Ask Her YYC and Calgary Outlink are teaming up to host an in-person panel event focused on the representation of 2SLGBTQ+ community members in politics and municipal leadership. The panel will explore why it’s critical to have these voices at the table, share success stories, and call out obstacles that need to be dismantled.

This event will also include networking time to build community and make impactful connections. Big, big thank you to our generous host venue, Born Brewing Co. This a kid-friendly event and brewery, so feel free to bring them along!

Our panel includes:

MLA Janis Irwin (She/Her)

Janis Irwin was elected to represent Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood in 2019. Janis is currently the Official Opposition Deputy Whip and the Critic for Women and LGBTQ2S+ Issues. Prior to serving as an MLA, Janis devoted over a decade to the field of education, where she worked for Alberta Education as the Senior Manager, Social Studies, and then as the Executive Director for High School Curriculum. She started her career working in rural Alberta as a high school teacher and as a vice principal. Janis holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Alberta and a master’s degree in education from the University of Calgary. Over the years she has served as a board member for several nonprofit associations, and has volunteered with a number of organizations. Janis enjoys an active lifestyle and spending her spare time running and biking and exploring Edmonton’s beautiful River Valley.

Lana Bentley (She/Her)

Lana Bentley ran in the 2021 municipal election where she placed second in the Ward 6 race. Lana has worked as the Director of Strategy at YW Calgary since 2016. Prior to that Lana worked for Alberta Health Services for nearly a decade. In her final role with AHS she managed an inpatient psychiatric unit and psychiatric emergency room for children and youth. A therapist by training, Lana earned both her BSW and MSW from the University of Calgary. A believer in the power of post-secondary education Lana has proudly taught at Bow Valley College, the University of Calgary, and Mount Royal University. In her spare time, Lana volunteers with different community organizations. She is the board Chair for the SHARP Foundation, a board member with Youth Central Calgary, the Calgary Black Chambers, and she was appointed as a Public Member with the Alberta College of Opticians in 2020. When Lana is not working or volunteering you can find her adding to her ever-growing sneaker collection, playing the blues on her Telecaster, or working the heavy bag as she pursues her new goal of surviving a three round boxing match.

Anna Murphy (She/Her/Hers)

Anna Murphy is a woman fiercely passionate to call Calgary and our communities home - she is a community minded and engaged advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ and Women’s Issues, while striving to be a champion for diversity, inclusion, and equity. Anna has the privilege of serving a city of trailblazers in a voluntary capacity as Vice Chair for the Gender Equity Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Subcommittee of the City of Calgary Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee (SWAC), sitting on the Calgary Stampede Community Connections Subcommittee, and being a representative for Calgary on the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Council. She is committed to giving her time to inspire even the smallest change, giving back in an effort to forge safe and affirming communities where all see their future being an achievable reality. Beyond the immense honour of volunteering within her community, Anna leads from her lived experience as a transgender woman who has navigated the realities which come from adversity and barriers created as a result of cultural and systemic inequity, unemployment and underemployment, and lack of representation. When not building community, Anna enjoys live music - especially performances by local country music artists, visiting one of many local businesses and restaurants for a day of rest, going non-stop during the thunderous energy of Stampede, and when time allows escaping to the foothills or majestic rockies for some relaxation.

Michelle Robinson (She/Her/They/Them) - Moderator

She is Red Thunderwoman, her colonial name is Michelle Robinson. She is a Sahtu Dene, a mother, wife, activist, political organizer, podcast host and has "Indian Status" imposed by the Canadian Government. Michelle has been involved in the political world on the federal, provincial and municipal levels. She was the first First Nations woman to run for Calgary City Council, and also ran to be a provincial MLA. Michelle has also been a very active volunteer for numerous non profit events and organizations, school, community events, and politics at the federal level.

We're excited to see you there!

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This event is part of Ask Her's She Belongs event series which is designed to help you use your skills, strengths, and perspectives to make a difference in your community.

Find your voice. Find your role. Find your community. #SheBelongs

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We are committed to keeping our events accessible, so tickets to this event are free. If you're interested in supporting our work, donations can be made to:

https://askheryyc.org/donate

and

https://www.calgaryoutlink.ca/donate