and textiles artist. She makes a living as a teacher and runs an artist collective in her home town of Calgary, Alberta with her husband, Rich Theroux. Over the past 10…- Events
- Yes, and...
- Website
- Rumble House (Facebook)
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