JULIE THOMAS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HEALING OUR NATIONS

Julie Thomas is a proud  Mi'kmaq woman from Paq’tnkek First Nation in Nova Scotia. Julie was born and raised in Dartmouth, NS. She graduated from the Nova Scotia Community College in 2007, Business Administration with a concentration in Management. Julie has been working for Healing Our Nations (HON) since 2005 as a summer student/Communications Assistant, cost sharing through her band (Native Community). In 2007 Julie became the Hepatitis C Coordinator, 2008 Community Health Educator, 2013 Program Manager, and in 2015 she was given the title of Executive Director. Julie truly believes that culturally relevant interactive education, prevention and awareness interventions are the key to reducing transmission rates of HIV, Hep C and other sexually transmitted blood borne infections among the First Nations population in Canada.

DR. CARLEN COSTA

SEXOLOGIST, LOVE LEADER & RELATIONSHIP PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Projecting through diverse platforms, Dr. Carlen works to reinforce the message of living a pleasurable and powerful life, in the highest vibration of love in all areas of our lives. Whether Dr. Carlen is hosting her weekly Facebook Live show “Dr.Carlen LIVE,” speaking at campuses all over Ontario, giving expert advice to internationally acclaimed magazines, helping couples through private counseling, or supporting women to take back the power in their lives and own it, Dr. Carlen has had credible success in connecting people to the best in sex, love, relationships and life. Find more about Dr. Carlen on her website: www.drcarlen.com or @drcarlen. She is based out of Ontario, Canada.

ISHMAEL DARO

SOCIAL NEWS EDITOR AT BUZZFEED CANADA

Ishmael Daro’s writing covers a range of topics including politics, media, racial and religious discrimination, and — yes — cute cats. He is also co-host of the Metro News podcast Safe Space, which includes casual conversations about the news of the week with funny and interesting people. He previously worked as a reporter and editor at the National Post and Postmedia News, and although he now lives in Toronto, he will forever be a prairie boy.

DR. LAURIE BETITO

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, AUTHOR, DIRECTOR OF THE PORNHUB SEXUAL WELLNESS CENTER, AND PRESIDENT OF THE SEXUAL HEALTH NETWORK OF QUEBEC

Dr. Laurie is a clinical psychologist with a specialty in sex therapy, and has been a practicing psychotherapist for close to 30 years. For the last 27 years she has been doing radio and television, dispensing sex and relationship advice. She is a regular contributor to various magazines, newspapers and television shows. She is the host of a nightly Canadian syndicated call in show called Passion, where she discusses issues related to sexuality with her listeners.

Dr. Laurie is also President of the Sexual Health Network of Quebec and Past President of the Canadian Sex Research Forum. She is the Director of the Pornhub Sexual Wellness Center, an online sexual health information platform, in addition to the author of “The Sex Bible for People Over 50.” Dr. Laurie has also done two TEDx talks on the subject of sexuality. www.drlaurie.com

CLAIRE DESJARDINS

ARTISTE PEINTRE/FINE ARTIST

Claire Desjardins is an abstract painter who comes from a long line of artists and grew up in Montreal, Canada. She worked for many years as a graphic designer and was ensconced in a life of technology and marketing. She now has her studio in the Laurentians, and is represented by galleries in Canada and the States. Claire teaches painting workshops in both Canada and in the US, and in November 2016, she was one of three winners of the ArtFinder Liquitex Muted competition. She has received grants to attend artist residencies at the Vermont Studio Center, and the Da Wang Culture Highland artist residency in southeastern China. She created her own self-directed artist residency in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she spent a month. Claire was has been asked to judge various art competitions, and has been interviewed by a number of art magazines, on radio, TV, print and online. www.clairedesjardins.com

DAVIN WEDEL

CEO AND FOUNDER OF ONE® CONDOMS

Davin Wedel founded Global Protection Corp. in 1987 in his dorm at Tufts University with a mission to make condoms as socially acceptable as toothpaste. He has invented a series of edgy products, including Condom Pops and glow-in-the-dark condoms. In 2004, the Global team launched ONE® Condoms and its signature Design Contests in order to start condom conversations through art, advocacy and cheeky condom wrapper designs. In addition to condom innovation and development, Davin has a passion for working with health educators and artists across the world to make safer sex outreach more colorful and fun.

DANENE LENSTRA

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF YOUTH, FAMILY AND MOBILE SERVICES AT THE ALEX COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE

Danene Lenstra is Associate Director of Youth, Family and Mobile Services at The Alex Community Health Centre, a Calgary non-profit which provides individuals with health and housing solutions. Danene has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Education degree and has worked with children, youth and families for the past 20 years. She has been with The Alex since 2008 and helped to create and grow the Youth Health Centre into one of Calgary's most inclusive resources for vulnerable youth. As well, she helped to launch The Alex Youth Health Bus, the unique primary care mobile service which provides health services to Calgary and area High Schools. Danene continues to play an integral role in the youth, family and mobile programs of The Alex.

APRIL JENSEN

PAINTER

April Jensen has painted all of her life, as far back as she can remember. She works mostly with acrylics, although April mixes a variety of other mediums in as well. Ink and gold leaf and charcoal are some favourites. April has participated in many art shows in Waterloo and kitchener and has held her own also. April has published in a local book and has done drawings for children's books. Right now April is working on a series of paintings depicting the abandoned, empty farms that she sees in her dreams. It is ever evolving, she hopes. April currently lives and works in Waterloo Ontario.

MARIE-CHANTAL MILETTE

FOUNDER OF KRYPTONIE

Marie-Chantal is the founder of Kryptonie where she acts as a Brand Creator & Color Consultant. Recently, she launched Kryptoons, a clothing line for the bold and the colorful. When she isn't working, she is trend hunting, drawing random cartoons and throwing parties for the LGBT community. Doing it all in heels.