2026 Keynote Speakers
Keynote announcements coming soon
Laurie McIntosh
Some of the best lessons are taught in the moments between literacy and numeracy. These golden moments based on kindness, connection and community are the moments this kindergarten teacher and author lives for. With compassion and thoughtfulness, Laurie has an incredible way of acknowledging the accomplishments of educators and affirms them as they journey on their paths, cheering them on as they use connection and relationship to revolutionize their practice. Storyteller, light bringer and dreamer, Laurie uses her 20+ years in education to forge new paths. With the stories she held writing ‘Teachers These Days’ with Dr. Jody Carrington, her 2 appearances on The Ellen Show and her appearance on Season 2 of Traitors Canada, Laurie strives to bring teachers together in community and to define and exemplify what it truly means to be a ‘teacher these days’.
Andrew Stobo Sniderman & Douglas Sanderson
ANDREW STOBO SNIDERMAN is a writer, lawyer and Rhodes Scholar from Montreal. He has written for the New York Times, the Globe and Mail and Maclean’s. He has also argued before the Supreme Court of Canada, served as the human rights policy advisor to the Canadian minister of foreign affairs, and worked for a judge of South Africa’s Constitutional Court. DOUGLAS SANDERSON (AMO BINASHII) is Beaver Clan, from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. He is a Fulbright Scholar, and holds the Prichard Wilson Chair in Law and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. Professor Sanderson has served as senior Advisor to the government of Ontario, in the offices of the Attorney General and Aboriginal Affairs.
Marco Corbo
Marco Corbo is well known in Edmonton's music scene and has been recognized by the Edmonton Sun as one of Edmonton's Top Emerging Artists. Following commercial radio success with his band, Marco recorded an intimate acoustic album in 2014. Enlisting the help of keyboardist Rami Jaffee (Foo Fighters, Wallflowers), guitarist Joel Shearer (Alanis Morissette), and long-time bandmate and friend Jeremy Kornel, the album again had commercial radio success, particularly the title track Love on the Radio, receiving radio play in Canada and the United States.
Christine Holubec-Jackson
Christine is a multiple hemorrhagic stroke and brain surgery survivor. Like many people, she never thought it could happen to her. She has written two personal memoirs, two children’s books, one about stroke and one about concussion, and hosted a podcast series, all with a focus on brain injury. I also volunteer with Covenant Health. I’ve created a presentation and had the privilege to share it with The Edmonton and Calgary Women’s Shows, The Sacred Heart Women’s Retreat, The Leduc Brain Injury Support Group and The Beaumont Seniors Group. Coming up she has the honor of speaking at The Alberta Brain Injury Conference, The West Coast Women’s Show in Vancouver, the Edmonton Women’s Show, and the NCTCA Teachers conference. Christine lives in Wetaskiwin, Alberta with her husband, and is on a mission to share her message while managing her disability.