Keynote Speakers
Wednesday Keynote
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - A Closer Look at BC's Economy (ED)
So much uncertainty. From demographics to deficits to doomsday scenarios, this session will try to make sense of what we truly can make sense of.
Mike Stolte, President, Centre for Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership
Mike Stolte is the President of the Centre for Innovative & Entrepreneurial Leadership (CIEL). A former federal government economist, Mike is the co-creator of the Business Vitality Initiative, the Community Vitality Initiative, the Communities Matrix, and Tourism Vitality Assessment, all tools and processes to assess and strengthen communities. Mike has spent many years working in the field of community, economic & business/ entrepreneurial development, centred out of Nelson, BC. He has facilitated several national conferences and think-tanks, and has written many articles and publications in the field.
Mike's presentation subject matter most often centers around the need and the method for creating entrepreneurial, vital and sustainable communities. His work has been featured in the Globe & Mail's Report on Business, Canadian Living & Profit magazines, on CBC radio’s Sounds Like Canada, and on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Mike is the past president of the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF). He holds degrees from Carleton University (MA in Public Administration) and the University of Western Ontario (Economics).
Tuesday Keynote
Art ≠ $: a new formula for cultural impact
The case for arts is often made in the language of money. Place managers justify investments into the arts, culture, and creative placemaking through economic impact — jobs created, dollars spent, property values raised. While this narrative has helped to secure funding, it has impoverished public understanding of the impact of arts in cities. As we enter an era marked by overlapping crises of skepticism about systems, urban displacement, and resource scarcity, the arts are once being reframed. But as what?
Those who work at the intersection of creativity and place are in urgent need of a new paradigm, a broader vocabulary, a more powerful case for support. In this session, keynote speaker Philip Barash will share emerging frameworks that are reenergizing places and mobilizing new sources of funding. The session will not only examine the recent history of the creative placemaking movement — but guide participants beyond its constraints.
Jennie Kovalcik, Director of Operations, Public Sphere Projects
Philip Barash, Principal - Strategic planning and placemaking, Public Sphere Projects
Jennie Kovalcik (she/her) brings a decade of experience in placemaking, community development, and project management. Dedicated to amplifying arts and culture in urban contexts, she facilitates community-driven connections that focus on the relationship between creative and culturally-responsive placemaking that supports economic development. With her extensive history working with business improvement districts across the country, Kovalcik has successfully implemented innovative program strategies to drive long-lasting change in the public realm.
Philip Barash (he/him) is a planning and placemaking expert working toward shaping more vibrant and just urban places. He brings two decades of experience in advising governments and institutions on activating the public realm through meaningful community participation. He has worked with the Boston Foundation, Barack Obama Presidential Center, National Park Service, and others on complex projects that transform public places. Barash serves on the boards of the International Downtown Association and the American Planning Association. He is also on faculty at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Closing Keynote: Wednesday May 27
From Influence to Impact: Building Trusted Brands That Strengthen Communities (M+E)
What does it take to turn attention into lasting economic impact? In this candid fireside chat, Julia Freeman will explore how The Jilly Box evolved from a trusted personal platform into a nationally recognized, values-led business supporting Canadian and women-owned brands. From B Corp certification to advocacy-based selling, this conversation will unpack how trust becomes infrastructure — and how small businesses and BIAs can build brands, districts, and communities people don’t just support, but champion.
Julia Freeman is the CEO of The Jilly Box, a premium subscription box and curated eCommerce marketplace that champions women-owned, Canadian and values-led brands. As CEO, Julia leads the company’s strategic vision and growth, guiding The Jilly Box beyond a beloved seasonal box and into a thoughtfully curated destination. Over the last 18 years, Julia has held leadership roles in eCommerce, Marketing and Strategy at high-growth brands including: Aritzia, Best Buy and Mountain Equipment Company. Recently, while on maternity leave with her third child, she co-owned a small textile business, an experience that deepened her belief in the power of small business and community-led growth. Julia lives in North Vancouver, is a mum to three children, and is a passionate advocate for helping women build, lead and work differently.
Tuesday Keynote, May 26, 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.
Reconciliation in British Columbia – What Does the Future Hold?
Reconciliation in British Columbia continues to evolve through landmark agreements and court decisions that are reshaping relationships between governments, Indigenous Nations, and industry. In this timely keynote, Thomas Isaac of Cassels will examine the recent Haida and Musqueam agreements, the 2025 Cowichan decision, and the 2025 B.C. Court of Appeal ruling on UNDRIP. Attendees will gain practical insight into what these developments mean for municipalities, economic development, governance, and the path forward in B.C.
Thomas Isaac, Chair of Cassels’ National Aboriginal Law Group & Co-Chairs Cassels’ National Major Projects Team
A nationally recognized authority in Aboriginal law, Tom advises business and government clients across Canada on Aboriginal legal matters and related regulatory, environmental assessment, negotiations, and constitutional issues. Tom has extensive national experience advising energy, oil, gas, pipeline, nuclear, mining, forestry, real estate, and transportation companies, and federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and Indigenous governments, and agencies on Aboriginal, regulatory, and constitutional matters. In recognition of his work in this area, Tom was honoured as one of Canada’s “Top 25 Most Influential” lawyers by Canadian Lawyer magazine. Tom has published extensively in Aboriginal law, including 17 books, including Aboriginal Law, 6th Ed and most recently Canada & the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. His published works on Aboriginal law have been cited with approval by Canadian courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Appeal.
Tuesday Keynote, May 26, 8:15 - 9:00 a.m.
Main Street Metrics: Making Data Driven Decisions and Measuring Impact (ED)
This session will introduce what the Canadian Urban Institute has learned about data and analytics best practices for business improvement areas and other place-based organizations. There will be a demonstration of the CUI’s Main Street Metrics dashboard which is being actively used by over 100 BIAs across Canada. Specific use-cases of the dashboard for gap analysis, event planning, and BIA marketing will be presented. Attendees will come away from the session with a better understanding of how to apply data for strategic decision-making and impact analysis in BIAs.
Greg Spencer, Director of Research, Canadian Urban Institute
Greg leads CUI’s quantitative research and delivery of data analytics services for place-based organizations, with over 25 years of experience in urban and economic development policy making and research. Greg has worked in consulting and academia roles across Canada, the UK, and Ireland helping local communities reach their full potential.
