Speakers

Jennifer Barroll

The Generational Advantage: Leveraging Generational Strengths to Build Stronger Teams

With decades of corporate leadership experience across multiple industries and a background in leadership psychology, Jennifer Barroll has carved a unique niche in the business world through her transformational approach to leadership and culture development. She brings a refreshing, human-centred strategy to developing stronger leaders and more connected cultures and, as a seasoned corporate strategist and stand-up comedian, delivers research-driven keynotes that are as unforgettable as they are actionable.

Named one of Avenue magazine’s "Top 40 Under 40" and the recipient of Branded Magazine’s Game Changer Award, Barroll has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands. Her impact includes ground-breaking partnerships with the Board of Education and youth justice sectors, where she co-founded the award-winning “In the Lead” mentorship program, a transformational leadership curriculum for at-risk youth that is still transforming lives in high schools today. She also developed Leadership Life, a professionally accredited leadership development program, empowering thousands of participants worldwide.

In 2026, Barroll will publish her first book Make Work Better: Leading with the Human Edge, which provides leaders with the tools to unlock human potential at work. Grounded in psychology and lived leadership experience, it offers practical insight and inspiration for creating workplaces where teams are engaged, energized, and excited to bring their best to work every day. Impactful, engaging, and hilarious, Barroll’s combination of sharp wit, dynamic storytelling, and grounded insight make her a game-changing keynote speaker. She equips audiences with powerful tools to lead with confidence, communicate with purpose, and build thriving workplace cultures that drive both engagement and performance.

Her session, The Generation Advantage, will provide leaders from AIR committees, healthcare teams, and industry with a clear framework to lead across generational differences with confidence. Participants will learn how to leverage strengths, support connection, and create alignment within generationally diverse teams.

Jeremy Evans, known as The Grizzly Dude, is a survivor, storyteller, and speaker who transforms adversity into inspiration. After surviving a near-fatal grizzly bear attack, Jeremy turned his experience into a powerful message of resilience, mental toughness, and overcoming fear. His story isn’t just about survival—it’s about learning to adapt, push past limitations, and find purpose in life’s most challenging moments.

Through captivating storytelling, Jeremy shares hard-earned lessons that resonate with a wide range of audiences, from first responders and outdoor enthusiasts to corporate teams and leaders. His journey serves as a powerful metaphor for perseverance, helping individuals and organizations navigate change, adversity, and the unknown. His authentic, down-to-earth approach keeps audiences engaged while delivering thought-provoking insights on courage, mindset, and determination.

Jeremy’s keynotes leave a lasting impact, inspiring audiences to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth. Whether speaking to professionals, students, or adventurers, he reminds us that resilience isn’t just about survival—it’s about thriving beyond the obstacles.

His session, titled Picking Up the Pieces is a powerful session focused on resilience, mental fortitude, and the strength it takes to rebuild after life-altering events.

Learn more at grizzlydude.ca

With three decades of experience, Hal is a leading expert in strategic problem solving.

Since 1998, he has advised thousands of municipalities, companies, and individuals on government relations, strategic planning, and communications. He co-founded Canadian Strategy Group in 2008 and later launched Integrated Strategic Partners Inc. (ISP), uniting top talent in marketing, communications, government relations, and research.

Few political events in Alberta over the past 25+ years have unfolded without his involvement. He advised Ralph Klein, led Stephen Mandel’s successful mayoral campaign in Edmonton, supported Stockwell Day and the Canadian Alliance nationally, and more recently advised Jason Kenney.

He also played a key role in negotiations for Rogers Place and has led complex projects in site reclamation, industry association formation, pharmaceutical access, and compensation strategy.

In this session, Hal will break down the current political climate and landscape of the Government of Alberta, offering context on the key issues and pressures facing the province right now. Drawing on his experience as a strategist for successful campaigns at every level of government, Hal will offer practical guidance on how rural communities can engage more effectively with provincial and federal decision makers and key stakeholders to drive meaningful, lasting change.

Learn more at ispartnersinc.com/hal-danchilla/

Dr. Aaron Johnston is a clinical professor of emergency and family medicine at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. He is an emergency physician, Associate Dean of Distributed Learning and Rural Initiatives, and leads Canada’s national network on distributed medical education, as chair. His focus on rural medical education has led to a large increase in rural training in Alberta, with a focus on immersive and longitudinal experiences, including a new rural focused medical campus opening July 2026 in Lethbridge, Alberta. His research interests focus on the connection between rural training and health workforce, and rural healthcare delivery.

Dr. Aaron Johnston and Dr. Richard Martin will examine the Importance of Rural Exposure and the value it brings to healthcare training.

Richard Martin likes to think of himself as a Rural Family Doctor trapped in a city. A graduate of the UofA MD Program in 1991, he started his Family Medicine career in Whitecourt after finishing his residency in 1993, with a move father north to Grande Prairie at the end of 1996. He has provided comprehensive Family Medicine (birth to death and everything in between) care there ever since. Richard has been actively committed to teaching since 1993, as well as held various other roles in AHS leadership, CPSA leadership and Academic leadership, including his current role as Assistant Dean responsible for the UofA Northern Alberta Medical Program which opened in Grande Prairie in August of 2025. Despite all these things, his wife and three adult children don't find him too boring and they still enjoy getting together, even though he and his wife suspect that is only because of the good food and the family dog.

Dr. Aaron Johnston and Dr. Richard Martin will examine the Importance of Rural Exposure and the value it brings to healthcare training.

Kim Simmonds, PhD, assumed the role of Primary Care Alberta chief executive officer on Nov. 18, 2024. Kim is an accomplished executive with a wealth of experience in leadership roles within the public and private sector. She served as an Alberta assistant deputy minister of health, and as a senior manager in an international accounting and finance firm. Kim holds a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Calgary. When not working Kim can be found running in Edmonton’s river valley or in the mountains with her family.

Kim will present on Primary Care Alberta's approach to improving primary care access, continuity, and long-term system stability in rural Alberta through three interconnected priorities: healthcare pathway development, system navigation, and workforce training and development.

Darlene Schindel is an RN with a Masters Degree in Health Studies in Leadership, a Certified Professional Coach, with a Certificate in Deep Coaching, and Certified in 3D Systems Transformation.

She is a passionate advocate for the health and wellbeing of Albertans. During a career that has spanned over 40 years, she has taken on many different roles and tackled various issues and challenges, all with great success.

In 2013 she received the Alberta Medical Association Medal of Honour, which is awarded each year to a non-physician for their contribution to healthcare in Alberta.

She has come to be known as the Nurses’ Nurse. Dedicated to bringing transformational leadership, coaching, and mentoring to the healthcare profession. She is passionate about teaching and inspiring nurses to use their voice and engage in systems redesign where they work and supports them on this journey.

Darlene has taken her passion and enthusiasm for healthier lifestyles to numerous non-profits, various boards, and committees.

Darlene Schindel from the Alberta Association of Gerentology (AAG) will be diving in to Integrated Care to Support Rural Caregivers.

Caregivers require support not only to manage health conditions, but also to access functional supports such as transportation, home care, respite, and social connection. However, health, social, and community services often operate in silos, leaving caregivers to coordinate fragmented systems.

Rural communities offer a strong foundation for integrated care ecosystems, where healthcare providers, community organizations, and caregivers collaborate to deliver coordinated, person-centered care.

Mayor Megan Hanson is currently serving her second term as Mayor of Sylvan Lake. As a member of Sylvan Lake's Healthcare Attraction and Retention Team (HART), she works with community partners to find creative ways to recognize, celebrate, and support healthcare professionals. Megan believes every community has something unique to offer, and she's passionate about showcasing Sylvan Lake's welcoming spirit to help attract and retain healthcare providers.

When she's not at Town Hall, you'll likely find her cheering on her sons at the rink or making the most of lake life. Megan will share a community leader's perspective on attracting, integrating, and retaining rural healthcare professionals, and why local relationships and community pride matter.

Tegan grew up in the region, and is originally from Fairview. She grew up on a grain/cattle farm and she values the sense of community in our smaller northern towns.

She started her career as a rural emergency nurse and went on to graduate from Athabasca University’s Family/All ages NP program in 2019.

She remains dedicated to lifelong learning, and is always trying to stay up to date on evidence based practice. This is supported by her passion for training nurse practitioner students.

Her interests include skin conditions, women’s health, mental health and addictions, chronic pain, and chronic disease management.

Councillor Chris Vining has called Cold Lake home since 1998. He was first elected to City Council in 2010 and is serving in his fifth term, having been re-elected in 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025.

Chris originally ran for council to ensure a great community for his two kids to grow up in, along with their grandparents as they move into retirement. Chris believes strongly in building a community that looks after our young, our aging, and our vulnerable.

His background is in education, having graduated with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta in 1992 and completing his Masters of Education in 2010.

Since 1998, Chris has been working with the Northern Lights School Division where he taught at Grand Centre High School for five years and later served as the Principal at Cold Lake Off Campus and Bridges Outreach, followed by Principal at Art Smith Aviation Academy on CFB Cold Lake. He is now the Principal at Cold Lake Elementary in Cold Lake North.

Bio coming soon!

Dr. Jonathan Somerville is a rural family physician practicing full-scope family medicine in Sundre, Alberta. His work in medical education, faculty development, emergency medicine and mental health exemplifies a deep passion for ensuring all Albertans have access to world-class health care.

Dr. Sommerville has fostered growth in both students and colleagues in rural health care spaces. In his role as primary preceptor and Co-director of Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (UCLIC), he has inspired students to return to rural communities as locum or permanent physicians. As Co-chair of Foundational Skills for Faculty Development, Dr. Somerville played a pivotal role in planning rural development conferences (Cabin Fever, Southern Alberta Preceptor Summit, N*62) and presenting webinars and sessions at these conferences. Additionally, he has worked extensively to ensure the needs of rural health care faculty are met while bringing new educational programs to rural communities, including his establishment of a simulation center, bringing the EDE Boot Camp ultrasound education and the integration of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in his town of Sundre.

Bio and session details coming soon!