The Staff At CDLI
Lee-Ann, CDLI Network Weaver Co-Lead
Lee-Ann (she/her) joined the CDLI team in April 2023. Lee-Ann has been involved in community development in Calgary for the past 8 years ranging from grassroots to formal non-profit. She places a special focus on relationship and collaborative work, believing that we each come to the table with unique and diverse identities that are valuable. She is a mum who finds life balance through reading, listening to music, being outdoors and creating. Get in touch with Lee-Ann.
Tyson, CDLI Capacity Building Co-Lead
Tyson (he/him) joined the CDLI Team in Fall 2020. Tyson has been working and volunteering in supporting neighbourhood life for as long as he can remember! His interest in community comes at the intersection of justice and community development, and his work is based on equity, wellness, and agency. His personal slogan is, Promote Justice, Edify Others and Befriend the Lonely. Book a time with Tyson!
Denyelle, guiding cdli’s creating just futures initiative
Denyelle (she/her) joined the CDLI team in fall 2023. As an equity-based designer, Denyelle brings a unique perspective to the table, focusing not only on driving systems change using innovative approaches, but also on designing for equity and social impact.
She has a deep understanding of the ways in which design can be used as a tool for creating positive social change and is committed to using her skills to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion into all aspects of her work. Outside of her work, Denyelle is a textbook introvert that values family time with her husband and 2 yr old. A true Torontonian at heart, still adjusting to "Yahoo" since her move to Calgary in 2021. And a lover of "mockumentary" style tv sitcoms. Connect with Denyelle
Ben, Manager of Strategy & Innovation, carya
Ben (he/him) joined the CDLI Team in August 2021. His interests are in place-based community development, creating connection and belonging, and breaking down isolation and loneliness. In his spare time he loves playing on and in the water, restoring old things, and adventuring with his family.
As a network CDLI is so much more than the small staff team. CDLI connects, inspires, acts through the contributions and dedication of network members, youth, students and volunteers. Many are mentioned on this page by name and many are not. We thank them all.
Practicum Student Social Work Supervisors
Since neither Tyson or Amanda have Social Work backgrounds, we rely on partnerships with people in our network to co-supervise CDLI’s practicum supervisors. A HUGE shout out goes to Meghan Costello for co-supervising Sukhman, Sarah Winstanley for co-supervising Carly, and Jessica Pauletig for co-supervising Aspen in 2022!
Former staff 2022 & 2023
Amanda, CDLI Network Weaver Co-lead
Amanda (she/her) joined the CDLI team in February of 2019 after five years of supporting community development efforts in inner-city communities in Calgary. She is passionate about building connected, inclusive, resilient communities through collaboration and by creating spaces for community voices to be heard and create impact. She loves to read, listen to podcasts, play board games, knit, cook, and dabbles in many creative endeavours.
Aspen, Spring 2022 Practicum Student
Aspen (she/her) was on the CDLI team April to July 2022. as a Diploma in SW practicum student. She is currently completing her Diploma in Social Work at Bow Valley College. Her eagerness to learn helped with finding and sharing resources with our community, and she put together the ABCs of Community to help others learn more about community development.
CARLY, SPRING 2022 PRACTICUM STUDENT
Carly (she/her) was on the CDLI team April to July 2022 as a BSW practicum student based in Strathmore. Her passion for education and connection to support inclusion, equity and collaboration to create safer communities for all contributed to much of our core efforts. Carly’s organization and communication skills made the 2022 Mini Summit possible, and we are grateful for her support in developing resource relating to mutual aid!
Chantelle, Community Development Communications Officer
Chantelle (she/her) was on the CDLI Team in June & July 2022 while residing on the traditional lands of the Three Fires Confederacy. Her passions of decolonization, arts and community, Indigenous language revitalization, and philosophy helped to inform the starting of our 2022 Storytelling Initiative!
Hannah, Community Development Animator
Hannah (she/her) joined the CDLI team in June 2022. Hannah has always been involved in her community, from knowing every person and animal in the community to volunteering at a young age with a focus on food insecurity in the community. She is looking forward to seeing, hearing and sharing all the great things happening in Calgary’s amazing communities!
Sukhman, Spring/Summer 2022 Practicum Student
Sukhman (she/her) was on the CDLI team February to August 2022 as an MSW practicum student. She drew on her years of volunteer experience with a variety of community organizations to help host Jane’s Walks, support our Winter Success in Community Action learners, and to explore the experiences of COVID-19 community grief in East Village.