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Dr. Belinda Heyne is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Calgary. She is a Photochemist, bringing molecules to life with light! Dr. Heyne's research harnesses visible light to energize the oxygen we breathe, creating singlet oxygen. She leverages this potent molecule to successfully combat the escalating global challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

Her impact reaches well beyond her lab. As a passionate advocate for women in science, Dr. Heyne captivates audiences in numerous ways, from chemistry magic shows to the Women's Global Breakfast in Calgary (an event she helped organize). Her dedication to science and advocacy has earned her numerous awards, including the Immigrant of Distinction Award, which holds a special place in her heart as it celebrates her contributions to her field and community.

Dr. Belinda Heyne was born and raised in Belgium where she earned her Ph.D. in Science from the University of Liège in 2004. Her passion for photochemistry led her to Canada, where she worked alongside the renowned Prof. J.C. Scaiano, known as the Godfather of Photochemistry, at the University of Ottawa. In 2007, she embarked on her independent career at the University of Calgary and now proudly leads the Department of Chemistry as Head.

What does "flow" mean to you?

 Flow is the energy that connect all of us.

Dr. Ahmed is an assistant professor of law at the University of Calgary, where she teaches courses on criminal law and addressing money laundering.

Her interdisciplinary approach to studying the intersection of law, public policy, and economics has earned her recognition as a Killam Laureate. With a Ph.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School York University, an LLM from the University of Warwick, and a BA LLB from the University of Karachi, Dr. Ahmed’s work examines the regulatory, constitutional, and governance issues at the heart of global regulation.

Author of peer-reviewed articles in top academic journals & book chapters in prestigious publishers.

What does "flow" mean to you?

 "Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer. Only connect, and the beast and the monk, robbed of the isolation that is life to either, will die." E.M. Foster

Michael Wernick is an expert, teacher and influencer on how government and politics work in practice.

Author of Governing Canada: a Guide to the Tradecraft of Politics (UBC Press 2021), he is currently the Jarislowsky Chair in Public Sector Management at the University of Ottawa.

His 38 year career with the federal public service included 28 years as an executive and culminated in the top job, serving as the

23rd Clerk of the Privy Council from 2016 to 2019. He is an advisor to MNP Digital and a frequent contributor of articles, interviews and podcasts.

What does "flow" mean to you?

Periods of mindfulness and focus and shutting out chatter and background noise.

Meredith Preston McGhie is a peacemaker and pluralism ambassador working to build societies that recognize, respect, and value diversity.

Meredith Preston McGhie has devoted nearly 30 years to addressing conflict and instability in Africa and Asia in some of the most troubled situations. From working with the Naga in Northeast India and Indigenous communities on the Thai-Myanmar border, to supporting UN efforts in Kosovo, Northern Iraq, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria and Kenya, her work has straddled frontline negotiation, policy and diplomacy.

She became the Global Centre for Pluralism’s Secretary General in October 2019. In this position, Ms. Preston McGhie provides strategic leadership for the Centre and represents the Centre externally as an ambassador of pluralism to develop strong relationships with diplomatic communities, governments and other institutions.

Prior to working at the Centre, Ms. Preston McGhie worked as Africa Regional Director with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue overseeing the HD Centre’s complex mediation and dialogue efforts in the region. In the Kenyan National Dialogue and Reconciliation Process in 2007-08, she advised the Panel of Eminent African Personalities led by the late Kofi Annan. She has contributed annually to the Oslo Forum, a gathering of the world’s leading experts and policymakers in conflict resolution, and teaches mediation practice internationally.

Dr. Kori Czuy was born in Treaty 8 by the banks of the Peace River. She's passionate about bringing together multiple ways of knowing, being, and doing science, which she gets to do as an Indigenous Science Educational Experience Consultant and through conversations on her podcast "Ancestral Science." Kori is on an ongoing journey to reconnect with and learn from the knowings of the land and cosmos, as well as helping others connect with the complexities of these knowings alongside Global science.

What does "flow" mean to you?

Flow is the connections to energy and spirit that is all around us.

Join us for our 2024 main annual event... FLOW: Connecting the Dots!

The concept of "flow" has been near and dear to our hearts for some time... it's that place of deep thought, profound action, and intense curiosity that takes us to a place of peak performance — whatever our chosen discipline or creative endeavour.

FLOW... it's the focused place in thinking and doing where we find inspiration, get more creative, and enter the space of mastery and peak performance.

Whatever a person's chosen discipline, it's a space where great ideas are born and where great actions come from: in workplaces, in communities, and in society.

Our speakers and performers took the stage to share and connect their ideas in FLOW, and our participants had a chance to dive deep into conversations as part of our interactions zone.

"How do we think our way through the messes we’re in, when the way we think is part of the mess?" – Nora Bateson

This quote, from a recent post by The Ethics Centre, perfectly describes why we called our latest event "Yes, and..." and followed an improvisational approach in selecting our speakers and performers.

Shane Onyou

Shane Onyou arrived on the Calgary drag scene in 2017 as the premier, sexy and sultry Daddy of the community. Throughout his career, Shane has not only been a popular performer at Twisted Element, Fake Mustache at Dicken's Pub, ISCCA events, or frankly anywhere with a stage, but has also been a frontline advocate in the community.

Serving as a 2SLGBTQIA+ activist, Shane's resume of service includes Reading with Royalty through Calgary Pride, online Storytime With Shane, supporting queer youth by providing paid stages for up-and-coming youth drag performers, and sitting on various boards including Okotoks Pride. Building a safer future for the queer youth of today is Shane's highest priority. Safety in the community is a passion for Shane, as he fills the role of head of security at Calgary's most popular queer nightclub, Twisted Element.

From newspaper covers during Pride to evening news segments covering the increasing vitriol toward the queer and drag communities, Shane never hesitates to speak up for the rights of those being targeted by bigotry and hatred. You can frequently find him on podcasts, in interviews, photo essays, and various ad campaigns as he continues to fight for a more equitable world for all. Serving you old school style and eyes that will melt your heart, Shane was Viscount of the Fake Mustache through ISCCA, and brings a unique blend of campyness and sex appeal that has audiences consistently screaming for more!

Shame on you if you've yet to fall in love with Shane Onyou!

King Neptune 

King Neptune has been entertaining across western Canada since 2011 with his suave moves and boyish charm. He danced his way into the hearts of the people and what started as a way to make some friends and have a little fun grew into a beautiful path of self discovery and community connection. Neptune found his passion for drag, performing, and activism, and continues to use his platform to raise awareness about community safety and the importance of diversity.

You can find this king performing on stages across the city, from Twisted Element, to Dicken's Pub, and even your neighborhood Royal Canadian Legion branch. Neptune considers himself a Jack of all trades and loves the challenge of adapting his performances for any and all audiences. He participates in the Reading with Royalty program, which has been successful and well attended for over 5 years, and it remains one of King Neptune's favorite ways to connect with families and allies of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Through his love of reading and performing, he sends the message that everyone belongs and deserves to be celebrated for their uniqueness.

Let him take you on an adventure across the galaxy you’ll never forget. Straight from the stars and onto the stage, it’s King Neptune!

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 who have entered the justice system, with a focus on deterring serious and crimes, reducing demand on policing, reducing crime and disorder, with the goal of increasing community safety.

o His Bureau, specifically the EPS HELP Team, recently received a 2022 Alberta Community Justice Award – celebrating special efforts taken by professionals to contribute to community justice and serving the public. Community justice occurs when the system and community partners work together to make Alberta safer place to live, while supporting those who have been impacted by crime. It acknowledges our collective strength and our ability to go above and beyond in addressing root causes of crime, reacting to it, and serving those who are most vulnerable in our society.

o He spearheaded the organization's LGBTQ2S+ apology and has led, and continues to endorse, the EPS’ Commitment to Action - the largest ever public engagement initiative with the racialized community.

o Enyinnah chairs the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.

Recent Awards include:
• Edify Edmonton's Top 40 Under 40 [2021]
• Queen’s Jubilee Award [2023]

He is the co-founder of REET Institute. This is a social impact platform, offering a unique program designed to train, develop, and mentor high school students to become the next generation of investors, owners, and leaders in the commercial real estate industry.