Introducing the Calgary Community Advisory Board 2024-2026

Hey STORYHIVE community! It’s Emily here again, writing from the TELUS Local Content team. Last month on the blog, I shared the remarkable community members taking part in the Community Advisory Boards program in Vancouver. Today we’re heading East and meeting our board members from Calgary!

I’m thrilled to tell you a bit more about the passionate professionals, artists, advocates and community leaders that will play a vital role in shaping our program development and content funding strategy.

Meet our Community Advisory Board members from Calgary:

Keri Miller is the Chief Creative Strategist at e=mc² events, a globally recognized event management and production agency based in Calgary and operating around the world. In her strategic role, Keri oversees the company’s marketing and communications and plays a key part in shaping the organization's people and culture.

Keri is a globally recognized leader in the event industry. She was honoured with the inaugural Leslee Bell Spirit of the Industry Award in 2022 and has been named one of the Top 250 Event Professionals in Canada and one of the Top 500 Most Influential People in Events in the world. Keri continues to shape the future of the industry through her mentorship, scholarship initiatives and frequent speaking engagements on both business and creative topics.

"This is my second term on the CAB and I'm really excited about meeting with new and past board members to dive further into the programs. It's thrilling to hear about the people and stories that exist in our city and I'm excited to engage with my community to amplify the content. I'm so proud of the TELUS Local Content program and the work that they are doing!" - Keri Miller

Lisa-Jane Hayfron is an experienced marketing and communications professional with over 8 years of experience in developing and executing multi-channel marketing strategies, leading impactful B2C and B2B events and building strategic partnerships. A dynamic leader and team player, she combines creativity with strategy to drive engagement, foster innovation and accelerate brand growth. Moreover, as a Member Experience Co-Chair at the Black Canadian, she leads online and in-person events and drives member engagement, tackling systemic barriers to career advancement and championing the inclusion of Canadian Black women in the marketing sector.

“I am Ghanaian-Canadian and have deep roots in my African heritage and the Black community. I am passionate about creating platforms that elevate and amplify voices that have been historically overlooked. With my experience, I am excited to help the board share the rich stories of the Black experience, highlighting representation and crafting vibrant spaces that honour and celebrate diverse narratives.” - Lisa-Jane Hayfron

Mitch Kern is an Associate Professor and Director of the School of Communication Design at the Alberta University of the Arts in Calgary. He has an MFA in Photography from Penn State University and a BA in Visual Art from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. His research explores themes of identity and belonging in society and nature. See his work on Instagram @wildsuburb.

“Thank you for the opportunity to support a diverse array of local content creators within the Calgary creative community.” - Mitch Kern

Patricia Anne Duquette is a multidisciplinary artist with a long career in the performing arts that expanded to include live action film, media art, visual art and immersive interactive artworks. In addition to co-founding arts and social justice festivals she has written, produced, directed, coordinated and performed in countless productions over the course of more than three decades. 

“Telling our own stories encourages viewer relationship to people and places, and promotes a sense of belonging. I look forward to participating in this initiative to bring more diverse and resonating regional content to the screen!” - Patricia Anne Duquette 

Sherri Kellock is a member of the Bigstone Cree Nation and has been involved in advancing truth and reconciliation, personally and professionally, throughout her life.  She has three children and is passionate about human rights, equity and equality as well as the arts. Sherri possesses many years experience in programming, strategic planning, board and community involvement and advocating for and working with Indigenous youth initiatives. 

“I look forward to supporting opportunities which create safe space for others to share their truth and story telling.  Historically, and present day, many populations have not had equal opportunities to share their stories and truth, typically there has been one narrative told.  Diverse stories and experiences, shared by the many people and nations in this area, weave the colourful fabric of this land and culture and it is especially important to acknowledge and honour the original care takers of this land as well, the Indigenous peoples of Treaty 7.” - Sherri Kellock

About Teddy Manywounds: “I am the current Director for G4 Justice for the G4 First Nations in Alberta, comprised of Tsuutina, Chiniki, Wesley and Bearspaw First Nations. In my work, I explore the systems of justice that are integral to the growth and benefit of First Nations and connected communities. I am honoured to provide a safe, equitable and compassionate space for First Nations people to share stories and educate those who may not have awareness of the experiences of First Nations people. I work in several volunteer capacities in the community and sit on several boards and commissions, both provincially and federally.”

“It is my honour and gratitude to work on behalf of those who have experienced past injustice, and it is my hope that we may collectively find new and innovative ways of administering justice in our First Nations communities.” - Teddy Manywounds

William O’Yeung is a Chartered Professional Accountant with an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary. His 30-year career at Shell Canada includes positions in accounting, planning, project management and leadership. His desire to help others contributed to him being a Board Member of Shell Canada’s Community Service Fund, participant of United Way of Calgary’s campaign, coach in Calgary Minor Soccer and Basketball Associations and Adult Mentor of U.S. Department of State’s Youth Ambassador Program. He is currently supporting the University of Calgary as the Vice-Chair/Vice-President of their Alumni Association, member of the Board of Governors and a Senator with membership on the DEI sub-committee. He is the Co-founder, Director and active volunteer of Escape with STEM, a non-profit organization which inspires Indigenous youths to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) careers.

“I love local stories as they are the bloodline of true impacts to a community - the people, their goals/dreams, their actions/achievements and most importantly, their impacts.” - William O’Yeung

Thank you to our Calgary board members. I’m so grateful and looking forward to our ongoing work together. 

Stay tuned on the STORYHIVE blog to meet our final group of board members coming from Edmonton!