2024 Keynote/Featured Speakers
Keynote announcements coming soon
Tareq Hadhad
Tareq Hadhad is telling his story. He was a Syrian refugee and now living his new life with his entrepreneurial family in Canada’s east coast. He is the founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate, the recipient of the EY Entrepreneur of The Year 2021 for Atlantic, named one of the Top 25 Immigrants in The Maritimes, selected by Google as the National Hero Case, was awarded RBC’s top Immigrant Award and Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020 and Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Medal. All of this has happened since Tareq’s arrival on Canada’s East Coast in December 2015 as a Syrian-Canadian newcomer.
Dr. Christina Fox
Iitsisaanoowa (Vision Beyond), Elder Christina Fox has worked for the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division for over 20 years. During that time, she has shared her Blackfoot knowledge and traditions with students and staff at many of the division’s schools. Fox shares her knowledge of the Blackfoot way of life and teachings, thereby tending to the spirit, soul and heart of those in her care. She offers Blackfoot language classes, drumming, beading, teepee teachings, information on the importance of land acknowledgements, serves as an Elder in Residence for kindergarten students and is a spiritual guide for staff. Fox recently published a book titled My Suitcase: Nii Sookayis. The book begins with her first memory of residential school and is a story about triumph, celebration and sharing one’s gifts.
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 Laurie 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 and her 2 appearances on The Ellen Show Laurie strives to bring teachers together in community and to define and exemplify what it truly means to be a ‘teacher these days’.
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.