Royal Roads University

Elected Officials Education Program

Founding Partner & Chief Operating Officer at DIPLOMAT Consulting

Acting as lead on political and strategic advising for Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, playing a key role in government relations, and leading the execution of the Mayor’s agenda.  Overseeing a staff of 11 in the Office of the Mayor, this position is directly responsible for the day to day schedule and communications management, as well as representing the Mayor and the Mayor’s views on policy and governance matters with key stakeholders and City Administration, negotiating on behalf of the Mayor on key issues, and coordinating with members of City Council.

City of Edmonton

Chief of Staff to Mayor Amarjeet Sohi

The Global Cannabis Partnership is a collaboration of leaders in the government-sanctioned cannabis industry. With representation from government, private-sector and affiliate organizations, the Partnership works to create international standards for the safe and responsible production, distribution and consumption of legal cannabis.

Global Cannabis Partnership

Partner & Senior Advisor

Diplomat was created to offer clients the ability to access public affairs and strategic planning support with a straightforward, values-based approach. It focuses on delivering clear outcomes, forming productive relationships, and creating authentic interactions. Although their clients come from all industries and sectors, they have specific expertise around business development, cannabis, municipal affairs, and technology. With offices and partners located across Canada, they are available to offer services that are tailored to meet your expectations whenever you may need them.

Diplomat's group of companies includes Diplomat Consulting Inc., Diplomat Security Inc., What Cannabis Can Be, Global Cannabis Partnership and Rogue52 Marketing & Design Inc.

Diplomat Consulting

Founding Partner & Chief Operating Officer

Fire & Flower

National Director, Government & Media Relations

The Smart Cities Challenge is a pan-Canadian competition open to communities of all sizes, including municipalities, regional governments and Indigenous communities (First Nations, Métis and Inuit). The Challenge encourages communities to adopt a smart cities approach to improve the lives of their residents through innovation, data and connected technology.

The Smart Cities Challenge Jury, selected through a transparent and merit-based process, is made up of diverse professionals who are accomplished and publically recognized in fields related to smart cities, including urban planning, architecture, and policy innovation.

The jury will review applications that have been submitted to the competition from communities across Canada. They will assess the applications and recommend up to twenty finalists to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities who will compete for funding prizing of $75 million dollars.

Government of Canada

Jury Member - Smart Cities Challenge - Infrastructure Canada

The Provincial Advisory Board's purpose is to advise the Fire & Flower Board of Directors on province-specific issues as they relate to the company’s business and strategy, government relations, and community based communications.

Provincial Advisory Board member

Alberta Urban Municipalities Association

Past President

Northlands is a non-profit, volunteer organization in Edmonton, Alberta. It was founded in 1879, before the official incorporation of the city of Edmonton, or the province of Alberta. Northlands attracts millions of visitors every year to events like K-Days and Farmfair International. For over 44 years, Northlands was the host and producer of the Canadian Finals Rodeo as well as several international events including the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth Conference in 2018. 

As the Vice-President of Corporate Development, I led the Event Development, Brand and Marketing, Agriculture, and Partnership departments.The Vice President, Corporate Development is a member of the Northlands Leadership Team (NLT) and is responsible for planning, directing & coordinating the business development strategy, marketing, and selling of the corporation’s events and services; promoting the profitable execution of Racing & Gaming and Agricultural capabilities; securing/negotiating contracts and assisting with acquisitional growth; and growing brand relevance. The primary purpose of the Vice President, Corporate Development’s position is to maximize revenue potential, maximize profitable operations, and ensure revenue growth sustainability.

Northlands

Vice President - Corporate Development & Agriculture

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is an advocacy group representing over 2000 Canadian municipalities. It is an organization with significant ability to influence debate and policy, as it is a main national lobby group of mayors, councillors and other elected municipal officials. It negotiates with the Government of Canada's departments and agencies on behalf of municipalities, and administers a number of funds.

I sat on the National Board of Directors representing the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association as well as several committees including: 

-        Prairies/Territorial Regional Caucus
-        Presidents and Executive Directors of Provincial/Territorial Meeting Associations
-        Committee of the Whole 
-        Standing Committee on Increasing Women's Participation in Municipal Government
-        Standing Committee on Environmental Issues and Sustainable Development
-        Standing Committee on Community Safety and Crime Prevention
-        Standing Committee on Conference Planning

Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Board Member

The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association was founded in 1905 and today represents Alberta’s urban municipalities, including cities, towns, villages, summer villages, and specialized municipalities, as well as Associate and Affiliate members. Originally elected in November 2013 to serve as the representative for 34 Towns on the AUMA Board of Directors, I was acclaimed as the 94th President of the Association in September of 2015 for a two-year term. 

During my years at AUMA, I served as President from September 2015 – October 2017; Chair – President’s Task Force on Status of Women from January 2016 – December 2016; Director – Towns East from September 2013 – September 2015; Member or Chair – Women in Municipal Government Committee from September 2012 – September 2015; Safe and Healthy Communities Committee from September 2013 – September 2015; Elected Officials Professional Development Committee from September 2013 – September 2015;  and on the Viability Review Panel for the Village of Willingdon, AB. 

While serving as President, I also had the following speaking engagements:
Presenter – Edmonton International Women’s Film Festival February 2017
Panelist – Opening the Potential, Women’s Mentorship Program 
Panelist – Let’s Talk Regional Food at Cultivating Connections 2017: Alberta Regional Food Systems Forum 
Panelist – Federation of Canadian Municipalities Annual Convention – Youth Panel
Panelist – Alberta Land Institute Conference
Keynote Speaker – Equal Voice Edmonton North Campaign School
Panelist – Intervivos “Girl Boss YEG” women in leadership event
Participant – 25% documentary on increasing women’s participation in government
Presenter – Alberta Parks and Recreation Association Conference
Witness – House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance in 2016
Speaker – Equal Voice Alberta North #YEGEquality Speaker Series 
Witness - House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (Bill 45 - Cannabis) in 2017

President

Alberta Municipal Services Corporation (AMSC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AUMA offering business services to municipalities, employees, public entities and community-related organizations. The current business lines include general insurance, risk management services, employee benefit & retirement services, utility services, investment services, and a purchasing program. As Chair, I led a high-performance board made up of a diverse group of industry experts and elected officials. As well, I served as Chair of AMSC Insurance Services Board and Chair of the Board of the insurance reciprocal MUNIX.

Alberta Municipal Services Corporation

Chairperson

Appointed by the Minister of Service Alberta to serve on the Advisory Board to the Utility Consumer Advocate for a term of 3 years (2014-2017). On this Board, I represent the interest of all Alberta urban municipalities and the residential, commercial and industrial consumers of electricity and natural gas that are located within them.

Government of Alberta

Advisory Board Member - Utility Consumer Advocate

Elected in November 2013 to serve as the representative for 34 Towns on the AUMA Board of Directors. As well as serving as a Director, I was appointed to represent AUMA on the following committees:
•	Safe and Healthy Communities Committee (2013-present)
•	Women in Municipal Government Committee (Chairperson) (Previously served on this committee in 2012 and 2013 as an appointed member) (2012-2015)
•	Elected Officials Professional Development Committee (2015-present)
•	Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties, Zone 3 Representative
•	Minister of Municipal Affairs Award of Excellence Selection Committee (2015)
•	Village of Willingdon Municipal Affairs Viability Review Team Member (2015)

Director: Towns East

Morinville is a community of approx. 10,000 residents 20 minutes north of Edmonton, Alberta. As the Chief Elected Official, my role was to act as Chairperson of Council, representing our community as the main spokesperson and in a ceremonial role. I advised Council on policy development and liaise with other levels of government. I also have represented Morinville on the following committees:
•	Capital Region Board (2013-present)
•	Capital Region Board Growth Plan Task Force (Vice-Chairperson) (2013-present)
•	Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission  (2012-present)
•	Emergency Management Committee (Chairperson) (2013-present)
•	Capital Region Board Land Use Committee (2010-2013)
•	Capital Region Board Regional Transit Committee (2010-2013)
•	Capital Region Board (Alternate) (2011-2013)
•	Morinville Finance & Audit Committee (Chairperson) (2011-2013)
•	Northern Lights Library System Board & Executive Committee (2010-2013)
•	Morinville Public Library Board (2010-2012)
•	Sturgeon Family Violence Prevention Program (2010-2013)
•	Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (2010-2012)

Town of Morinville

Mayor

The North Central Teachers Convention (a subgroup of the ATA) is an annual Professional Development Convention held in Edmonton for between 6,500 and 7,000 teachers from the Greater Edmonton and Northern Alberta area as well as all Francophone Teachers from around the Province. My position was the only contracted non-volunteer position for the organization, supporting an Executive Board of 8 Directors. I was responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of the organization and conference, handling all requirements for over 200 sessions, over 300 presenters, logistics, pre-registration and communications. I also coordinated and planned the Partners in Education Luncheon, held during Convention for School Board Trustees, Government Officials, Division Staff and ATA Local Teachers.

The Alberta Teachers' Association

Executive Assistant - North Central Teachers Convention Association

Elected to the position of Councillor in 2010, I served on the following committees representing Morinville: 
•	Capital Region Board Land Use Committee (2010-2013)
•	Capital Region Board Regional Transit Committee (2010-2013)
•	Capital Region Board (Alternate) (2011-2013)
•	Morinville Finance & Audit Committee (Chairperson) (2011-2013)
•	Northern Lights Library System Board & Executive Committee (2010-2013)
•	Morinville Public Library Board (2010-2012)
•	Sturgeon Family Violence Prevention Program (2010-2013)
•	Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (2010-2012)

Lisa Holmes