Julian Gelfand
Always Beyond Corp.
Julian Gelfand has been fascinated by technology from a young age, not just by the machinery and software, but by its potential to transform lives, simplify tasks, and connect people. He was never as interested in how things worked as in how they could work better. That curiosity led him into IT and eventually to co-founding Always Beyond.
Julian helped build the company on a simple frustration: IT had become something businesses endured, with confusing packages, slow support, and jargon that often left people feeling small. He believed it could be the opposite.
Today, Julian leads operations at Always Beyond, an employee-owned boutique managed services firm based in Calgary. The company provides managed IT, cybersecurity, and cloud services to growing businesses across Alberta and beyond, measuring success on relationships first and technology second.
What Julian cares about most is helping business owners stop worrying about IT, building a team where everyone feels valued and heard, and proving that doing right by clients is also the smartest way to grow. He believes technology should give organizations an edge, and he enjoys helping businesses discover how to make that happen.
Workshops
Other speakers & attendees
Jeff Loomis
Momentum
Jeff works as the Executive Director of Momentum - a change-making organization that combines social and economic strategies to reduce poverty in Calgary. Momentum partners with people living on lower-incomes to get good jobs, create their own job through self-employment and save money to build their assets.
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Catherine Bell
The Awakened Company
Catherine Bell is the Founder and CEO of The Awakened Company. She is an entrepreneur, leadership expert, executive coach, and bestselling author, Catherine has spent more than two decades helping leaders and organizations flourish through greater self-awareness, courageous leadership, and healthy culture.
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Carla Link
YWCA Calgary
Carla Link is the Director of Communications & Community Relations at YWCA Calgary, where she leads communications, advocacy, government relations, and community engagement initiatives that strengthen public trust and advance organizational impact.
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Sage McIntosh
Calgary Co-op
Sage Pullen McIntosh is the Director of Communications with Calgary Co-op.
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Colby Delorme
Imagination Group
Colby Delorme is President of the Imagination Group of Companies and a Métis entrepreneur with experience spanning construction, brand development, marketing, certification, franchise development, tobacco manufacturing, and business consulting.
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Kailey Armstrong
YWCA Calgary
Kailey Armstrong is the Director of Economic Prosperity at YWCA Calgary, where she leads initiatives that help women build financial confidence, grow businesses, and pursue meaningful careers.
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Adaeze Hubbard
Calgary John Howard Society
Adaeze Hubbard is the Director of Employment and Social Enterprise at the Calgary John Howard Society, where she leads workforce development and social enterprise initiatives that create employment opportunities for individuals facing barriers and support long term community impact.
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Meaghan Bell
Calgary Housing
Meaghan Bell is the Leader, Programs & System Planning at Calgary Housing Company, bringing over 15 years of experience advancing research, policy, and program innovation to improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and housing instability. She leads strategic initiatives focused on housing stability, service transformation, and system improvement.
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Barb Rallison
StartWork
Barb serves as the Associate Director at the Institute for Community Prosperity. Her work, both locally and nationally, focuses on applying economic approaches to advance community benefit and address complex social challenges.
moreJulian Gelfand
Always Beyond Corp.
Julian Gelfand is the Co-Founder and Operations Lead at Always Beyond, a Calgary-based employee-owned managed services firm, where he helps businesses simplify IT, cybersecurity, and cloud technology. Passionate about building strong relationships and client-centered solutions, he believes technology should empower people and give businesses a competitive edge.
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Jenna Walsh
Elevated Escapes
Owner of Elevated Escapes, Social Business Coordinator with Be Local YYC, and Co-founder of GOT Foundation
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Joe-Ann Schlosser
The Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association (HSCA)
Joe-Ann Schlosser is the Executive Director of the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association (HSCA), bringing more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience and a passion for community engagement, collaboration, and social innovation.
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Jeff Dyer
Trellis Society
Jeff Dyer is the CEO of Trellis Society, bringing more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience in poverty reduction, affordable housing, youth development, and homelessness prevention.
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Alyssa Lindsay
Calgary Foundation
Alyssa Lindsay is a Capacity Building Associate at Calgary Foundation, where she supports community building and nonprofit capacity through research, facilitation, and collaborative learning. With more than 15 years of experience in social innovation, design thinking, and systems change, she is passionate about strengthening communities and driving meaningful social impact.
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Angela Clarke
Trellis Society
Angela Clarke is the Chief Strategy Officer at Trellis Society, where she leads initiatives focused on addressing complex social challenges through collaboration, innovation, and strategic partnerships. She is passionate about creating lasting community impact through affordable housing, philanthropy, government relations, and organizational growth.
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Marnie Kubista
Radiance Family Society
Executive Director of Radiance Family Society, a leader with over 20 years of experience in the Calgary area.
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Randy Poon
Purpose and Performance Project
Chief Story Officer and Founder of the Purpose and Performance Project, a consulting and coaching collaborative that helps leaders and organizations align purpose with impact.
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Hayley Bell
Spinal Cord Injury Alberta
Hayley Bell is the Communications and Fundraising Lead at Spinal Cord Injury Alberta, where she develops fundraising, partnership, and engagement strategies that support individuals and families living with spinal cord injuries. She is passionate about building inclusive communities and strengthening the long-term sustainability of the nonprofit sector.
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Alina Turner
HelpSeeker
Alina Turner is the CEO & Co-Founder of HelpSeeker Technologies, where she leverages technology, data, and community engagement to address complex social challenges and create lasting social impact. With a PhD in Anthropology and extensive experience in social innovation and systems change, she is a recognized leader in using AI and technology to strengthen communities.
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Bill Zheng
RadiCare Ventures
Bill Zheng is the President and CEO of RadiCare Ventures, a Calgary-based social enterprise that creates employment opportunities for people facing barriers while strengthening community resilience, public safety, and inclusive workforce participation.
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Alex Laidlaw
Calgary Foundation
Alex Laidlaw is the Director, Impact Investments at Calgary Foundation, where he manages the impact loan program and supports charities and nonprofits in using innovative financing to accelerate community impact. He is passionate about advancing social good through impact investing and community-focused partnerships.
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Stephanie Jackman
Local Investing YYC
Director of the Board, Co-chair of the Fund Development Committee
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Suzanne Braun
Relish Ideas
Suzanne Braun is the Founder and Managing Partner of Relish Ideas, a Certified B Corporation and award-winning branding, marketing, and digital agency. She is a leader in branding, innovation, and digital strategy, helping organizations grow through creative, purpose-driven solutions while supporting entrepreneurship and community impact.
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Philip Lozano
Momentum/SVI: Alberta
Over a decade of experience working in social enterprise, with a focus on community and grassroot initiatives
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Natalie Noble
Calgary John Howard Society
Natalie Noble is an executive director at the Calgary John Howard Society, where she leads programs aimed at tackling the root causes of crime through housing, education, employment, and restorative justice.
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Talia Bell
YWCA Calgary
Talia Bell is the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Calgary, where she leads strategic initiatives that advance safety, equity, and opportunity for women and families through innovation, partnerships, and community impact.
moreColby Delorme
Imagination Group of Companies
As President of the Imagination Group of Companies, Colby Delorme has led ventures across construction, brand development, marketing, certification, franchise development, ceremonial tobacco manufacturing, and business consulting.
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Laura Keating-Elske
People & Planet Consulting
Laura Keating-Elske helps guide thoughtful decisions in service of people and the planet. She is a cofounder and Decision Science Lead at People & Planet Consulting, supporting purpose-driven organizations in turning complexity into clear, actionable pathways.
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Brenda Kinnie
Spinal Cord Injury Alberta,
Brenda Kinnie is the CEO of Spinal Cord Injury Alberta, where she helps organizations navigate complexity, strengthen impact, and achieve long-term sustainability through strategic, authentic leadership.
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Kurt White
Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking
Kurt White is the Social Innovation Specialist at the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, where he supports leaders in creating positive social impact through purpose-driven ventures.
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Kristi Lalach
Calgary Co-op
Kristi Lalach is the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary with Calgary Co-op.
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Lisa Gareau
Candy Event Consulting
Lisa Gareau is the founder of Candy Event Consulting, where she helps in-house and do-it-yourself event planners create successful, meaningful events through coaching, strategy, and planning resources. With a lifelong passion for event planning and over a decade of experience as a Connection Strategy Coach, she is dedicated to empowering others to achieve better event outcomes.
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Guy Levesque
Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking
Guy Levesque is the Executive Director of the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, where he helps foster entrepreneurial mindsets and supports the next generation of innovators and changemakers. With more than 30 years of experience across research, innovation, education, and industry partnerships, he is passionate about advancing innovation and unlocking human potential.
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Heather Jansen
Calgary Dream Centre
Heather Jansen is the Social Enterprise Manager at Calgary Dream Centre, where she leads mission-driven ventures that create employment opportunities and drive social impact. She is passionate about using business as a tool for social change and helping shape the growing social enterprise sector in Calgary and beyond.
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