Speakers
Rob Barber
Chief Creative Officer, ATOMIC
Since joining ATOMIC in 2010 as vice president of Modular Systems + R&D divisions and recently named ATOMIC’s Chief Creative Officer, Rob has been instrumental in leading ATOMIC’s product development efforts and propelling ATOMIC to be an industry leader in modular scenic stage products.
He and his team have introduced over 100 new products and several patented product lines. His team celebrates 13 industry-related design awards and multiple patents.
With world headquarters in Lititz, PA, Rob has also successfully launched operations in Los Angeles, Miami, Tokyo, Singapore, and Frankfurt.
Clients include an extensive list of entertainment and media brands such as iHeartRadio, MTV, FOX Sports, NBC, Warner Bros. Discovery, Hulu, The Talk, and Ellen, and tours for artists like Madonna, Usher, Elton John, Miranda Lambert and Mötley Crüe.
Additionally, Rob has spoken both nationally and internationally throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia on a variety of topics including leadership and creativity.
Prior to ATOMIC, Rob was part of development team for Eggland’s Best Eggs and developed and patented the technology for printing on eggs, as well as designed the technology for environmentally controlled poultry houses.
He has a formal education in fine woodworking, computer science, and business management…an oddly weird and perfect fit for ATOMIC.
Recent accomplishments involve a published essay in the book "Lights on Lancaster" (John R. Gerdy), delivering a commencement speech, and receiving both the Medal of Honor from the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design and receiving The Special Event Gala Lifetime Achievement Award.
Rob serves nationally on the Advisory Board of the Parnelli Awards, acknowledging outstanding achievement in Concert Touring and Live Events. Locally, he actively serves on the board of the Lancaster County Community Foundation, guiding philanthropy and managing endowments that shape Lancaster County. These esteemed awards recognize individuals who have made significant impact in the fields of design and creativity.
Kimberly Lyall
Kimberly Lyall is an award-winning speaker, consultant, and author who ‘Lights up Leaders! Audiences say she leaves them feeling full of light, hope, and confidence that they can overcome any obstacle.
Kimberly has created success for organizations, governments, and communities throughout North America as a transformational leadership and innovation specialist. Alongside her many accomplishments, Kimberly’s experiences rebuilding an organization following employee fraud and death, as well as grieving the death of her own husband, make her uniquely equipped to support leaders navigating major change. While she focuses on audiences working in the areas of community and social change, Kimberly believes that everyone has the ability to make a difference in the world!
Brandi Heather
Employee Engagement Expert, Playful Change Maker, Best-Selling Author
Known for her humor, hopefulness, and depth of experience as a college professor, therapeutic play specialist, author, and speaker, Brandi Heather brings a unique and valuable perspective to growing organizations who want to effectively restore, retain, and re-engage their caring workforce.
Known for her powerful energy and 25+ years of experience as a College Professor and Therapeutic Play Specialist, she is tackling fatigue, burnout and disengagement in the compassionate workforce utilizing the serious science of play and creativity.
Her cutting-edge recruitment, retention, and engagement strategies delivered in custom keynotes and workshops drive innovation, inclusion and productivity. Brandi is taking care of people who take care of people!
She tackles compassion and perfection fatigue, burnout, disengagement, and disconnection with high-energy, interactive keynotes and workshops. With an emphasis on mental wellness and the often-underappreciated superpowers of creativity, courage, and connection, Brandi powerfully transforms stigmas into strengths and connects entire teams with a formula for restoring, retaining, and re-engaging your compassion-led workforce. With 25 years in education and disability inclusion, she has taught thousands of people how to take care of themselves so they can take care of others.
With a Master's degree in Physical Education, a B.Ed. in Special Education, a Diversity and Inclusion certificate from Cornell University, and advanced certification in Play Therapy, Brandi is dedicated to restoring connection, courage and creativity to your caring workforce. Introducing Brandi Heather
Her action-packed, interactive programs leave audiences feeling confident, connected, and charged up!
Find out that the solutions are always In PLAY!
Cathy MacRae
Cathy MacRae is a dynamic entrepreneur renowned for her expertise in wedding planning and social media strategy. Transitioning from a successful 15-year career as a public school educator in 2008, Cathy founded Creative Weddings Planning & Design, a thriving wedding planning business known for crafting unforgettable and bespoke weddings in Calgary and the Canadian Rockies with clients from around the globe. In recent years, Cathy's passion for teaching reignited, leading her to establish Someday Consulting. Leveraging her extensive experience in social media, she guides business owners and other entrepreneurs in refining their branding and marketing strategies, effectively navigating the digital landscape while also prioritizing self-care. A sought-after speaker at local workshops and global conferences, Cathy shares invaluable insights on social media optimization, digital marketing, and branding. She manages social media initiatives for a number of clients while also teaching business owners time-saving strategies that allow them to streamline their business and marketing efforts. Her social media expertise empowers entrepreneurs to realize and transform their business aspirations, while at the same time, equipping her audience with practical strategies for success in the ever-evolving world of social media marketing and beyond.
Dr. Caroline Brookfield
Creative Catalyst, Speaker, Author
Dr. Caroline Brookfield is a veterinarian, author, speaker, entrepreneur, and award-winning innovator. She discovered the joy of merging her creative and scientific sides, and is passionate about sharing how a creative mindset can make life better at home and at work. Caroline holds a DVM from the Ontario Veterinary College, a Certificate of Professional Management from the University of Calgary, and is a level 2 Creative Problem Solving facilitator. Caroline is a published researcher, and author of “The Reluctant Creative: 5 Effortless Habits to Expand Your Comfort Zone.” Her late diagnosis of ADHD gives her a unique perspective on finding success as a professional with neurodiversity, as well as distilling complicated concepts into actionable takeaways. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, where her lectures go unheeded by her family. The dog listens, if treats are involved.
Glen Iles
Glenn’s entire career has been in Sales & Marketing. Starting with IBM as a Sales Executive and then Brand Manager, he transitioned to Hospitality and living in the mountains, calling
Whistler home for 20 years. Fun fact, Glenn and his wife opened the Cow’s Ice Cream store in Whistler and owned it for 4 years. He worked as a Marketing Manager at Delta Whistler Resort, then as Director of Sales & Marketing at Delta Whistler Village Suites. Glenn was also responsible for opening the Delta Sun Peaks Resort and Four Seasons Resort Whistler.
Deciding to try the other side of the fence, Glenn started an event company where he planned events including 3 large events with Deepak Chopra, an annual weeklong wellness festival and
3 years of the Whistler Yoga Conference. With the Olympics looming he hopped back into hotels and worked with an independent hotel to reposition it, and then became General
Manager of a retreat centre. Family and different mountains brought Glenn to Alberta to the Delta Kananaskis Lodge and the transition of that hotel to a Marriott Autograph Collection
Hotel. He then joined Marriott working Task Force with primary postings in Delta Trois Rivieres and Sheraton Centre Toronto. He joined the Marriott and Delta Calgary Airport Hotels in 2017
and was transferred to the Calgary Marriott Downtown just before Covid where he remains today. After 13 hotels he is convinced his next one should have palm trees, a golf course and a beach.
Alyson Robb
Director of Communications and External Relations
Alyson Robb is a public relations specialist with nearly 20 years of experience in the public and private sector. Alyson has worked for different members of government, both at the federal and provincial level, providing communications and strategic political advice. She is also successful in creating positive working
relationships with various stakeholders.
Alyson has managed local, national, and international events and announcements with the Prime Minister’s office, varying Minister’s offices, and local political leaders across Canada. She brings a wealth of experience on executing successful announcements and campaigns with great attention to detail resulting in positive media exposure.
Alyson is passionate about setting up organizations for success. She is currently an active board member with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Federation of Calgary Communities and past board member of Sport Calgary.
Alyson has a depth of knowledge on government relations at all levels and her skills include strategic communications development and management, social media management,
communications product creation and editing, strategic internal communications, media relations, brand management, and stakeholder relations.
She and her husband have three children and Alyson is an active member of the Calgary community.
Jason McKay
Modern Rentals
I'm Jason McKay, honored to serve as the Vice President at Modern Rentals in Calgary. With a distinguished career spanning over 21 years at Winsport, where I held notable positions such as Director of Food & Beverage and Sales, coupled with over 4 years of dedicated service at Modern Rentals, I bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the events and Food & Beverage industry.
At Modern Rentals, our unwavering mission is to deliver unparalleled events and create enduring memories for our clients. Through meticulous attention to detail and a steadfast commitment to innovation, we specialize in orchestrating extraordinary experiences across all event scales.
Beyond my professional endeavors, I find fulfillment in exploring new destinations alongside my partner and cherished canine companions. Additionally, I am privileged to sit on the board of the esteemed Theatre Grand, where I contribute to shaping the cultural landscape of our community. Beyond my commitments to the arts and events, I also have a passion for great tequila, reflected in my Level one certification in the WSET program. In my youth, I proudly represented Saskatchewan as a National Champion in diving, adding a unique dimension to my professional journey.
Niels Hagen
Account Manager, Encore Global
After starting his career in the Events Industry in The Netherlands, he has served many years in the Calgary Event Industry, both in Venue Management and Production Management. With a passion for customer service and experience in ‘pulling rabbits out of hats’, Niels has a proven track record of creating memorable events and building customer loyalty.