Non-Profit Day 2025
Schedule.
Opening Remarks!
Pascal has worked with Alberta Counsel for many years and has been active in Alberta politics for over two decades. Starting with the NDP caucus when Raj Pannu was leader, Pascal has experienced the rapidly changing political environment in Alberta firsthand, spending most of his time with the NDP as outreach coordinator when caucus only had four MLAs. Over the years, Pascal has had many roles with the party, including organizing (both provincial and federal), leaders tour, candidate recruitment and candidate.
Pascal has a BA from the University of Alberta and a master’s degree in Media and International Development from the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. Born in Switzerland, Pascal moved to rural Alberta (Millet) with his family in 1993. He and his wife Carla, along with two young daughters, reside in Edmonton.
June 17, 8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
State of the Sector
8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
The non-profit sector is facing rapidly evolving challenges. Learn about current trends and issues facing us as we try to navigate the uncertainty of the nonprofit landscape. Hear about what’s being done to address these challenges and what we can do collectively to create our own path forward.
Speaker: Gemma Dunn
Breakout Sessions.
10:20 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
Session 1A:
Happy Workplaces and How to Foster Them
Healthy workplaces are more than just work/life balance. As nonprofits, many of us have tools at our disposal to create a workplace experience that reduces stress, fosters creativity, and encourages flexibility. Join our session of panelists who will share their stories about changes they’ve made in their organizations to help mitigate unhealthy work environments.
Colin Johnson - Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues
Emily Slasynski - United Way of the Alberta Capital Region
Lauren Wheeler - Alberta Museums Association
Michelle Harvey - REACH Edmonton
Session 1B:
Engaging Across Political Polarities
As we approach the municipal elections in Alberta, our political discourse is becoming increasingly divisive. However, it’s important to reach across that divide and understand those who think and feel differently. Our panelists will discuss the importance of civil conversation and how to create a meaningful understanding of the issues at hand.
Speakers: Jared Wesley, Aileen Burke, Travis Olson
Session 1C:
Legal Implications of Using AI and the Policies You Need
Artificial Intelligence is widely used, but many don’t understand its implications. Knowing how your teams use your organization's assets is crucial, whether we use sensitive data, confidential client information, or proprietary information. This presentation will help you understand what you need to pay attention to and how to mitigate the inherent risks of using AI.
Speakers: Lawyer – Nick Blanchette, David Feldman
Lunch
11:50 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Plenary:
Impact of Provincial Legislative Changes
An overview of the legislative changes introduced in the 2024-2025 legislative sessions that significantly impact the nonprofit sector. Hear from the government relations and legal experts at Alberta Counsel as they talk about the potential impact of these changes.
Speaker: Aileen Burke/Jon Wescott
12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Break
1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
From the Health Statutes Amendment Acts to the Compassionate Intervention Act, the implications coming from the province could be enormous. Expanding on the overview from the lunch plenary, Alberta Counsel will dive deeper into several new pieces of legislation that the human services sector needs to pay attention to and what they mean for you.
Session 2A:
Legislative Impacts – Human Services Deep Dive
Speaker: Aileen Burke/Jon Wescott
Session 2B:
Getting Your Message Out in 2025 and Beyond
From traditional news outlets to social media, blogs, and podcasts, getting your story out and your message heard is becoming increasingly difficult. Stories about our causes are essential; decision-makers and the public must listen to and understand them. Join our panel of local media experts as they help us rethink how to get our messages heard and garner media attention.
Panelists: Mack Male - Co-founder and CEO of Taproot Publishing
Kelly Banks (CBC)
Session 2C:
Confident Governance in Changing Times
As the landscape of nonprofit governance evolves, so do the responsibilities and expectations of our boards. From legislative updates to emerging legal considerations, today’s boardrooms are navigating increasingly complex terrain. This engaging session will empower board members and senior leaders with the clarity and confidence to tackle the governance conversations about their future. Together, we’ll explore what matters most as we create governance models for our organizations, explore key legal and regulatory shifts, and share practical strategies for leading with integrity, foresight, and resilience.
Panelists: David Feldman, Doug Tweddle, Ed Picard
Break
3:00 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Keynote
A Better World is On Her Way: Meeting the Moment with Hope and Imagination
Nonprofits and philanthropy have always been vital to a strong and vibrant community. As our world faces unprecedented challenges and our sector contends with challenges like reduced funding and increased attacks, it’s time to own our power, build solidarity, and reimagine a better sector and world. This means letting go of many philosophies and hangups that have been holding us back, adopting new ones in every area of our work, and fully embracing our values of equity and justice.