Speakers

Award-winning speaker Tracey Lorenson is known for her humour and candour in helping her clients manage difficult situations. Her warm, energetic style combines her leadership experience, practical advice and real-life examples that resonate with audiences of all levels. With a keen interest in problem-solving, Tracey has developed a series of proven techniques that help organizations identify their issues and take action to improve their situation.

Tracey has worked with local governments in a variety of capacities for more than 20 years. After 6 years practicing workplace law in the public sector, Tracey was Executive VP for E-Comm, provider of 911 fire, police and ambulance services for local governments in southern BC. In her current role as the principal in the management consulting firm CivicExcellence/Paragon Strategic Services Ltd, Tracey improves her clients’ ability to perform by working with both elected and staff on areas that include conflict resolution, strategic planning and leadership training.

A sought-after lecturer, Tracey has spoken extensively on a variety of topics including leadership, strategic planning, human resources, governance, and developing regional strategies. In addition, she has lectured at UBC’s Faculty of Law, Royal Roads University, Capilano University, the Justice Institute of BC, the Local Government Leadership Academy and is a member of the faculty for BC’s Local Government Management Association’s MATI programs.

Tracey has recently founded "CivicExcellence" an online community for eLearning and connection for local government professionals

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As a highly experienced executive search consultant, Anurag is an integral part of the Leaders International leadership team. A strategic thinker, he has been keenly involved in the firm’s growth since 1997 and has recruited entire executive teams for multiple client organizations. He has also worked closely with numerous boards of directors from government, industry, and the not-for-profit sector. In 1994, Anurag entered the field of human resources and management consulting, and his experience includes executive recruiting, career counseling, and coaching. He is highly knowledgeable in contract development and alternate compensation strategies and has consulted in change management. Anurag obtained his master’s degree from the University of Alberta plus formal training in recruitment and hiring from Simon Fraser University. He is a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and a Chartered Professional in Human Resources. He currently sits on the Board of Covenant Health Foundation and Downtown Rotary Club. He is also a member of a National CEO Forum Group in Edmonton.

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Partner at our Edmonton office since 2023, Sonny has been a pivotal member of the team since 2011. With over 15 years of extensive international and North American experience in executive search, Sonny has honed exceptional expertise in identifying and placing top-tier executives across various industries and sectors. Known for his ability to forge impactful and enduring relationships, Sonny's approach is both strategic and personable, making him a trusted advisor to clients and a guiding mentor to candidates.

Sonny earned his bachelor’s degree in hospitality management at Widener University in the United States. He has served on the Advisory Council for the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and is an active member of the Edmonton Executives Association.

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John provides corporate governance advice to municipal and other public sector bodies, and also assists private businesses and corporate clients with their various business and legal needs.

In his municipal practice, John advises public sector clients on a broad range of corporate and commercial legal matters, including helping clients collaborate on partnerships for the regional provision of services.

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Chris came to Brownlee as an associate in the Business Services group in late 2021, where he carries on a general corporate and commercial law practice. Chris delivers a wide variety of legal services to Brownlee’s corporate clients, with particular expertise on issues involving both private and public entities.

Prior to joining Brownlee, Chris began his legal career with Alberta Justice, providing legal services to clients in the Treasury Board and Finance ministry, with a focus on insurance regulation and policy, contracting and procurement, and unclaimed property matters, in addition to assisting with several major legislative projects. This experience gives Chris a unique background and insight when providing advice to Brownlee’s clients, particularly those in the public sector.

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Alifeyah’s primary areas of practice are planning and development, including drafting planning documents, teaching and advocacy, general counsel and governance, and litigation.

Alifeyah has represented municipalities before the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, the Land and Property Rights Tribunal, the Alberta Utilities Commission, the Alberta Court of Justice, the Court of King’s Bench and the Court of Appeal. Alifeyah also practices in the areas of municipal enforcement and policy development.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Alifeyah obtained her Bachelor of Arts and her Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta. She taught high school for six years in Edmonton before pursuing a career in law.

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Jesse Lipscombe is one of Canada’s leading keynote speakers. He is an expert on leadership, diversity, equity and inclusion. Jesse has inspired organizations to make significant changes in workplace communities to create collaborative and inspired teams. Educators trust him to instill confidence in youth and challenge them to be more inclusive and accepting. Major institutions and leading speaker series trust Jesse to educate and inspire their audiences. A few of his former clients include Canadian Tire, Loblaws, Kraft, University of Alberta, Shopify, and Giants of Africa.

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Zarmina Faqiryar is an investigator with the Alberta Ombudsman Office and holds seven years of government experience, including time with Income Support and the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped programs. Before her career with the provincial government, Zarmina worked for the Government of Canada, specifically in immigration and with Service Canada. Zarmina proudly holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Mount Royal University. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, staying active and spending time with her family and pets.

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Michele Soroka is the new Outreach and Engagement lead with the Alberta Ombudsman office. Prior to joining the office, she specialized in digital, print and web media for The Canadian Brewhouse and The Brick Warehouse. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from MacEwan University. Her genuine passion for learning and her commitment to making a meaningful impact continually drive her journey as she settles into her new role. Outside her dedicated work, she finds happiness with her two cats and is active with tennis and soccer.

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Wendy Peters is the Manager of the Capacity Services team in the Municipal Services Division. Wendy has been with the department since 2000, developing and managing the Municipal Internship Program, Minister’s Awards, and other capacity building initiatives. More recently, Wendy has delved into the world of dispute resolution, collaboration, and regional service delivery.

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Cindy Miller Reade is a Municipal Collaboration Advisor who has been part of Municipal Affairs since 1999. Originally hired as a Planning Advisor who also supported the mediation initiative, Cindy’s interest in dispute resolution and intermunicipal cooperation has included roles as the Case Manager for Intermunicipal Disputes with the Municipal Government Board and Manager of Intermunicipal Planning. Cindy was drawn to mediation and facilitation to engage in conversation, build consensus and constructively disagree.

A Registered Professional Planner, Cindy is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson) and the University of Guelph. She resides in Edmonton and enjoys finding new coffee shops with yummy pastries

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Lucien has been a Municipal Advisor for Municipal Affairs for over five years. He has been a member of the Society of Local Government Managers since 2007 and has worked in the field for a number of municipalities in central and northern Alberta since October 1990. The main focus of his field work was with legislative services and council processes, with a side helping of development control. He prides himself in excelling at dad jokes and has been known to infuse the odd one during presentations.

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Having joined Municipal Affairs in 2016, Angela is a Municipal Advisor with the Municipal Advisory and Capacity Unit. In this role, Angela is part of a team that supports municipalities by providing advisory support to council(s), administration, and the public, delivering workshops, and performing advisory visits. Prior to joining Municipal Affairs, Angela worked in local government administration in various capacities for nine years. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta as well as Level 1 of the National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration (NACLAA).

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