Sports, Culture & Major Events Committee

Dr. David Legg received his Bachelor’s in Physical Education from McMaster University, his Masters in Sport Management from University of Windsor and his PhD in Sport Management and Adapted Physical Activity from the University of Alberta. He is an Academic Professor at Mount Royal University. David co-founded the ActiveCITY Collective, which brings together community advocates for the active economy in Calgary and created the research/strategy behind those initiatives. Dr. Legg also founded Calgary Adaptive Hub, now sponsored by Jumpstart. Dr. Legg has been the recipient of a Calgary’s Top 40 under 40 award, a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Award and has been inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.

Chethan Lakshman is Principal and Co-Founder at Rishi Nolan Strategies, a consultancy providing strategic advice to C-suite executives, boards, and governments. With more than 30 years in communications and reputation management, he has advised leaders in regulated industries, VC-backed companies, and private firms, including RBC, Manulife Financial, and Shaw Communications. Chethan helped lead execution of RBC’s sponsorships of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and the RBC Canadian Open and led strategy and execution of Shaw’s sponsorships, including six Grey Cups, the Rogers (formerly Shaw) Charity Classic, and three Canada Games. Chethan serves on a variety of national not for profit boards and civic committees.

Alex Sarian is a bestselling author and the President & CEO of Werklund Centre, where he leads one of Canada’s most ambitious cultural infrastructure projects and one of the largest institutional transformations in the country. Since 2020, he has helped secure more than $500 million in public and private investment, including the largest philanthropic gift to the Canadian performing arts sector. Prior to returning to Canada, he spent two decades in New York City, including senior leadership roles at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, where his work spanned arts education, civic engagement, and international consulting projects across five continents. A board director and advisor, Alex is passionate about how institutions earn public trust, strengthen communities, and contribute to the long-term vitality of cities.

Elise Ahenkorah is an HR and Employee Relations Advisor and the Lead Strategist of Inclusion Factor. With more than 15 years of experience, Elise has worked with over 200 organizations across corporate, public, academic, and nonprofit sectors to strengthen respectful workplace practices, navigate complex people issues, and support workplace investigations.

She brings formal training in HR management from Cornell University, labour law and workplace investigations from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, and an MBA from the University of Fredericton.

Elise’s leadership and contributions have been recognized nationally and locally, including by her hometown through the 2025 Town of Oakville Community Spirit Award. She has also been named one of the Women’s Executive Network Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada, a L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth recipient, an Avenue Calgary Top 40 Under 40 honouree, a Calgary Chamber Small Business Award recipient, and a Heritage Park Women Making History in Alberta honouree.

She is a sought-after speaker on workplace culture, employee relations, respectful workplaces, and workplace investigations. Through her work, Elise helps organizations create workplaces where people can perform at their best.

In her spare time, Elise volunteers as a mentor with the Women’s Executive Network and Chartered Professionals in Human Resources to support the next generation of leaders.

Naomi Grattan leads government relations for Mount Royal University as Director Community & Strategic Initiatives, following 25 years working in museums. Most recently she was Executive Director of Lougheed House National and Provincial Historic Site. She has a BA in Rhetoric & Writing from the University of Waterloo and a MA in Leadership from Royal Roads University. Ms. Grattan has worked on 5 major cultural capital projects and has contributed to the strategic direction of the National Music Centre, the SAM Centre at the Calgary Stampede, Hangar Flight Museum, Theatre Calgary, Alberta Ballet, Fort Calgary (now The Confluence), Contemporary Calgary, and others. She also currently serves as a volunteer Board Director for the Alberta Museums Association, and on a Board committee for Heritage Park.

Steve McDonough is the Past President and Chairman of the Calgary Stampede Board (2021-2023). Steve is a professional Mediator and CEO of McDonough Dispute Resolution Services, has worked as a master franchisor for American food product entry into Canada and for the Federal Government in the offices of President of Privy Council, Government House Leader and as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Rt Honourable Joe Clark, Federal Minister of the Environment. Mr. McDonough was the recipient of Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. Steven McDonough holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors from Haskayne Business School, a LL. B (Hon) from the University of Wales and a BA in Political Science and Business (Hon) from Acadia University.

Jeff is the CEO of MNP Community & Sport Centre in Calgary AB. Jeff was born in Toronto and raised in Winnipeg. He has been active his entire life and, through this lifelong involvement in sport Jeff was encouraged to pursue degrees in physical activity & sports studies from the University of Winnipeg, a recreation studies degree from the University of Manitoba and a Haskayne MBA from the University of Calgary.  Jeff’s 25-year track record of leadership and management excellence was recognized in 2009 with his selection to Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40, in 2014 with a Leaders of Tomorrow distinction and again in 2022 with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. Jeff is an active volunteer and in his spare time he enjoys cycling, hiking, hanging out in the gym and spending time with his family.

Kjelti is Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Getty Images, where she is responsible for overseeing Getty Images’ worldwide legal affairs, including planning and implementing the Company's intellectual property strategy (with a focus on IP rights in AI), commercial and strategic partnerships (including with such leading brands as IOC, FIFA, NBA, Formula 1, BBC and NBS News), government relations and transactional work. Kjelti has served on the board of directors of a wide variety of community organizations in Calgary.

Sara Leishman is the Executive Director of the Folk Festival Society of Calgary. Best known for its 45-year-old, marquee event, the Calgary Folk Music Festival, the organization produces the winter festival Block Heater and owns and operates the bespoke performance venue, Festival Hall. Sara has worked in Calgary's arts and culture sector since 2008. Currently, she is in her final term on the Board of Kansas City based music organization, Folk Alliance International. She has previously served on the Board of Directors of CKUA radio and was the Vice-chair of the Calgary Host Committee for the 2019 Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMAs). She served as a mentor with the Creative Spaces Mentoring Network and was a Board Member of the Learning City Collective, a group of organizations and individuals engaged in Calgary’s learning system.

Leading initiatives that inspire Indigenous youth and foster women's empowerment in sports has been the cornerstone of her professional sport journey. Destiny's approach always centers on creating platforms where cultural heritage and passion for sports intersect, allowing for a holistic celebration of Indigenous spirit and resilience. Her tenure as the General Manager at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on Tsuut'ina Nation has been characterized by a commitment to strategic planning and community engagement, mirroring the core values of CSME.  Destiny has produced large-scale events, and embodying the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Carlo is a seasoned executive with a strong passion for sports and an extensive background in amateur sports. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Calgary Minor Soccer Association, he has dedicated over 15+ years of his career to advancing the sport and supporting young athletes. One of Carlo's primary motivations is to develop community partnerships and establish commercial connections to benefit of the community. He understands the importance of collaboration and leveraging resources to enhance the growth and development of sport within the Calgary community. Carlo firmly believes that sports provide an excellent platform for teaching important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, resilience, and leadership. By creating a supportive and nurturing environment, sport can empower young athletes to become well-rounded individuals who can excel not only in sports but also in their personal and professional lives.

Tiffany Richards is a seasoned hospitality executive with extensive experience in strategic leadership, operations, sales, and marketing. As General Manager for the Delta Calgary Downtown, she leads business planning, financial performance, and talent development initiatives that drive organizational success. Her career spans senior roles in operations and sales at Marriott International, where she implemented change management strategies and fostered high-performing teams. Tiffany holds an MBA in International Business from Regis University and executive leadership certifications from Cornell University. She contributes to industry advancement through board service as Chair of the Calgary Hotel Association.

Zoe Addington is the Chief of Staff to Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas. She has over 25 years of experience working with government, including as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Premier of Alberta and in Ottawa as the Director of Policy to Minister of Industry Canada, and Indigenous and Northern Affairs. Zoe spent six years with the Alberta public service as an Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) in the dept of Energy and as ADM and then the Deputy, of the Policy Coordination Office in Executive Council.  Between roles in government, Zoe worked on policy and regulatory issues at Canadian Natural Resources, Cenovus Energy, and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Zoe has an MBA and undergraduate degrees in History and Political Science, from the University of Calgary.  Zoe has served on boards and chaired committees at the Calgary Food Bank, Calgary Parks Foundation, Center for Sexuality, Children's Cottage Society, and Alberta Snowboard Association.