Rose Council
YWCA Edmonton’s Rose Council is a passionate group of community members who are advocates committed to taking action on gender-based violence. As champions for the YWCA’s Rose Campaign and 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, our Council Members are ambassadors and leaders, engaging the Greater Edmonton community on issues of gender-based violence, equity, and safety. We are proud to introduce you to our 2026 Council Members.
Nafisa Bowen, Rose Council Chair
Nafisa Bowen is the Director of Sponsorship at Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute) where she is responsible for building strong relationships with corporate partners, identifying and creating new opportunities for collaboration, and managing Amii’s sponsorship portfolio to support key initiatives in the community. She is an experienced non-profit leader with experience working in the charitable sector with large health-related charities, including STARS Air Ambulance and the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. In 2022, she was inducted into the Association of Healthcare
Philanthropy’s 40 Under 40 class, designed to recognize future leaders within the international healthcare fundraising profession.
Nafisa holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Ecology from the University of Alberta and
earned her designation as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). In her free time, she is an active volunteer within the community having served on numerous non-profit boards including CCI-LEX, ParityYEG, AFP Edmonton and Area Chapter and campaign cabinet member for MacEwan University’s Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity.
“I am deeply humbled to be the incoming Chair of the YWCA Edmonton Rose Council, carrying forward the incredible foundation built by past chair Felicia Michie and our dedicated council members. My commitment to this role stems from a simple, personal conviction: a healthy community requires true equity.
This work matters because gender-based violence isn’t just a “women’s issue”—it ripples through our families, our workplaces, and the community we share. The Rose Campaign represents our journey toward a world free from fear, discrimination, and violence. By coming together to raise awareness and funds, I truly believe we can show up for one another and build a community where equity is a reality for all.”
Anna Alfonso
Autumn Sorenson
Autumn grew up in Saskatchewan, attended the University of Alberta, and started a family in British Columbia. She is truly a Western Canadian! Autumn has worked with young children and their families as a Speech-Language Pathologist in two provinces and two states. Families of all types, across all walks of life, have graciously welcomed her into their homes and lives. She is incredibly humbled by the trust and vulnerability of families who are looking for support in communication and other areas of their lives.
Working with families in a variety of locations and systems has pushed Autumn to become a more competent professional and to enhance her understanding of the impact of community. She has seen first hand how systems, support, and education for families can create real, long-term, positive changes for both parents and their children. But when supports are not available, it can be devastating for the entire family unit. Autumn looks forward to partnering with the YWCA to promote healthy community and support for families dealing with domestic and gender based violence.
Christa Eaton
Christa Eaton is a registered nurse with extensive experience in healthcare and has worked throughout AHS. She is currently working in community health, assisting in triaging and transition services from hospital to home and providing home care to the acute client population. Christa graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and continues to seek out educational opportunities. Christa has a passion for mentorship and volunteering with the more vulnerable members in our community.
Christa enjoys art and interior design as a creative outlet. Christa loves spending time outdoors walking her dog in the river valley, playing tennis and is just taking up golf.
Felicia Michie
Felicia is a management consultant specializing in strategy and governance and a partner with National Growth Partners. Her passion is helping leaders and boards overcome complex challenges that inhibit their growth potential. She holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Winnipeg and a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Dalhousie University. In her governance roles, Felicia has brought her expertise to various boards, including Winnipeg Business for the Arts and HIV Edmonton, and she currently serves as the chair of YWCA Edmonton’s Rose Council.
Felicia’s commitment to the Rose Council is deeply personal. She can speak firsthand about the transformative impact trauma services can have on children recovering from family violence. Sometimes, all children need is a safe space to explore and understand their experiences and feelings, which can help them to lead to a happy and healthy life. YWCA Edmonton provides these vital services, and Felicia hopes that all children in our community who need them will have access.
Justine Ness
Justine Ness is an entrepreneur and business development leader who has built and scaled a group of companies across Alberta. With extensive experience in startups and capital raising, she focuses on driving strategic growth, forming strong partnerships, and identifying opportunities that create long-term value.
A mother of two girls, Justine is passionate about supporting initiatives that strengthen communities, expand access to services, and empower individuals. Her work reflects a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and building sustainable organizations that make a meaningful impact.
Kira Gregson
Kira is a Partner with Sequeira Partners, a boutique corporate advisory firm based in Western Canada, where she specializes in business valuation. Kira brings more than 14 years of experience in accounting and finance, and has advised a diverse client base, ranging from independent businesses to large publicly traded companies, across a variety of industries including industrial services, engineering, construction, and technology. Outside of the office, Kira regularly presents on the topic of private company valuations at the University of Alberta and sits on an advisory board for a local Edmonton-based business. In her downtime, she enjoys road biking, fueling her coffee addiction, and spending time with her husband and two young sons. Kira is honoured to sit on the 2026 Rose Council; she looks forward to engaging in important conversations and bringing awareness to the issues of gender-based violence to her communities and network.
Lacey Ranslam
Lacey Ranslam is a Social Worker, therapist, and consultant with over 17 years of experience supporting individuals and organizations in mental health and trauma-informed care. She began her career in health care before joining the City of Edmonton, where she supported crime and gender-based violence prevention initiatives and provided counselling and group support to individuals impacted by domestic violence. She also worked in employee wellness, helping advance trauma-informed approaches and workplace mental health initiatives.
In 2024, Lacey launched her private practice, LP Counselling and Consulting. She is also an instructor at NorQuest College in the Justice and Social Work program. She loves a great coffee, a good book, a new adventure, and enjoying the mountains with her family.
Lacey believes in the power of community to support growth and create change. She has previously been involved with Children’s Wish Foundation, Elizabeth Fry Society of Northern Alberta and fundraising, advocacy and awareness raising efforts in our community. She is excited to work alongside others on the Rose Council who share a commitment to ending gender-based violence.
Laurie Wang
Laurie Wang, BA, MBA, is the Vice-President, People, Corporate Strategy & Engagement at Legal Aid Alberta. Laurie served on the YWCA Board of Directors from 2023 to 2026 and she currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Derrick Golf and Winter Club. Her professional achievements include: Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 by Edify Magazine, International Gold Quill Award from the International Association of Business Communicators, Canadian YWCA Representative to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, Connector of the Year from the YEG Startup Community Awards, Expert Panelist and Contributor for Forbes Communications Council and Alberta’s Top Employer.
Laurie was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and came to Alberta when she was three years old. Her family’s journey is what drives her commitment to community, equity, and leveling the playing field: mentoring young women, supporting financial literacy, raising awareness for Legal Aid, and advancing the mission of YWCA Edmonton. A pragmatic optimist, she believes in living by example—with sass and joy.
Mike Saunders
As Senior Vice President, Qualico Properties, Mike oversees the investment, development, leasing, property management and asset management of all Qualico income-producing properties, which includes mixed-use, office, retail, residential, and light industrial buildings. With a goal to help build better cities, Mike is focused on delivering on the mandate to grow the portfolio throughout Canada. Mike enjoys building high-performing teams by understanding individual strengths, empowering staff members, and leading by example. He works hard to grow and foster strong relationships within the industry.
Mike is a strong advocate for corporate responsibility and believes in the role businesses play in fostering gender equality. His support for the Rose Campaign – a national advocacy initiative dedicated to ending violence against women, girls, and gender minorities – stems from both his professional values and his personal life as a father to two daughters. He understands the importance of creating opportunities for women to succeed, ensuring safe and equitable environments, and using his platform to drive meaningful change.
Mike Vivian
Sara Kalke
Sara Kalke is a RE/MAX REALTOR® based in Edmonton, with over 20 years of experience helping clients navigate one of life’s most significant decisions. Recognized as a top 5 individual RE/MAX agent in Edmonton by commissions earned and a recipient of the RE/MAX Circle of Legends – one of the most prestigious distinctions in Canadian real estate – Sara has built a career defined by integrity, expertise, and genuine care for the people she serves.
Beyond her sales practice, Sara is a sought-after coach and international keynote speaker who has worked with hundreds of women in real estate across Canada. Her coaching focuses on the real conversations the industry doesn’t always make room for: burnout, resilience, courage, and navigating grief and loss with grace. Her audiences leave not just motivated, but genuinely equipped with tools, perspective, and the reassurance that they are not alone.
Sara is a dedicated supporter of charitable causes across Edmonton. Her advocacy for women – in real estate, in business, and in life, reflects a belief that when women are supported, entire communities are lifted.
Theresa Vladicka
Theresa (MA, BA with Distinction) is an avid volunteer in her community, currently serving on the boards of REACH Edmonton and Wrestling Canada Lutte. Previous volunteer work includes the Edmonton Social Planning Council, Friends of the World Cup of Wrestling, United Way, her children’s daycare and her local community league.
Professionally, Theresa is Associate Director, Government Relations for EPCOR, responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to engage with all levels of government. Prior to EPCOR, Theresa worked for five years at MacEwan University as Director, Government Relations, and as Acting Vice President, University Relations when the university started its capital fundraising campaign for a new School of Business building.
Ms. Vladicka’s career also includes 13-years with the Government of Alberta in a variety of ministries, including Executive Council, Advanced Education, Children’s Service, Culture and Tourism, and Innovation and Economic Development. She also served on high priority task forces, including the 2013 Southern Alberta Flood Recovery Task Force and the 2026 Olympic Bid Secretariate.
Vandy Lipinski
Vandy has recently retired from over 35 years in the Oil Marketing sector, 25 of those years operating a sales and distribution business with her husband Danny.
Being a woman in business has taught Vandy that its not always easy on many fronts but the rewards and accomplishments have certainly outweighed the challenges.
Having been fortunate to attend the Rose Campaign Breakfast for the last several years, Vandy has always walked away thinking this Campaign is making a difference and helping to build a stronger future for my daughter. Now with retirement upon her, she can hopefully help to keep the momentum going.
Vandy looks forward to being a part of a great organization and working along side some very talented individuals.
