Introducing Our Community Connectors For The Building Connected Communities Project

What is the Project?

The Building Connected Communities (BCC) project is an initiative designed to foster stronger connections among Calgarians through Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). At its core, this approach focuses on recognizing and mobilizing the strengths, skills, and passions already present within communities, rather than focusing on problems or deficits. It’s about amplifying what’s working and inviting more people to lead, participate, and thrive together. 

Why this matters in Calgary:

In a time where social isolation and disconnection are growing concerns, the BCC project offers a hopeful and transformative path forward. By embracing ABCD, this initiative aims to weave stronger networks of support and engagement in Calgary’s neighborhoods, ones that are driven by community members themselves. It is a model that builds not just connection, but collective capacity and care.

Who is involved in the project?

This project is being brought to life by our Community Connectors in partnership with diverse community host organisations (CHOs) in Calgary. Community Connectors will have the opportunity to work with community members to discover, connect and organize their assets (strengths, gifts and talents).

Let’s Meet our Community Connectors!

 We asked our amazing community connectors to tells us what they are most excited about in this role and what matters to them as community builders, and here is what they had to say:

Aline Nzeyimana (Wings of Hope for Africa)

Aline Nzeyimana, is the founder and Community Connector for Wings of Hope for Africa. As a proud wife and mother of three, she wears many hats in the community. Being a passionate community builder, what matters most to her is creating opportunities that uplift and empower families in need. Aline believes in the power of unity and compassion to drive lasting change. Her favorite way to bring people together is through meaningful events that combine support, celebration, and service. With every initiative, she strives to build a stronger, more connected, and caring community.

Sophie Burns (Calgary Climate Hub)

Sophie Burns is the Community Connector for the Calgary Climate Hub, where she will be engaging communities through her shared love and passion for the land and community. She is excited to be bringing people together to take action for the climate and each other, through building webs of care and cultivating kindness across the city with the Calgary Climate Hub. She loves the mountains, rivers and horses and has been known to play her violin to sheep! She looks forward to working with communities to create earth-loving approaches at the intersections of social justice, transformative change and community healing.

Lisa Hunt (Otipemisiwak Métis Government)

Lisa Hunt, a proud Métis woman with deep roots in Willow Bunch, Turtle Mountain, and the Red River Settlement, has called Calgary home for over 20 years. As a Community Connector for Otipemisiwak Métis Government, Lisa sees herself as a bridge - someone who listens, engages with care, and brings people together in ways that feel meaningful and inclusive. ABCD to Lisa means recognizing the strengths that already exist in our community and working alongside others to support what’s already growing. Together with her lived experience in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous spaces, she has learned the value of humility, honest communication, and the power of relationships. What matters most to Lisa is creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and connected - where Métis identity is both celebrated and strengthened through community.

Anya Pena Egle (Shawnee-Evergreen Community Association)

Anya Pena Egle believes that connection is the foundation of health and happiness because it provides a sense of belonging and support that is essential for our well-being. As a community builder, Anya is passionate about creating spaces where people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs feel a sense of belonging and find their community. Her favorite ways of bringing people together involve a combination of food and music. She is thrilled to be part of the BCC team and to work with the Shawnee-Evergreen Community Association to make a meaningful impact, foster positive change, and strengthen the bonds within the community.

Elyse Brazel (Calgary Interfaith Council)

Elyse Brazel is the Community Connector for the Calgary Interfaith Council. She is committed to the values of equity, community, collaboration, justice and creativity. In everything she does, she values people’s stories and believes that we grow by learning from multiple perspectives, and that ultimately, we are better together. Some of her strengths include her education (MA in Public and Pastoral Leadership with a specialization in Indigenous and Interreligious Studies) as well as 16 years of lived experience in all things interfaith, within Canada and around the world. She is most excited to get to know people, increase a sense of belonging, and find ways to combine strengths, talents, and assets to work together for the common good.

Michel Kengne (The Cameroonian Canadian Association of Calgary)

Michel Kengne is passionate about creating bridges between newcomers and established professionals through mentorship, cultural exchange and shared goals. Having a strong background in human resources and community engagement, he is most excited to share his ability to listen to the needs of people, connect people to the right resources and celebrate diversity. What matters most to Michel as a community connector is helping people feel better supported and empowered to contribute their strengths.  Michel is looking forward to working with the Cameroonian Community in Calgary to be more united, inclusive, flourishing, vibrant and strong.

Pamela Djakoua Djatou (The Cameroonian Canadian Association of Calgary)

In expressing what it means to be a community connector, Pamela Djakoua Djatou the co-community connector of the Cameroonian Community in Calgary expresses her excitement to be that go-to person for her community. She’s always ready to listen, bring people together, and help amplify voices that aren’t always heard. Pamela loves creating simple but meaningful moments, like sharing a good meal, hosting a creative workshop, or just holding space for people to tell their stories. To her, a real community is a place where you can just be yourself, where connections happen naturally, and everyone belongs.

Patricia Gomez Diaz (Centro Latino)

Building relationships plays a major part in the Community Connector role and Patricia Gomez Diaz loves to do that through music and dancing! And she is excited to bring them into her new role as the Community Connector for Centro Latino and the BCC project. She is here to listen and learn about all the talents and strengths in her beloved Hispanic community and help spark connections rooted in trust and possibility. Patricia is  most excited to share her curiosity and ability to create safe, welcoming spaces where people feel seen and heard. She believes every community is rich with gifts, and that real change begins when those gifts are recognized and mobilized by the people who hold them.

Gabrielle Barber (End of the Rainbow)

As the Community Connector for End of the Rainbow, Gabrielle Barber is excited to sit down with people one-on-one to hear what they most appreciate about their communities. As a lover of building relationships with people based on shared passions, she can't wait to watch the community grow and harness their strengths. What matters most to her about building communities is facilitating a safe space where people feel comfortable not only socializing and having fun, but also feel comfortable decompressing and relaxing. Gabrielle finds it really important to strike that balance and create a community space that's welcoming for all.

Adesuwa Opedun ( Land of Dreams )

For Adesuwa Opedun, being a Community Connector for Land of Dreams means building real, meaningful relationships and creating spaces where people feel welcomed, included, and valued. She enjoys bringing people together, especially from different backgrounds and experiences, and finding ways where people can support and learn from one another. What matters most to her as a community builder is seeing people thrive, whether it’s helping someone feel more connected, sharing a story that brings understanding, or working on a project that makes a real difference. Adesuwa believes in the power of community, and is passionate about creating opportunities for connection, collaboration, and growth. Community for her is about listening, showing up, and doing the little things that make people feel like they belong.

Amrit Gosal (Capitol Hill)

Amrit Gosal believes that if she met a version of herself in a parallel universe, she hopes she has the superpower of teleportation. That means she will be able to attend every community event and potluck in a blink! As a Community Connector for Capitol Hill, she sees herself as a story weaver, linking people through shared laughter, layered identities, and little acts of everyday magic. Amrit is most excited to spark curiosity, celebrate culture, and support residents as they discover the superpowers in their own neighborhoods. Her favorite way to bring people together is through snacks, storytelling, a firepit, music, and something unexpected—like sidewalk chalk games.

Olivia Smith (St. Andrews Heights)

What matters most to Olivia Smith, a community Connector for St. Andrews Heights,  is that she gets to support the creation of spaces and communities where everyone feels included, seen, and supported. Olivia believes it is foundational for community building that people feel like they belong to a space and that their voice and being feels valued, encouraged and reflected in their community. Her goal is to ensure that the diversity of needs and voices from community members drives her work and decision-making processes.

We are so excited to see how their unique contributions will help shape more connected, compassionate communities in Calgary. Stay tuned as we follow their journey and celebrate the stories emerging from this vital work.