Speakers
Kaleidoscope Program
Elder Virgle Stephens
Stoney Nakoda First Nation
Virgle Stephens is a respected elder of the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. He is dedicated to preserving and promoting Stoney Nakoda culture, particularly through language and education. Elder Stephens emphasizes the importance of education to bridge differences between people and foster understanding. He actively participates in initiatives aimed at preserving the Stoney Nakoda language and sharing cultural knowledge with younger generations. Elder Stephens is an elder at the University of Calgary serving on various circles, including the Circle of Advisors and the Landscape Elders Circle. Elder Stephens has contributed to various community programs and educational projects in community. Additionally, he has worked with local schools, such as Longview School, to help students understand and acknowledge the history and culture of the Stoney Nakoda people. Elder Stephens' efforts highlight the vital role of Indigenous elders in maintaining cultural heritage and fostering intercultural dialogue. His work serves as a bridge between generations and communities, promoting mutual respect and understanding.
Elder Ollie Benjamin
Stoney Nakoda First Nation
Ollie Benjamin was born to Paul Dixon Jr. and Lily Benjamin on the Stoney Nakoda Nation. He is a Traditional Knowledge Keeper. Ollie speaks the Nakoda Sioux language and endeavours to maintain and pass the culture to all in the community, particularly the youth. As part of his stewardship, he hunts and gathers, provides for the Elders and shares the Nakoda Sioux "way of going". Most of his time is spent outdoors training horses and following the Natural Laws which have existed for eons and form the basis of every aspect of the Traditional Life. Ollie's understanding and Land Based Training have given him many opportunities to share, including with The University of Calgary in assisting with the development of natural pathways that incorporate native plants and medicinal herbs.
Mary-Jo Romaniuk
Vice-Provost (Libraries and Cultural Resources)
Dr. Mary-Jo Romaniuk is the Vice Provost of Libraries and Cultural Resources at the University of Calgary, Canada, a position she has held since 2018. Her portfolio includes libraries, archives and special collections, museums and galleries, the University Press, the copyright office and the Prairie Research Data Centre. From 2014-2018, she was the University Librarian at the University of Manitoba and previously held various senior positions at the University of Alberta. She also has held adjunct appointments and lectured at SLIS at the University of Alberta and for the MMLIS program at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. Dr. Romaniuk continues as a member of University of Southern California, Center for Library Leadership and Management Board.
Currently, she is President of the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL). She is the Chair of the Research and Assessment Committee of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and is also the Chair of the Intensive Learning Program Task Force (ARL).
In 2025 Mary-Jo was also elected to the Board of Hathi Trust and to the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC) and continues on both of these Boards.
Mary-Jo has been active in IFLA since 2009, initially as a member of Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning and more recently in an executive capacity on the Statistics and Evaluation Section, and now on the Library Theory and Research Section.
Dr. Romaniuk is the co-executive director of the research based Northern Exposure to Leadership Program that has been in existence since 1994 and provides leadership development for emerging leaders from all types of libraries.
Mary-Jo has research interests in leadership, leadership development, library administration, assessment and evaluation, and innovative technologies.
Dr. Romaniuk has a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Saskatchewan; an MLIS from San Jose State University; and a PhD from Queensland University of Technology.
In 2010 she was recognized by Library Journal as a “Mover and Shaker” and in 2022 was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for her leadership in the profession and collaborative work in library organizations.
Lori Birrell
University Librarian and Dean of the University of Saskatchewan Library
Dr. Lori Birrell is the University Librarian and Dean of the University of Saskatchewan Library, where she provides strategic leadership for six library locations central to the university's research, teaching, and learning mission. She brings extensive experience from research‑intensive universities in the United States, with a background that includes overseeing special collections, advancing organizational strategy, and strengthening scholarly access. A strong advocate for inclusive, student‑centred libraries and collaborative research support, Dr. Birrell is committed to positioning the library as a welcoming, innovative hub for the entire campus community.
Brianna Calomino
she/her
Digital Projects Librarian, University of Calgary
Brianna Calomino is a Digital Projects Librarian who supports digital scholarship, scholarly communications, and open access publishing initiatives at the University of Calgary. In her role she manages the institutional repository, PRISM, and Open Journal Systems, as well as consults with researchers on their open publishing needs. She also helps support the university's makerspace, LabNEXT. Brianna has a passion for information accessibility and innovative teaching, striving to create inclusive learning environments.
Merran Carr-Wiggin
she/her
Student Experience Librarian, University of Calgary
Merran is the Student Experience Librarian at the University of Calgary. Before this she held positions at Calgary Public Library, Dalhousie University Libraries, and Edmonton Public Library. She completed her MLIS degree at the University of Alberta and Dalhousie University. She also has a BFA in Acting and a BA Honours in Drama, and has worked professionally across Canada as an actor and studied with leading theatre and voice professionals. Merran uses these skills to lead persuasive public speaking workshops at the university with her colleague Julia Guy.
Sydney Chappus
she/they
Information Specialist, University of Calgary
Sydney Chappus is an Information Specialist on LCR's Public Service Team with a Library Information Technology Diploma from SAIT. In her role, Sydney supports the library service desks and online chat and contributes to the library's research data management initiatives and citation software support offerings, while also advancing accessibility work as part of the IDEA working group. Her professional interests focus on enhancing the patron experience and improving accessibility within library services, with a commitment to creating more inclusive and effective support for diverse user needs.
Kim Clarke
Director of Staff Engagement, Libraries and Cultural Resources at the University of Calgary and the Acting Director of Learning Support at the University of Manitoba
Kim Clarke is the Director of Staff Engagement (LCR) and the Acting Director of Learning Support at the University of Manitoba. She obtained her B.A. and LL.B. from the University of Manitoba and her MLIS from the University of Alberta. Kim worked as a law librarian at The Ohio State University and then at Pacific McGeorge School of Law in California where she was the Assistant Dean for Library and Research Services before joining LCR as its Director of the Bennett Jones Law Library. Kim taught introductory and advanced legal research courses as well as a seminar on the impact of technology on the practice of law. Her current research projects focus on the citation practices of Canadian courts.
Claudette Cloutier
she/her
Associate University Librarian for Facilities, Infrastructure and Technology at the University of Calgary
Claudette Cloutier (she/her) is the Associate University Library for Facilities, Infrastructure and Technology at the University of Calgary. Claudette oversees all renovation and construction projects, facilities support, systems and technology within all library, archival and museum spaces. Claudette has been with Libraries and Cultural Resources for over 25 years and has worked as a science librarian before moving into administrative roles. Claudette has a BSc in Comparative Physiology from the University of Victoria and an MLIS from the University of Alberta.
Sandra Davidson
Provost, University of Calgary
Dr. Sandra Davidson, appointed Provost effective July 1, 2024, has held pivotal roles at the University of Calgary, including Dean of the Faculty of Nursing from 2018 to 2024 and Deputy Provost from 2021 to 2023. With a distinguished career spanning private for-profit, public not-for-profit, and various public academic institutions, Dr. Davidson is widely recognized for her entrepreneurial mindset and innovative contributions to both academia and healthcare. She is a nationally and internationally acclaimed leader, most recently honoured with the Academic Administrative Excellence Award by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) in 2024, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal by The Kidney Foundation of Canada in 2025.
During her tenure as Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Dr. Davidson spearheaded a significant expansion of graduate enrollment, introducing eight graduate certificates and a pathway leading to a master's degree in nursing. Under her leadership, the faculty launched Canada's second Doctor of Nursing (DN) program in 2023, focusing on health systems transformation. Additionally, she championed the development of pathways tailored for rural/remote and Indigenous communities within the undergraduate nursing program, enabling students to study as UCalgary nursing students while remaining in their home communities.
Her research concentrates on health systems leadership and healthcare innovation, driving scholarship and leadership across community, professional organizations, academic institutions, and practice settings. Dr. Davidson collaborates extensively to co-create innovative models of learning and health systems leadership. She is a prolific author, contributing texts, chapters, and journal articles, and has mentored numerous nurse leaders, influencing leadership paradigms within complex adaptive health networks.
Internationally recognized as a thought leader and futurist, Dr. Davidson regularly presents pioneering advancements in learning, leadership, and practice technologies at global forums attended by academic and practice leaders.
Dr. Davidson received her Nursing Diploma from Lethbridge College and completed her BN at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. She pursued her graduate studies at Gonzaga University, earning an MSN and a PhD in Leadership Studies.
Kim Geraldi
she/her
Southern Alberta History Archivist, University of Calgary
Kim Geraldi (she/her) is the Southern Alberta History Archivist with Libraries and Cultural Resources at the University of Calgary. After completing her MISt at McGill University in 2016, she had the pleasure of working in libraries and archives across Canada finally making her way back to Calgary, in the heart of Treaty 7, where she was born and raised. As a person of mixed Indo-Caribbean and Caucasian heritage questions around identity and belonging are foundational to her praxis. Her own research focuses on trust building with equity deserving groups, ways in which we can decolonize the archives, and how we can make the archives a more inclusive place for everyone.
Julia Guy
she/her
Digital Projects Librarian GIS, University of Calgary
Julia is the Digital Project Librarian GIS at the University of Calgary, where she leads the Spatial and Numeric Data Services team. She has an MA in Digital Humanities and MLIS from the University of Alberta. Before becoming a librarian, Julia earned a BFA in Acting and performed professionally on some of the biggest stages in Canada. Along with her colleague, Merran Carr-Wiggin, Julia uses her theatre background to offer storytelling, research communications, and persuasive presenting workshops/coaching for a variety of audiences at UCalgary and beyond.
Michele Hardy
Curatorial Director for Nickle Galleries and Adjunct Professor of the Department of Art and Art History, University of Calgary
Michele Hardy is Curatorial Director for Nickle Galleries and Adjunct Professor of the Department of Art and Art History, University of Calgary. Hardy studied art and textiles before earning a PhD in Anthropology. Joining Nickle Galleries in 2005, she regularly curates exhibitions of art, textiles, craft, and material culture. Hardy's teaching and curatorial work seek to interrogate museums' contemporary relevance and forge new creative connections between art collections and community.
Christie Hurrell
she/her
Associate University Librarian for Collections, Content Services, and Research Support at the University of Calgary
Christie Hurrell (she/her) is the Associate University Librarian for Collections, Content Services, and Research Support at the University of Calgary. Christie's research and practice interests stem from her interest in new ways of sharing and tracking the impact of research. Christie has an MA in Communications and Culture from Toronto Metropolitan (formerly Ryerson) and York Universities, and an MLIS from the University of British Columbia.
Jennifer Lee
she/her/hers
Librarian, Collections assessment, Collections
Jennifer is currently a Collections Assessment and Collections Librarian. Interests include quantitative collection assessment and collection development. She was previously a liaison librarian for numerous sciences and related subjects, as well as Distance Education Librarian, and part-time Librarian for the Health Knowledge Network (a regional health information consortium). She has a B.Sc. in Physiology and a Master of Information Studies.
Kaia MacLeod
Indigenous Cataloguing Librarian, University of Calgary
Kaia MacLeod is the University of Calgary's Indigenous Cataloguing Librarian. Kaia is of dual heritage, both a member of the James Smith Cree Nation and of Scottish decent. She is a 2020 ALA Spectrum Scholar, a 2020-2021 ARL Kaleidoscope member, and is part of a library family with both her father and sister working in the field. Kaia's educational background includes receiving a bachelor of arts majoring in film studies, which she calls a degree in movie watching, as well as a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta. She achieved tenure and promotion to Associate Librarian in 2026. She works on various projects, including giving art tours, cataloguing law and comic books, and researching focuses on how we can make the catalogue more representative.
Christena McKillop
Associate University Librarian for Teaching & Learning, University of Calgary
Christena McKillop is the Associate University Librarian for Teaching & Learning. Previously, she was the librarian for the Department of English, as well for Gender & Sexuality Studies at the University of Calgary. She has held other roles in Libraries & Cultural Resources since joining the University of Calgary in 2018. Previously, Christena was at the University of Western Ontario and held the position of Director, Education Library in the Faculty of Education for Western Libraries. Christena has held leadership roles in public and corporate libraries in Canada and the U.S. Christena's research interests include student learning and engagement, information literacy, and primary source literacy. Christena holds a M.L.I.S. from the University of Western Ontario and a B.A. from the University of Toronto, Canada. She currently is the lead bibliographer for the Margaret Atwood Society's Annual Atwood Bibliography (atwoodsociety.org).
Annie Murray
she/her/hers
Rare Books and Special Collections Librarian in Archives and Special Collections, University of Calgary
Annie Murray is the Rare Books and Special Collections Librarian in Archives and Special Collections. She works with rare books and other special materials, curates collection-based exhibitions, and works with instructors to integrate materials into classroom learning and assignments. She obtained a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature and a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of British Columbia.
Jason Nisenson
Associate University Librarian for Galleries, Archives & Special Collections, University of Calgary
Jason Nisenson is the Associate University Librarian for Galleries, Archives & Special Collections. Prior to assuming this role, he was Lead at the University's branch library at the Military Museums. He began his career in academic libraries late (43!), at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto where he was the McLuhan Project Librarian.
Jenelle Pasiechnik
Assistant Curator of Art, Nickle Galleries, University of Calgary
Jenelle Pasiechnik is an alumna of the University of Calgary, and holds a Masters in art history and visual studies from the University of Victoria, 2015. She acted as the Curator of Contemporary Art at the Campbell River Art Gallery from 2018 to 2025, where she worked to ensure diverse communities, perspectives, and identities were represented through exhibitions and outreach programming. In October 2025, Jenelle became the Curator of Art at The Nickle Galleries, University of Calgary. Through her curatorial methodology, Jenelle strives to make space for the resurgence and celebration of under-represented cultural perspectives, the recovery of erased histories, and the presentation of multi-vocal exhibitions.
Lelland Reed
she/her
Associate Librarian and Director of Access Services for Archives & Special Collections, University of Calgary
Lelland Reed (she/her) is an Associate Librarian and Director of Access Services for Archives & Special Collections at the University of Calgary, on the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7. After graduating from the University of Toronto with an MI(LIS) in 2016, she worked in the libraries and archives of CBC, TVO, and NSCAD University before joining UCalgary in 2022. A settler of European ancestry, primarily Irish, Lelland is mindful of the privilege she carries and the responsibility of stewarding collections within colonial institutions. Her research focuses on the activation of archives and special collections in teaching and learning, and on trust and mistrust in information practices, particularly how stewardship and relationship building can make these spaces more welcoming.
Kathryn Ruddock
she/her
Director, Digital Services, University of Calgary
Kathryn Ruddock is a second-generation Canadian of Indian and Trinidadian descent. She earned her Master of Library and Information Science from Western University in 2008 and began her career with University of Calgary Libraries as a hospital librarian before moving into digital collections, digitization, and repository services. Since 2021, she has served as Director, Digital Services. Her work focuses on inclusive access to cultural heritage and scholarly collections, sustainable digital infrastructure, and the long-term stewardship of diverse knowledge. Her current research includes digital content sensitivity, Indigenous information governance, and the preservation, description, and access needs of non-traditional theses. She also serves as Chair of the Canadian Coalition for Digital Heritage Advisory Committee.
Event Support
Shelly McNeil-Picken
Administrative Assistant, Senior Team Support
Shelly has served in several administrative roles at UCalgary since 2012, having worked at the Cumming School of Medicine, Schulich School of Engineering and the Faculty of Nursing, including at the University of Calgary’s campus in Qatar. Since 2024, she has provided administrative support for the Office of the Vice Provost and senior leadership team in Libraries and Cultural Resources.
Barb Murray
Manager, Office of Vice-Provost & University Librarian
Barb has served as Manager of the Office of the Vice-Provost (Libraries and Cultural Resources) at the University of Calgary since 2006. In this role, she provides operational leadership and oversees academic career processes. Barb holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts), a Bachelor of Education, and a Management Certificate (Human Resources) all from the University of Calgary.
Jennifer Sowa
Manager Communications and Marketing
Jennifer is a member of the communications and marketing team in Libraries and Cultural Resources, serving as the main contact for media relations and supporting event planning for the Office of the Vice Provost. She has been with the University of Calgary for 18 years, having worked at the Schulich School of Engineering and the Office of Partnerships. Her educational background is in journalism, communications, marketing and management.