Speakers

In 1978, Marilyn began her training to become a Registered Nurse. Her first job was working as a nurse's aide in Yorkton and her first RN position was at the old Saskatoon City Hospital, where, at the wise age of 21 years, was regularly in charge of an acute care med/surg unit holidays, weekends and nights. She moved to Edmonton to earn her degree in nursing and worked cardiology at the U of A Hospital, eventually moving to Calgary in 1987 and securing a position in CCU at the Foothills Hospital. Clinical practice expanded to include neurology, Health Link and palliative home care. She even did a stint as a nurse on the Stampede Grounds! Through virtually all of Marilyn's 48 years of work in direct patient care, the reality of death was a frequent undercurrent and her heart broke to see people so painfully unprepared to deal with it. Once she was no longer an employee, "Death Maven" was born.

After retiring from bedside nursing in April 2024, Marilyn decided to provide “death literacy” education and advocate for a safe space where no question is off the table. People often yearn for a different type of conversation but don't know how to begin. Marilyn's company “Death Maven”, takes the holistic approach and normalizes the death conversation. She has spoken at nursing conferences and created online webinars. Occasional public speaking has become a regularly scheduled “Death Café”, showcasing Canadian films and documentaries with content guided by Canadian nurses. Following the films, questions and discussions are guided by a seasoned palliative care nurse. This work is necessary because death hasn't changed, but the way we navigate it has.

Stephanie Christensen (she/her) is the Executive Director of ShelterBox Canada and a humanitarian professional. Stephanie started her career in International Development working for CIDA and local charities throughout East Africa developing curriculum for HIV/AIDS Education in primary schools. After living and working in Kenya during the famine in 2011, Stephanie moved into the humanitarian disaster relief field. She has been with ShelterBox Canada for 12 years, and is working to ensure that no one is left without shelter and supplies after disasters. In addition to her work here in Canada, Stephanie has been part of the in country team on four occasions with ShelterBox – in Fiji after Cyclone Winston, in Ecuador after the Earthquake in 2016, in the Philippines after Tropical Storm Urduja and most recently in Moldova as part of the Ukraine crisis response. She currently lives in Burlington, ON with her husband and two daughters, and loves to cook, read and travel.

Stephanie will join us from Toronto via Zoom.

Summary of presentation: Learn more about Calgary Meals on Wheels through the story of our mission and vision, operations and programs, the opportunities and challenges we face, and the impact of our work in the community. We’ll also talk about how you can get involved as a volunteer and make a tangible difference in the community.

Bio – Esther Elder, CEO

Esther Elder is the CEO of Calgary Meals on Wheels, the largest Meals on Wheels organization in Canada, providing over a million meals annually to those facing food insecurity. With a background in psychology from the University of Calgary and a certification in Community Economic Development from Simon Fraser University, Esther blends her understanding of human behavior with strategic leadership to drive meaningful social initiatives.

Born in the Netherlands and immigrating to Canada in 1975, Esther’s early experiences with food insecurity shaped her lifelong commitment to helping vulnerable populations. With 25 years in the nonprofit sector, she has championed community building and social change.

As a leader, Esther is known for her collaborative approach, implementing initiatives that enhance service delivery and outcomes. She is also committed to continuous learning, with certifications in Change Management, Indigenous Canada, and Corporate Governance, which have strengthened her ability to lead through complex challenges.

Esther’s work embodies a deep belief in the power of community and the importance of addressing food insecurity with both compassion and strategic action.

Bio – Lauren Knowles, Volunteer Recruitment & Engagement Coordinator

Lauren Knowles is the Volunteer Recruitment & Engagement Coordinator at Calgary Meals on Wheels. She is passionate about connecting people to causes through volunteering and creating meaningful experiences for volunteers. With a background in Volunteer Management and as a lifetime volunteer herself, Lauren understands the volunteer experience and continuously strives to find creative ways to engage and involve volunteers. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys reading, birding, and hiking.

 

Happy Victoria Day!

Wishing everyone a wonderful long weekend filled with celebration, relaxation, and Canadian pride. Enjoy the fireworks, time with family and friends, and the unofficial start to summer! ☀️

This week's meeting will provide Club Committtee reports and the Story of one of our Club Members.

AI is real, but the hype often hides what it takes to get real value. In this session for business leaders, I’ll explain why trusted, scalable AI starts with investing in a solid knowledge foundation, just like a successful building starts with the right base. We’ll make it tangible through a heritage arts organization that is leveraging AI to digitize archives dating back to 1883, enabling visitors to ask simple questions and instantly learn an artwork’s story and provenance. Using the art archive, I’ll provide an overview of what it takes to build a knowledge foundation that scales AI, keeps answers trustworthy, and powers premium digital experiences that grow engagement, loyalty, and revenue.

Mike Morley Bio:

At Neo4j, I work “at the face,” the front line where technology meets the real world. I help organizations close the gap between AI hype and implementation by building the knowledge foundations that make AI reliable, scalable, and valuable.

Previously, I founded Menome Technologies (acquired by Arcurve in 2020) and spent 11 years at Matrix Solutions leading enterprise architecture and technology strategy. I also support Calgary’s innovation and arts communities as an A100 Charter Member, Arcurve Community Advisor, and board member with The Kinkonauts.