Alisha Bagshaw is a student in the Bachelor of Child Studies degree program, majoring in Child and Youth Care Counselling at Mount Royal University. Alisha has experience in both Early Childhood Education settings, and as a Child and Youth Care Counsellor. Her passions include supporting women and children affected by domestic violence as well as dismantling systemic barriers for individuals with disabilities. She works from a client centred, strength-based approach, and a lens of harm reduction.
Day 2 • Session C1
Dr. Ozlem Cankaya is an Associate Professor in Early Childhood Curriculum Studies at MacEwan University. Before joining MacEwan, she worked as a research scientist at PolicyWise for Children & Families, a not-for-profit organization in Edmonton, Canada. In this role, she contributed to developing policies and practices that affect Alberta's children and families by managing, linking, and analyzing population-level administrative data from multiple ministries. Dr. Cankaya completed her BSc in the Early Childhood Education Program at Middle East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey) and her PhD in the Department of Cognitive Science at Carleton University (Ottawa), where she explored how children learn and play in different cultures.
Day 1 • Session B1
Day 2 • Session C4
Delaney Carriere is a passionate advocate for high-quality early childhood education, with extensive experience in fostering enriching, inclusive, and child-centered learning environments. Dedicated to community improvement and professional development for educators across Alberta, Delaney champions continuous improvement, diversity, and equity in education. She emphasizes innovative, research-based curriculum development and collaborative partnerships with families and the community to nurture holistic child development. Her work reflects a deep commitment to creating supportive and dynamic educational communities where educators’ unique backgrounds and learning are embraced as foundational to the early childhood community.
Day 2 • Session C3
Launa Clark is a dedicated Andragogical Director and senior Facilitator with 30 years of experience training people of all ages. Her unique blend of skills and passion empowers her to deliver outstanding results in various curious and learning environments. She has a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services, a Diploma in Early Childhood Development, and Certifications in Workplace Mental Health Leadership and Mindful Self-Compassion. Her journey as a lifelong learner has resulted in additional certification in Creative and Critical Thinking Assessment and as a Neurolinguistic Practitioner. Launa believes in the teaching and healing power of play. Her playful leadership and facilitation style create opportunities for open and honest conversations about hard things. She strives to connect humans to humans and build a respectful curiosity and an inviting space to talk about the wisdom that exists in each person she meets.
Day 1 • Session A3
Kaylee Cripps has been part of the early learning community for several years, working with children from 12 months to 6 years old. She’s held a variety of roles—from educator and director to professional practice advisor, early learning coach, and pedagogical partner. No matter the role, Kaylee’s passion lies in supporting educators in their professional growth and helping create caring, engaging spaces for children to learn and thrive. She loves collaborating with others to reflect on practice and explore what quality early learning can look like in everyday moments.
Day 2 • Session E4
Emma DeCecco is a Bachelor of Child Studies student and studying at Mount Royal University. She has a background in both Early Learning and Childhood Education and Child and Youth Care Counselling. After working in the youth homeless sector, she has developed a passion for social activism related to destigmatizing marginalized communities through a lens of harm reduction and holistic approaches that advocate and uplift those experiencing social injustice.
Day 2 • Session C1
Wendy Doyle - Wendy Doyle is a dedicated leader in Alberta’s early learning and child care (ELCC) system, serving as the Executive Director responsible for shaping policy, guiding strategic initiatives, and representing Alberta at the Federal/Provincial/Territorial level. With a deep commitment to ensuring high-quality child care, Wendy provides expertise in legislative policy, workforce development, and system transformation. As Alberta’s representative on the FPT Senior Officials Working Group, Wendy plays a pivotal role in advancing child care policies that align with negotiated targets and long-term system goals. She is a champion for educators, operators, and families, ensuring that professional development, certification, and workforce support remain at the forefront of Alberta’s ELCC strategy.
At the 2025 AECEA Essential Pieces Conference, Wendy is honored to join fellow leaders and educators in celebrating the profession’s strong roots and bright future. She believes in the power of collaboration, advocacy, and purpose-driven leadership to shape a system that truly supports children, families, and the dedicated professionals who make early learning possible.
Day 1 • Intro
Kerry Drake - With over 18 years of hands-on experience in early childhood education, Kerry Drake is a distinguished educator and leader. As the founder of KD Talks, Kerry has established herself as a dynamic workshop facilitator and public speaker, sharing her expertise in mentorship, reflective practice, perspective checking, and self-care. She holds a Master of Education in Leadership and Curriculum Design and has been a guiding force in both front-line and post-secondary education. Kerry is a Registered Early Childhood Educator in Ontario and a seasoned college and university professor. She has mentored and supported over 1500 educators, fostering growth and development in her students and colleagues alike. Inclusion is at the core of Kerry's practice, ensuring that every individual feels valued and respected, and that a sense of belonging is fostered. Kerry believes in the importance of lifelong learning, both professionally and personally, and strives to continuously grow and improve.
Day 1 • Session B4
Nicki Dublenko has worked with the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Alberta (AECEA) in multiple capacities since 2010. She served on the board of directors and is a past chair. Currently, she is a special advisor to the AECEA board and sits on the policy committee. Nicki helped guide the association by facilitating consultations, conducting research and establishing the current mandate, vision and mission. She has a Master’s of Education in Early Learning. Nicki is the Executive Director for Child Development Dayhomes, a member of the Edmonton Council for Early Learning and Care and currently sits on the Child Care Now National workforce policy table. She believes in a strong professional association for early childhood educators and values the professionals working with young children for the very important work we all do.
Day 1 • Panel Discussion
Alicia Fingal, the human development director for Imagine Institute for Learning, is a dedicated professional, with a heart for nurturing young minds and supporting caregivers, families, and professionals alike. With a degree in Honours Psychology and diploma in Early Childhood Education, Alicia has cultivated a deep understanding in the intricacies of human development and brings both expertise and warmth to her work. She has over 10 years of hands-on experience, working as a Director of a childcare centre mentoring many educators with an unwavering dedication to recognize and ignite their potential. She has a wealth of experience to empower adult professionals to build their capacities, excel in their fields, and foster growth and well-being.
Day 1 • Session A3
Day 2 • Keynote and Session D4
Heather Fitzsimmons Frey, Associate Professor and Chair in Arts and Cultural Management, is a community-engaged researcher focused on youth engagement in the arts and cultural sector. Her methodologies include archival and qualitative research, creative and performance-based inquiry, and performance-based historiography. One current SSHRC and MacEwan funded project is Elm Tree Theatre (elmtreetheatre.ca). Elm Tree Theatre creates immersive theatre experiences for early years (ages 1 – 5) audiences, created and dramaturged through Flight: Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Framework. Her Theatre for Early Years research has been presented at the ASSITEJ World Congress in Cuba, the WeeFestival in Toronto, and is published in Critical Stages, Performance Matters, Theatre Research in Canada, and in several books including the Routledge Companion to Drama in Education. With a heart for creative and interdisciplinary thinking, and for gathering people to reimagine through multiple perspectives, she is committed to creating play-full and meaning-rich co-created experiences for early years audiences and their companions.
Day 2 • Session E3
Sonia Grams began her career in Early Learning when she was 18 and worked in her local daycare. Upon completing her B.SC in Human Ecology, she worked for several years in a group home in central Edmonton with vulnerable and marginalized children.
For the past 30 years, she worked at a dayhome agency in Edmonton and, in 2022, completed her Masters in Curriculum and Pedagogy. She is currently in her 3rd year as the Co-Chair of the Alberta Family Child Care Association. She meets regularly with JET to advocate for high quality, inclusive childcare for with a focus on Family Dayhomes.
Day 1 • Panel
Emmie Henderson-Dekort is an Assistant Professor in the Bachelor of Child Studies (BCST) degree program. Her research interests and expertise are centered on children and youth rights, participatory action research, and amplifying the voices of young individuals. She is deeply committed to the principles outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and incorporates these into her teaching and research activities. Her work emphasizes the importance of educating both practitioners and young individuals about the UNCRC to ensure that children's rights are understood, respected, and implemented in various contexts. In addition to her academic work, Emmie has extensive practical experience working directly with children and youth.
Day 2 • Session C1
Talida Ionicel has been the Director of Child & Youth Development at YW Calgary since March 2025. With over seven years of dedicated service to YW Calgary, starting in 2017 as Manager of Child and Youth Development Services, Talida has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in childhood education and child development. Her tenure has been marked by the implementation of impactful programs designed to empower children and enhance their future opportunities. In addition, she has successfully overseen initiatives aimed at supporting children's growth, fostering safe and healthy relationships, and providing critical developmental support.
Before joining YW Calgary, Talida was an Area Manager at BrightPath Early Learning & Child Care, where she held various roles from 2009 to 2017. During her time there, Talida transformed childcare centres into thriving hubs of excellence, championing daily operations and ensuring compliance with provincial regulations. She upheld the highest standards of health, safety, and fire regulations across all centers under her supervision. These roles involved extensive work with young children, focusing on their early development and creating nurturing environments that promote growth and learning.
Day 1 • Session A2
Day 2 • Session D2
Anna Kasprick has worked in the early learning field for twelve years. She has worked alongside children and families as an educator, curriculum facilitator, and acting director. She also facilitated ECDV 0100: Exploring Early Childhood Curriculum for four years, sharing her experiences with educators across Alberta. During her time as a curriculum facilitator, Anna had the opportunity to share her knowledge and experience with Flight Framework with educators and stakeholders across the province. Anna has a passion for high quality early learning experiences for children and families.
Day 2 • Session E2
Madeline Kleinfeld is the Membership and Community Engagement Coordinator at AECEA. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health and Social Policy, where she specialized in factors that influence children's well-being. Her academic background and direct work with children and families as an Education Assistant and Dance Instructor have contributed to her understanding of strong early foundations as a vital piece in shaping thriving communities. Passionate about supporting and empowering educators, she recognizes their essential contributions to this foundation. Through engagement, knowledge-sharing, and meaningful connections, she is dedicated to amplifying educators’ voices and strengthening the ELCC sector.
Day 1 • Envisioning the Future Session
Lisa Lalonde, RECE, PhD(candidate) is a professor and coordinator of the Bachelor of Early Learning and Community Development degree at Algonquin College. With over 20 years of experience in early learning, Lisa has contributed to the Reimagine Professional Learning project and is part of the leadership team with the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play. Her research focuses on the professional identity of early childhood educators, innovative learning models, and fostering meaningful engagement through outdoor play and inclusive practices.
Day 2 • Session D1
Jamie Leach is an assistant professor in the Department of Child and Youth Study at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her research interests and projects focus on children’s relationships with materials (e.g., emotional expression, social interactions) and the ways in which materials invite or constrain connectedness in playful experiences in early childhood education and care (ECEC) environments. She is also interested in participant action research with ECEs to co-create communities of practice that offer authentic and sustainable collaboration. Her other projects include early learning and care curriculum frameworks are used in ECEC environments and co-creating democratic and immersive theatrical experiences with young children from an ECEC perspective.
Day 2 • Session E3
Emma Maguire earned her Bachelor of Child Studies, with a major in Early Learning and Child Care, from Mount Royal University. Through her leadership practicum, she had the opportunity to facilitate the innovative and research-based LENA program. She started her career at YW Calgary coaching families and educators to increase conversational turns every day! Emma's experience in out-of-school care and child care settings provide her with a unique insight and practical experience in the field of early learning. Empowering and inspiring educators to be their best professional selves is what drives Emma's work as Early Talks Facilitator and LENA Grow Coach. Emma is proud to be part of creating a strong early learning system in Alberta.
Day 1 • Session A2
Day 2 • Session D2
Brahmleen Makkar is an early childhood educator who has been working with children for 2 years. She is also a researcher who holds a keen interest in literature, art and education. She presented her research in English language in 2019 (India) and in International professional development amidst diverse professions in 2020 (India). She is currently an educator and acting program director at Jasper Place Family Resource Centre. She has also been a part of Flight Video Tour Series (2023). She is quite passionate about working with diverse children and families.
Day 2 • Session E2
Dr. Lee Makovichuk is an Associate Professor (MacEwan’s Department of Human Services and Early Learning) and the first author of Flight: Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Framework. Lee is passionate about early learning and care curriculum that embraces children’s play as a multimodal literacy. Additionally, Lee collaborates with early childhood educators to make meaning of moments of children’s play and care.
Day 1 • Session B2
Nancy Mannix is the Chair and Patron of the Palix Foundation, a private foundation whose philanthropy aims to improve the health and wellness outcomes of children and families. The Foundation, through the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative, focuses on aligning science, policy, and practice in areas of brain development and its implications for child development, mental health, addiction, and other diseases and disorders, generating changes at an individual, organizational and systems level. Nancy's work with the Palix Foundation has garnered a number of prestigious awards in the mental health sector. Nancy holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of San Diego and a Juris Doctor Degree from Seattle University.
Day 1 • Session A1
Lois Maplethorpe has been an early years educator for over 20 years, specializing in early language and literacy learning. Lois is an instructor in the Early Learning program at Red Deer Polytechnic where she strives to build cross-cultural understanding and engagement through allyship.
Day 2 • Session D3
Carole Massing worked in various childcare settings and then taught at MacEwan University, the University of Alberta, and NorQuest College. Her work has focused on ELCC, Interculturalism, and human service administration.
Mary Lynn Matheson taught in the ELCC program at MacEwan University and the Bridging Program for Immigrant Child Care Workers. She was the Education Coordinator at the Intercultural Child and Family Centre and worked as ELCC Faculty Liaison at NorQuest College. She has worked extensively as a pedagogical mentor for Flight.
They are co-authors of Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Care: An Intercultural Perspective. Carole has also co-authored The Educational Assistant's Guide to Supporting Inclusion in a Diverse Society.
Day 2 • Session E4
Beryl McNulty After a 20-year nursing career, Beryl followed her passion for early childhood education, completing three programs at Portage College in 2000. In 2012, she became director of a new childcare centre, growing it from one room with 18 children to a thriving five-room program by the time she retired in 2023.
Beryl also served five years on the ARCQE board, including as chair, and now continues supporting educators and programs as a coach. She believes in the strength and capability of children and is passionate about creating environments where their voices are heard and respected. Working alongside dedicated, lifelong learners in this field is a privilege she deeply values.
Day 2 • Session E4
Nicole Morrell is a passionate and experienced Early Childhood Educator from Blackfalds, with over 22 years in the field. Her diverse background includes work in OSC, playschool, and 14 years as a Daycare Director. Nicole has served in various coaching and mentoring roles, including as an ARCQE coach and pedagogical partner, Child Development Support Coach, Regulatory Coach, and Professional Learning Facilitator, and Cultural Partner. She has also shared her knowledge and supported educator growth as an ICC Coach and Professional Practice Advisor with Red Deer Polytechnic. Nicole’s heart lies in supporting educators and programs through the lens of Flight, which fuels her passion for reflective practice and pedagogical leadership.Outside of her professional life, Nicole is a proud mom to her 13-year-old son, Bauer. Together, they can often be found at the hockey rink or enjoying the peace and quiet of a nearby lake with fishing rods in hand.
Day 2 • Session E4
Marcia Nicole is a dedicated Early Childhood Educator with over 20 years of experience in the field. She holds both a Master's and a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and is a certified OCT. As the founder of Ispyr to Educate, Marcia leads with a mission to empower, uplift, and advocate for educators across all stages of their professional journey. Her work spans professional development, mentorship, and coaching, with a focus on inquiry-based and play-based learning. Marcia is also a part-time faculty member in Early Childhood Education, and host of The Inspiring ECE Podcast, where she shares actionable strategies and encouragement to reignite the passion within the field.
Day 2 • Session E1
Sarah Nychka has a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies (Special Populations) and a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education. She has worked with children and families in early learning inclusion programs for over 25 years. Sarah has worked with GRIT in Edmonton, Alberta for the past 11 years in a variety of roles: Developmental Assistant, Inclusive Learning Coach, Intake Coordinator, and currently as the Intake Supervisor for the Inclusive Child Care Program. Sarah's passion for building an inclusive and resilient community is matched by her love of Early Childhood Education and Development. When Sarah is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing board games, doing puzzles, and birdwatching.
Day 1 • Session A4
Kristina Patterson has completed her BA-Psych and has worked to support children and families in various capacities for the past 20 years. She has spent the last 10 years with GRIT supporting early learning and care centres as a coach, facilitator, and support lead. She is passionate about learning, and seeing people inspired drives her commitment to building educator’s confidence and skills. She has 2 young people and a husky puppy who all keep her busy at home. In her spare time, she enjoys playing piano, reading, swimming, downhill skiing, riding her bike, and she has recently added meditation into her self-care routine.
Day 1 • Session A4
Christina Pickles founded Get Outside and Play, which advocates for more outdoor play for children in early learning and care settings, schools and communities. She delivers professional learning to educators, building their knowledge and confidence to support more outdoor play with children. Christina also explores the challenges of outdoor play in relation to early learning and care programs from a systems perspective. She led the creation of the Outdoor Play in the Child Care Settings: Recommendations for Child Care Licensing in Alberta.
Day 2 • Session C2
Jennifer Sibbald, MA is the Manager for Early Learning at MacEwan (ELM). Since 1972, ELM has been a centre of innovation, research and education, providing quality childcare to the university community as well as the broader community. Jennifer recognizes the importance of creating a community of learners by building nurturing relationships with children, families and educators. In this presentation, Jennifer and Lee will share insights gained from documented moments of ELM educators’ early learning curriculum with children and families and reveal the complexity of care pedagogies within play, routines, and daily comings and goings of a local university child care program.
Day 1 • Session B2
Keirsten Taylor graduated from MacEwan University with a Bachelor of Science in Honours Psychology, where her passion for children's development and play-based learning developed. At the CanPlay Research Lab, Keirsten was a Research Coordinator, contributing to projects focused on the role of play materials in children's cognitive development and STEM explorations.
Day 2 • Session C4
Tori Vail is a fourth-year student in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Curriculum Studies (BECCS) program at MacEwan University, currently completing her senior internship with the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Alberta (AECEA). With over two years of experience as an early childhood educator, Tori is passionate about children’s rights, care, social justice, and the image of the child as capable and mighty learners. Tori's capstone project explores how care is understood and enacted by early childhood educators across Alberta, drawing on conversations with educators and current research in the field. Deeply committed to social justice and holistic learning, Tori brings curiosity and a strong advocacy lens to her work. After graduation, Tori plans to continue supporting children, families, and educators in both local and international contexts through relational, community-based practice.
Day 2 • Showcase
Rhonda Webster is an organizational consultant who has provided small and medium-sized enterprises with financial management and systems development for over 25 years. She has designed and facilitated hundreds of systems to help businesses discover, create, and execute their strategic plans. She works to analyze internal operations to improve business optimization. In the Fall of 2025, she will be a graduate student attending the University of Victoria to pursue her MBA in Sustainable Innovation. Here she will continue to research and develop sustainable solutions co-existing within a collaborative human-centred environment.
Day 1 • Session B3
