Lana Bentley

Executive Director, Women's Centre of Calgary

Lana Bentley serves as the Executive Director at the Women's Centre of Calgary. Lana is an award-winning instructor who has taught at Mount Royal University, the University of Calgary, and Bow Valley College. She has an interest in clinical social work, leadership, and clinical supervision. 

Amber Potts

Child Intervention Supervisor, Calgary Children and Family Services

Amber Potts, BSW, is a Child Intervention Supervisor with Calgary Children and Family Services bringing 20 years of experience in child welfare. Amber is passionate about supporting and empowering staff to strengthen practice and improve outcomes for children and families through collaboration and continuous learning. She also supports staff in mentoring practicum students, helping to grow the next generation of social workers.

Dessarae Harder

Manager at Trellis Society

Dessarae Harder, RSW, is a Manager at Trellis Society and a proud MRU alum. With 16 years of experience in the non-profit sector, she brings curiostiy, a strong commitment to DEI, and a talent for turning innovative ideas into practical solutions, when she's off the clock, Dessarae can be found exploring the outdoors or happily covered in clay at the pottery wheel.

Tyrone Rhyno

Manager, Indigenous initative for Wood Homes

Tyrone Rhyno, a Matotisan Asiniy, Tyrone  is the manager of Indigenous initative for Wood Homes. Having been with Wood Homes for eight years, Tyrone continues to support and grow understanding of connecting young people and families to culture. As an Oskpewis who lives a cultural lifestyle, Tyrone is passionate about sharing and connecting people to indigenous Culture and Ceremony.

Janet McFarlane

Calgary and Rural Professional Practice Lead for Social Work, Assisted Living Alberta

Janet McFarlane, MSW, RSW serves as the Calgary and Rural Professional Practice Lead for Social Work within Assisted Living Alberta. With over three decades of experience in teaching, mentoring, leadership. and operations across diverse settings along with research involvement.

Janet is committed to advancing the profession. She is passionate about preparing future social workers and fostering meaningful professional connections and collaboration.

Sarah Dancey-Farrell

Assistant Manager, Unison Elder Abuse Shelter in Calgary

Sarah Dancey-Farrell, RSW, Mount Royal University Social Work department alumni. Presently the Assistant Manager of the Unison Elder Abuse Shelter in Calgary. I am passionate about advocacy, policy and procedure development and providing space for open discussion on Social Work practices and provide those in the field with tools to support themselves, team members, and those accessing the social services sector.

Christine Hall

Director of Programs and Serives, Inn from the Cold Society

Christine Hall, RSW is the Director of Programs and Serives at Inn from the Cold Society, a shelter and housing focused organization dedicated exclusively to supporting families experiencing housing instability and homelessness. With over 30 years of social work, non-profit management, and senior leadership experience, she is deeply committed to the well-being of the diverse families the organization is privileged to serve each day.

Cheryl Bychyk

Social work student, MRU

Cheryl Bychyk is a second-year social work student in the Diploma program at Mount Royal University. With extensive experience in community engagement, leadership, and advocacy, she is committed to empowering marginalized communities and promoting culturally responsive practices that foster reconciliation. Cheryl enjoys mentoring peers, embracing curiosity by learning from diverse perspectives, and is passionate about cultivating inclusive, equitable spaces where individuals feel respected, valued, and heard.

Marissa Poirier

Social work student, MRU

Marissa Poirier is a proud Red River Métis woman in her third-year of the Bachelors of Social Work at Mount Royal University. She is obtaining a concentration in child intervention and a minor in indigenous studies. Her work focuses in Indigenous ethics, with a growing interest in policy development, and youth advocacy.

Kolbi Watmough

Social work student, MRU

Kolbi Watmough (RSW) is a 4th year Bachelor of Social Work student at Mount Royal University. Kolbi was awarded the Governor General's Academic Medal in 2023 and is a recent member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. Kolbi is committed to brining Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion into every space and relationship she encounters.

Cameron Rice

Mental health cousellor, MRU alumni

Cameron Rice, BSW, RSW, is a mental health cousellor and social work practicing in clinics across rural Central Alberta. A proud MRU Bachelor of Sork graduate, he offers strengths-based, trauma informed counselling informed by previous work with unhoused communities in Calgary. Cameron's practice focuses on challenging harmful masculity, improving access to rural mental health care, and integrating mindfulness into daily life.

Andrea Ulrich

Andrea Ulrich, MSW, RSW, CYCC is a program Director at Hull Services. She has over two decades of experience leading and working with programs that foster resilience, enhance wellbeing, and empower children, youth, and families across a variety of non-profit service delivery settings. Andrea is passionate about reflective practice and utilizing a supervisory approach that encourages professional develoment and encourages staff to engage in effective decision making.

Andrea partners an unwavering commitment to providing ethical, evidence-based practice with client-centered and strength-based approaches working toward best outcomes for children, youth, and families.

Bree McClennan

Bree McClellan, BCST, CYCC works for McMan Youth, Family and Community Services as the Coordinator for the COPE (Collaborative Outreach Preventing Exploitation) Program. She has been working within the field of supporting at-risk youth for the past 15 years and has done extensive work around creating collaborative communities, engaging systems in harm reduction practices and mobilizing natural support to youth involved in sexual exploitation.

Courtenay Hick

Courtenay Hick is the Chief Operating Officer of Community Wellness at Trellis Society and a seasoned human services leader with nearly 30 years of experience. In her role, she oversees clinical services, youth and family programs and community wellness initiatives, drawing on deep experiences across homelessness, prevention and the Child and Family Services system of care. Courtenay is passionate about leading innovative teams, advancing equity and indigenous partnership and driving meaningful change for children, families, and communities.

Pennie Sibbald

Pennie Sibbald, MSc CYC, CCYCC, Cert. Adult Ed. is a Learning and Development Coordinator with Hull Services, as well as Board Member and Advanced Practice Chair for the Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta. With over 35 years of experience in Child and Youth Care, Pennie has dedicated her career to supporting children and families and fostering professional growth and excellence in the field.

Katie Toseland

Katie Toseland, B. Child Studies (Child and Youth Care Major, Psychology minor) is a Mentoring Coordinator at Big Brother Big Sisters. She also contributes to her community as a Volunteer Coordinator at Calgary Folks-Festival’s Family Area and Two When View. Katie brings a strong commitment to youth-centered mentorship and natural support, and looks forward to sharing practical, real-world insights with the advisory groups.

Rhyan Boucher

Rhyan Boucher is a fifth-year student in the Bachelor of Studies, Child and Youth Care Counselling major. with a minor in Pscychology. She is currently completing her studies wihile actively engaging in advocacy within the child and youth care field. In 2024, Rhyan furthered her learning in counselling psychology through an international study experience at Glasgow Caledonian University, which deepened her commitment to equity and youth voice in practice.

Makayla Lemus

Makayla Lemus is an undergraduate student in Child Studies, currently completing her final year with a major in Child and Youth Care Counselling. She has gained experience across diverse settings and age groups, including creating early learning materials and developmental tools for young children, as well as supporting young youth in high-risk and high-needs environments, In addition to her frontline work, Makayla has contributed to programming that promotes positive development, safety and wellbeing for children and adolescents. She brisngs a strong passion for language and speech developlment, along with advocating for 2SLGBTQ+ and women's health.

Emma DeCecco

Emma DeCecco (BCST) is a case manager with McMan Child , Youth and Family Services and a graduate of Mount Royal University's Bachelor of Child Studies program, majoring in Child and Youth Care Counselling. Emma has spent the last 5 years working with vulnerably housed or unhoused youth to assist them in obtaining safe and stable housing in addition to life skills development and systems navigation, Emma is currently in the process of completing her Master of Counselling Psychology at Yorkville university.

Janet Stewart

Janet Stewart, Rpsych, is a progam Director at Wood's Homes with close to three decades of experience in youth and family front-line, therapeutic and management roles. Janet is dedicated to increasing the capacity for work integrated learning and practicum placements to support effective career development.

Sharlene Irwin

Sharlene Irwin is the Executive Director of University Child Care Centre Society (UCCCS), a high quality FLIGHT inspired early learning centre that serves as a practicum site for Mount Royal University's ELCC program, where emerging educators learn play based, and child centered practice. Through this work, the UCCCS fosters strong connections between research driven best practices and real-world application in early childhood education. She is passionate about creating environments where both children and educators thrive with joy and purpose, believing that when educators are supported and inspired, children receive exceptional care they deserve.

Korrie-Mae Wizniak

Korrie-Mae Wizniak is the Chief Execuive Oficer of Kids @ CHurchill Park, a Calgary-based non-profit early learning and child care organization operating multiple centre-based and family day home programs. She brings extensive senior leadership experience in early learning, organizational strategy, and non-profit governance, with a strong focus on Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Advisory Committee, she is committed to strengthening connections between post-secondary education, community based-practice, and public policy to support the next generation of early childhood professionals.

Mary-Frances Smith

Mary-Frances Smith, B.Ed., MACE is the Executive Director at the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Alberta (AECEA). With over three decades of working with or for children across diverse settings, combined with experience in research and advocacy, Mary Frances is committed to ensuring we have a system where all children can thrive in our communities and the educators who work with them are well-compensated, well qualified, and well-supported.

Lindsay Littlepoplar

Lindsay Littlepoplar is a 3rd year student at Mount Royal University in Bachelor of Child Studies in Early Learning Child Care program and a 2nd year member of the Child Studies Program Advisory Committee. Working with children has been Lindsay's passion and has been for many years.

Corine Ferguson

Corine Ferguson is the Executive Director of the Alberta Resource Centre for Quality Enhancement-leading the organization in its development and operation since its inception in 2004, In this role, Corine has enjoyed working in partnership with the child care sector to provide capacity buildling strategies, resources, and professional development opportunities specific to early learning and care services across Alberta. Corine holds a MAster;s degree specializing in Early Learning Education. Corine has also supported sessional course delivery for both the Elementary Education Program at University of ALberta, and a course instructor for McEwan University's Early Learning and Child Care program supporting delivery of the Exploring Exploring Early CHildhood Curriculum course.

Cheryl Crowther

Cheryl Crowther is the Director at Child Development Dayhomes. A level 3 ECE with Diploma in Disabilities Studies and ceritifcates in Children's mental Health and Child and Youth Human rights. Cheryl is passionate about learning and childcare and in particular licensed family child care (dayhomes).

Rachel Duncan

Rachel Duncan, MEd, is a proud MRU alumni with over 20 years of experience in the early learning sector as an early childhood educator and program director. She currently teaches in the Early Childhood Education program at Bow Valley College and serves on the board of Calgary Reggio Network Association. Rachel is passionate about expanding our collective understanding of place-focused pedagogy and its impact on early learning.

Shannon Stewart

Shannon brings 30 years of experience in early childhood education, grounded in both post-secondary study and rich, hands-on leadership in the field. Her long-standing involvement with the Curriculum Supports Project (Flight) gives her deep insight into curriculum, pedagogical leadership. and the realities of supporting educators in diverse program contexts. As a preschool director of 17 years and a provincial pedagogical partner, she offers unique dual perspective-someone who both teaches and actively practices responsive, relfective, and relationship-centered pedagogy. Shannon contributes thoughtful evidence-informed insights, a strong understanding of current sector challenges, and a commitment to elevating the profession through meaningful collaboration, mentorship, and curriculum-focused advocacy.

Katelyn Hamilton

Katelyn Hamilton, BCST, is the Assistant Director at Mount Royal Early Learning Centre. She has worked in the early learning sector for 16 years in a few different capacities; working alongside and supporting dedicated educators in a classroom setting, providing leadership to children and families in Child Care, Preschool and Out of School programs, as well as organizing professional growth and networking opportunities for educators in the field. She is committed to ongoing learning, building confidence and capacities, and highly values supportive relationships, teamwork and shared leadership. 

Maria Valenti

Maria Valenti is the Executive Director of Mount Royal Early Learning Centre, providing leadership in Child Care, Preschool and Out of School Care programs. She is passionate about pedagogical leadership and creating inclusive, relationship-based environments grounded in the principle of Flight.  Maria is committed to supporting children, families and educators through reflection, collaboration and lifelong learning.