Shaping a Resilient Economy Through Community & Dynamic Strategies
Release Date: 01/08/2025
Pipe Ceremony Reflection
Let's Talk Poverty
In December 2024, VCC hosted 25 Indigenous Elders, , and community members for a pipe ceremony to honour their work, strengthen connections, and discuss Indigenous perspectives on building a future where there is enough for all. Aligning with Indigenous teachings of oral storytelling traditions, this reflection captures the conversations, wisdom, and experiences shared during the gathering. Rather than a conventional summary, this blog follows the flow of dialogue and storytelling, allowing the voices of those present to guide the narrative. The audio recording by Elder Wanda First...
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Quality in Canada's Built Environment
Let's Talk Poverty
In this episode of Let’s Talk Poverty, Meaghon Reid connects with Dr. Brian R. Sinclair about the Quality in Canada’s Built Environment research project, including Calgary’s role in the project, and the challenges and opportunities of Calgary’s urban landscape.
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Shaping a Resilient Economy Through Community & Dynamic Strategies
Let's Talk Poverty
In this episode of Meaghon Reid speaks with Kate Koplovich from to discuss and explore how dynamic strategies like can drive meaningful social and systemic change. In this episode Explore the role of Calgary Economic Development and the Uplook strategy in driving economic development that directly impacts poverty reduction, with a focus on creating opportunities for all Calgarians. Learn how Uplook incorporates elements of community development and how Calgary Economic Development partners with local organizations to ensure accessibility and inclusivity in economic...
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Exploring the Arts, Belonging, and Systems Change
Let's Talk Poverty
In this episode of , Meaghon Reid speaks with , CEO & President of to explore how the arts can drive systems change, reduce barriers for patrons and artists, and foster civic dialogue.
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Making Ends Meet
Let's Talk Poverty
Making Ends Meet is a work from creator Sage Cannon. This project was part of Sage’s Master of Fine Arts research at the University of Calgary. Sage had the privilege of working with three young adults who opened themselves up to a creative process and told her their lived experiences of poverty. Sage also includes her own experiences of poverty throughout childhood and adulthood in this project, and the work has been a process of community coming together to share stories. These creations teach us about how people react and talk about poverty and ultimately how we don't talk about it...
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Examining Homelessness in Calgary
Let's Talk Poverty
In this episode of Let’s Talk Poverty, Meaghon Reid connects with Lee Stevens, Policy and Research Specialist at VCC and Nick Falvo, a leading researcher on housing and homelessness to discuss the No Place To Go report, its findings and further actions that need to be taken to end homelessness in Calgary.
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Interventions and Supports for Domestic Violence
Let's Talk Poverty
In this episode of Let’s Talk Poverty, Meaghon Reid connects with Leslie Hill, Executive Director of Discovery House, about the realities of support provided to those affected by domestic violence, the need for trauma-informed care and the importance of policy changes to provide long-term support and prevention. Resources 24-Hour Violence Helpline: If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, please call 403-234-7233. This helpline is available 24/7 with supportive professionals on the other end. Learn more about the incredible work being...
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Designing Trauma Informed Spaces
Let's Talk Poverty
In this episode of Let's Talk Poverty, Lee Stevens connects with Jill Pable, a professor at Florida State University and creator of the non-profit, Design Resources for Homelessness, to discuss trauma informed design principles ofr homelessness.
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Incarcerating Trauma
Let's Talk Poverty
In this episode of Let’s Talk Poverty, Jaclyn Silbernagel connects with Dan Jones, a police-officer turned academic to discuss human-centered and trauma-informed practices in the criminal Justice system, the victim-offender overlap, and how evidence-based practice can reduce crime. Resources referenced in this episode:
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Fighting Loneliness for Well-Being
Let's Talk Poverty
In this episode of Let's Talk Poverty, Meaghon Reid connects with Dr. Richard Lewanczuk, Edmonton-based endocrinologist and Senior Medical Director of Health System Integration for Alberta Health Services to discuss loneliness and its impacts on health and well-being.
info_outlineIn this episode of Let’s Talk Poverty Meaghon Reid speaks with Kate Koplovich from Calgary Economic Development to discuss and explore how dynamic strategies like Uplook can drive meaningful social and systemic change.
In this episode
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Explore the role of Calgary Economic Development and the Uplook strategy in driving economic development that directly impacts poverty reduction, with a focus on creating opportunities for all Calgarians.
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Learn how Uplook incorporates elements of community development and how Calgary Economic Development partners with local organizations to ensure accessibility and inclusivity in economic opportunities.
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Understand how Uplook plans to evolve in response to emerging challenges and opportunities, and the importance of balancing formal economic strategies with community-led initiatives to shape Calgary's economic future.
Three key takeaways
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How the Uplook strategy is committed to fostering inclusive economic growth by addressing poverty through targeted initiatives that ensure equitable access to opportunities, paving the way for a more balanced and resilient economy.
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Community-centred collaboration is key to building a more inclusive economy, where partnerships with local organizations make economic opportunities accessible to everyone, especially those who have been marginalized.
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The future of Calgary’s economy depends on adaptive strategies that combine formal economic planning with community-led initiatives, ensuring a sustainable and resilient economy shaped by both professional expertise and local leadership.
About Kate Koplovich
Born and raised in Calgary, Kate’s purpose and passion is the city of Calgary. In her work with Calgary Economic Development, as the Director of Strategy, she does this by leading Uplook: An Action Plan for Our Economy, Calgary's long-term economic plan, and Calgary Economic Development's internal corporate strategies.
Prior to Calgary Economic Development, she was with Deloitte's Sustainability & Climate Change team. I hold an MSc in Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment from University College London and continue to do economic policy analysis at Calgary Economic Development.
Outside of work she is an avid outdoors(wo)man, has completed two Half Iron (wo)Mans, and is passionate about music and the arts in all its forms. To give back to the community, she volunteers with the Calgary Youth Justice Society's In The Lead program and sits on the Board of Directors for Connecting Environmental Professionals Calgary, a grassroots networking organization for young professionals in the environmental and sustainability sector.
Useful Information/Resources/ Show Notes:
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Read more about the 'The Uplook Strategy' from Calgary Economic Development
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Learn more about Kate’s book recommendations mentioned in the episode–' American Dirt' by Jeanine Cummins and ‘The Stuff of Thought’ by Brian Steven Pinker.
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