Meet Kourtney Penner
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I have roots and choose to live in Ward 11 with my family. I am a leader and have contributed to many community building initiatives. With a strong value in building relationships, I know projects are successful when we choose a mindset of working together, approaching challenges to find balanced positive outcomes, and by using data to support decision making.
As a mom with school aged children and with parents and grandparents in the city, I know neighbourhoods need to balance the needs of residents across the stages of their lives. As a leader in the technology sector, I know a thriving economy is vital to the city and creating a sustainable future is important to our global position. I have many plants to water, am a DIY whiz, work in my garden annually, and enjoy the abundance of nature in and around Calgary. I ride roller coasters, love my paddleboard, and have a fantastic hand thrown coffee mug collection. Links to media appearances and interviews can be found here. |
On Calgary...
With an abundance of pathways and greenspaces plus our proximity to the stunning rocky mountains, our well situated international airport as a hub for multiple sectors (leisure travel, business, livestock, sports & entertainment), the multicultural diversity which bolsters our food, arts, and festival experiences, and our young population, Calgary has the opportunity and choice to capitalize on these sectors if we take it.
Calgary also has challenges. We are one of the most income un-equal cities in Canada (the split between the highest and lowest incomes), have geographic divides by incomes and ethnicities, have gaps in amenities and infrastructure among communities, our major economic driver remains uncertain, and our downtown presents both financial and social barriers to our city's prosperity. Yet, I believe in our future.
As part of my work with all my organizations (volunteer/work) - this is the mindset I brought to the table and the questions I continually asked:
It is my intent to help us find commonality while letting our differences shine. Let's celebrate our strengths and build from what we love.
Calgary also has challenges. We are one of the most income un-equal cities in Canada (the split between the highest and lowest incomes), have geographic divides by incomes and ethnicities, have gaps in amenities and infrastructure among communities, our major economic driver remains uncertain, and our downtown presents both financial and social barriers to our city's prosperity. Yet, I believe in our future.
As part of my work with all my organizations (volunteer/work) - this is the mindset I brought to the table and the questions I continually asked:
- How can we positively affect (or least harm) the most amount of people?
- What opportunities exist for different stakeholders to come together to create the most desirable outcome which may involve compromise?
It is my intent to help us find commonality while letting our differences shine. Let's celebrate our strengths and build from what we love.
Volunteer & Committee Work
- Calgary Innovation Coalition Fellow (2020-present)
- Haysboro Community Association (2013-2020)
- City of Calgary Established Areas working groups (2019-2021)
- Guidebook for Great Communities working group (2017-2020)
- Calgary Women's Centre - Women Lead Facilitator & General Volunteer (2020)
- Federation of Calgary Communities board selection committee (2018)
Courses & Training
- Prepare Her (2020)
- Women Lead YYC (2019)
- Economics of Social Change (2019)
- Partners in Planning (2019)
#co11aborate