As Executive Director, David has led the organization’s engaging approach to heritage since 2011, and supported the development of EHC’s flagship programs. Previously, he served as Director of Research for the Heritage Community Foundation and as a curatorial researcher with the Folklife Program at the Royal Alberta Museum.

Over his nearly 30 years in the field he has contributed to key community discussions about culture and place, including the development of Connections & Exchanges, Edmonton’s 10 Year Plan to transform heritage and the arts in the city.

“Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain

Born and raised in the southern part of India, Ann carries a strong sense of heritage and culture passed on by her ancestors. Ann, an Electronics & Communication Engineer with an MBA in HR & Marketing as well as a post graduate diploma in Human Resource Administration, brings a decade of experience in various industries to her role.

Ann is very keen on focusing, practicing, and preaching about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. It is important to her to make sure everyone around her is heard, seen, and felt. She loves spending time with her family, shopping, and exploring places, and is passionate about music and dance. She strongly believes life is a blessing and one should always be thankful and embrace its beauty. Her motto in life is to spread positivity and kindness.

Kyla is passionate about building community and making it a welcoming place for all. Descended from settlers who called both the east and west coasts home, she finds herself in Edmonton, surrounded by oceans of wheat. She has lived here for the past twenty years, studying, enjoying all aspects of the arts, and learning more about what draws people to these lands. Kyla has a decade of experience working in the non-profit sector and finds herself always coming back to the Edmonton Heritage Council.

She is currently the President of the Braille Tone Music Society of Edmonton, and is starting a toy lending library through her local community league. You can find her exploring Edmonton with her two little boys, partner, and dachshund.

Kesia returned to Treaty 6 Territory after spending 14 years living, working, and learning on Treaty 7 and Dish-With-One-Spoon Territories. A Canadian food historian by training, Kesia brings her life-long experience with museums and heritage to EHC. She feels strongly that heritage and culture are keys to building community. Previously, Kesia served as Chief Curator at Heritage Park in Calgary. She currently sits on the board of the Culinary Historians of Canada and the IDEA and Nominating Committees for the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums.

Kesia’s historical role models are Roberta MacAdams and Jane Jacobs. Her free time is spent sewing, gardening and exploring with her husband and their dog. Kesia is excited to make her home the vibrant and diverse City of Edmonton.

Jessica Johns is a nehiyaw aunty with English-Irish ancestry and a member of Sucker Creek First Nation in Treaty 8 territory in Northern Alberta. She is a writer and editor of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art criticism, and her writing can be found in publications across ministik. Her career has been focused primarily on uplifting and supporting Indigenous storytellers, and her work in community is centered on an ethics of care and relationality.

Raffaella Loro is a self-proclaimed ‘very civil servant’ with a penchant for tackling complex challenges. After a brief introduction to the world of museums as a curatorial assistant (one of her best ever summer jobs) she has dedicated the past twenty years to transforming communication practices in Edmonton, including nearly 15 years at the City of Edmonton Communications Department. In her time at the City, she played a pivotal part in guiding the city’s ventures into social media and online multimedia, as well as placebranding efforts and internal storytelling.

In her recent endeavors, Raffaella has concentrated on leveraging human-centered design principles to enhance community and individual well-being. She thrives on exploring the intersection of process and creativity, often challenging conventional norms along the way.

In her free time you can find her quietly knitting or with her husband chasing her dog Pippa through Edmonton’s river valley.

Daliso Mwanza is a visual ethnographic researcher and filmmaker. Originally from Zambia and born in South Africa, Daliso immigrated to Canada in 2008. He graduated with a Master’s in Digital Arts and Humanities from UBCO in 2022, focusing on the diverse landscape of Black leisure experiences in Alberta. Having spent his youth in New Zealand, Pretoria (South Africa), and Whitecourt, Daliso brings a unique global perspective to his work. His dedication to filmmaking and archival film capture, particularly in capturing the essence of visual and theatre performances, has been evident in his work over the pandemic. Daliso also finds joy in mead-making and pottery.

Leslie is a big believer in and active booster of local initiatives, co-founder of the Edmonton Tool Library (2015), co-organizer of the Secret Alley Gallery (2016), and has served as director and officer for many organizations and initiatives focused on local prosperity and human flourishing.

Born and raised in amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton), Les is an avid cyclist, accomplished houseplant owner, ambitious home cook, aspiring artist, and an abysmal singer.

Chris Chang-Yen Phillips is a storyteller and people weaver. He completed his MA in History at the University of Alberta, studying how paleontologists studying fossils in the Burgess Shale have shaped Yoho National Park.

Previously, Chris worked at CJSR 88.5 FM as Podcasting Coordinator and Grant Writer/Fund Developer. He served as Edmonton’s 4th Historian Laureate, and studied International Development Studies & Environment and Resource Studies at Trent University. He loves learning about science, nature, and history, especially through his local history podcast Let’s Find Out. Also Star Trek (naturally).

Joe’s convoluted career path has taken this award-winning writer and broadcaster through the occasionally rocky terrains of the film industry, radio, historic interpretation, theatre, music, research, and linguistics; his relationship with the stories of his hometown has been equally enriched by each stop along the way.

When not trying in vain to clean his glasses, Joe enjoys getting up at ridiculously early hours to create before his brilliant wife and daughter join him in the land of the waking.

For over two decades Marina has been cultivating a career in creating spatial experiences. With a background in exhibition design, Marina worked as an exhibit designer at both the Royal Tyrrell Museum and the Royal Alberta Museum. Marina studied at MacEwan University for exhibition design and completed a BDes in Public Space Design at the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands. For the past seven years Marina has been collaborating with various cultural communities and stakeholders in and around Edmonton through her own spatial design studio.

Marina’s creative lens translates narrative and knowledge into a variety of immersive spaces through storytelling; inviting others to experience the celebration of histories, listen to the land and its people, and constantly engage the philosophical, conceptual, and social dialogues of our spatial surroundings. Absorbed in collecting and research as a means to creativity, Marina’s work focuses on uncovering details and connections that challenge our spatial narratives. 

Keelan is an Edmonton boy, born and raised. He holds a diploma in Digital Media & Information Technology, with an emphasis on IT Business Analysis, from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and is currently putting his skills to use by helping EHC by implementing the best practices for their technological needs. Keelan is passionate about working with the organization to showcase the wonderful culture and heritage seen here.

When away from work, Keelan loves spending time with his beautiful wife and daughter (who wish to remain anonymous), playing rec league ice hockey, and mountain biking through our city’s fantastic urban greenspace (largest in north America!).

Born in Mexico City, Fabiola studied Modern English Language and Literature with studies in Postcolonial Literature and English-Spanish Translation at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). In 2003 she moved to Alberta and started a family, later obtaining diplomas in Office Administration and Financial Management for Non-Profits and Charities as well as a certification as a Community English-Spanish Language and Cultural Interpreter.

Fabiola has promoted Hispanic culture and Spanish within several non-profits. As a resident of one of the most culturally diverse cities in Canada, she values the contribution newcomers make to our community and loves the rich tapestry of cultures they create in our city.

Amber Paquette is a Nehiyaw and Métis multi-disciplinary artist, poet, and filmmaker who served as the 6th Historian Laureate for the City of Edmonton before joining the EHC staff team. She was born and raised in amiskwaciwâskahikan. Amber has worked as researcher, storyteller, and Indigenous People’s Interpreter for several years. Her work with the public has centered on the historic representation of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities who have lived on Treaty 6 Territory since time immemorial.