Sports, Culture & Major Events Committee

The Sport, Culture & Major Events team at Tourism Calgary has a mandate to attract major sport, recreation and cultural events to the city to achieve both economic and social benefits through sport, culture and tourism.

Events enrich Calgary, adding vibrancy to the city and contributing to the quality of life for Calgarians through legacies and participation.

The Sport, Culture & Major Events team reports to the Calgary Sport & Major Events (CSME) Committee which provides strategic direction and advice. The committee is comprised of fourteen members, recruited and vetted by Tourism Calgary and appointed by Calgary City Council. Members serve two-year terms, up to a total of three terms, and are recognized leaders in our community, bringing a diverse range of expertise and skill to the committee.

The strategy is to position Calgary as the Ultimate Host City, with a year-round calendar of signature events engaging our community and showcasing our active lifestyle and natural beauty. To achieve this, the CSME Committee offers direction and advice to Tourism Calgary through a detailed, research-based and stakeholder endorsed event strategy. This strategy encompasses several key areas of focus:

• Strengthening our reputation as Canada’s winter sports capital by championing events during the winter months;

• Supporting Calgary’s economic goals;

• Attracting an increased number of large-impact, signature events; and,

Advocating for the development and use of event-hosting infrastructure.

Duncan Melville - Committee Chair

Duncan Melville is a returning member and is the incoming Chair of CSME. Mr. Melville is currently a Partner at Boston Consulting Group. He has a JD in Law from the University of Toronto, is a Chartered Financial Analyst and has a Masters (Hons) in Mathematics and International Relations from the University of St. Andrews. Much of his current practice focuses on improvement of performance internally and externally for international resource companies. He is a member of the New York State Bar and is past Chair of the Calgary Distress Centre during which time they created a new strategic plan and recruited a new CEO. He currently sits on the Board of the YMCA Calgary and is the Chair of the People and Governance Committee.

David Legg- Vice Chair

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

Chethan Lakshman is Principal at Rishi Nolan Strategies, a consultancy providing strategic advice to C-suite executives, boards, and governments. With 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 led RBC’s sponsorships of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Shaw’s sponsorships, including six Grey Cups, the Rogers (formerly Shaw) Charity Classic, and three Canada Games. Chethan serves on a variety of not for profit boards and civic committees.

Alex Sarian

Prior to joining Arts Commons as President & CEO, Alex Sarian spent seven years as a senior executive at the Lincoln Centre for Performing Arts in New York. Alex has a BS and MA in Educational Theatre and Performing Arts Administration from New York University. Alex brings experience in consumer brand activation, corporate sponsorship, as well as experience collaborating on bids and proposals for major events held at Arts Commons. He has furthered his education with an Impact Program for Arts Leaders at Standford University Graduate School of Business, the Community Shift Program at Western University Ivey School of Business, Non-profit Leadership Institute with the American Express Foundation and Conflict Resolution at the Instituto Para El Desarrollo Empresario Argentino.

Elise Ahenkorah

Elise Ahenkorah received her BA Hons from Laurentian University in Law and Justice and a DE&I Strategy Management from Cornell University. She is currently the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager for MEG Energy Corporation and is the principal owner of Inclusion FACTOR Consulting. In 2023, Ms. Ahenkorah was the recipient of the City of Calgary Social Impact Award and she has won several additional awards, including L'Oreal Paris Woman of Worth, UNAC Innovator of the Year, and the Calgary Black Chamber Business & Entrepreneurship Excellence Award. Through Elise's leadership, the Calgary Pride Festival/Parade is now the second largest in Canada. Ms. Ahenkorah is passionate about ensuring that the events and sports brought to the city represent the diverse communities in Calgary.

Naomi Grattan

Naomi Grattan is the Executive Director of Lougheed House National and Provincial Historic Site and serves as a volunteer Board Director for the Alberta Museums Association. She has a BA in 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 building the strategic direction of the National Music Centre, the SAM Centre at the Calgary Stampede, Hangar Flight Museum, Theatre Calgary, Alberta Ballet, Fort Calgary, Contemporary Calgary, and others. She also has a particular interest in the work of Truth & Reconciliation and has done significant training with Indigenous communities at Fort Calgary and the Lougheed House.

Steve McDonough

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 Booke

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.

Karim Ismail

Karim Ismail has been a proud Calgarian for 25 years and is currently the Area Director of Operations with First Canadian Management Corporation, following his time as General Manager of the Best Western Premier, Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre. His roles in serving the Calgary community provide him with purpose and satisfaction. He joined the Rotary Club of Calgary East and is actively involved with the Rotary Foundation.
As Convener of the World Partnership Walk, an initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada, he is part of attracting thousands nationally to fundraise with a focus of eliminating poverty in developing countries.

Kjelti Kellough

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.

Lorenzo DeCicco

Lorenzo is the Chief Operating Officer of Calgary Sports & Entertainment Corporation (CSEC), the multi-team sports and entertainment company that owns and manages some of Calgary’s favourite profession sports teams: the Calgary Flames (NHL), Calgary Wranglers (AHL), Calgary Stampeders (CFL), Calgary Hitmen (WHL), and the Calgary Roughnecks (NLL). The organization also pursues business in the robust concert and entertainment industry. With over 25 years of leadership and strategic business consultancy, Lorenzo is best known for successfully leading and building highly engaged and motivated teams that deliver exceptional results and transform businesses. Lorenzo has an unwavering commitment to supporting local community initiatives and grass roots organizations that make the city so vibrant.

Sara Leishman

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.

Destiny Whitney

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.

Kay Choi

Kay Choi is the Director of Partnerships at The City of Calgary, where she champions collaborations across a diverse range of portfolios including affordable housing, arts & culture, community partners, major partners and leads The City of Calgary’s shared commitment to community safety and wellbeing. Her efforts drive meaningful connections to help build a world class city. With over 25 years of experience, Kay has held progressively responsible roles in community services and protective services at The City of Calgary. She has a proven track record in strategy, business development, leading transformational change and focusing teams on key goals and objectives that add significant value to organizations.

Amie Blanchette

Amie Blanchette currently serves as Chief of Staff to Mayor Jyoti Gondek. Amie’s career has spanned several sectors, including private and public. Amie was a regional manager with Pier 1 Imports, overseeing 15 big box stores throughout Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. She left Pier 1 to focus on communications and advocacy work with the Canadian Home Builders Association – Calgary Region where she was the Director of Policy and Government Relations. After almost 10 years with the organization, Amie joined the City of Calgary administration as the Manager of Partnership Services within Planning & Development and most recently was the Manager of Strategy & Business Operations within Real Estate & Development prior to moving into The Mayor’s office.

Carson Ackroyd

Carson is the Sr. Vice President of Sales at Tourism Calgary where he leads a team responsible for attracting sport & major cultural events to the city as well as meetings & conventions. Carson sat on the 2009 and the 2019 Grey Cup Committees. He started his career within media working for both the Edmonton Sun and the Calgary Sun in advertising, marketing, promotions and circulation sales, during which time he launched the Air Miles customer loyalty program with both papers. Carson then became the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for ATCO for more than a decade with 100+ person team responsible for all aspects of marketing and communications for this multi-national conglomerate in the energy, utility and structures and logistics business. Carson studied at the University of Calgary.

Reid Bilben

Reid is the Executive Director of Sport, Culture & Major Events where he leads the promotion and sale of Calgary as a host city to major event rights holders. He has worked primarily in the Canadian amateur sport system since graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Saskatchewan. Reid’s career started managing sport programs with a provincial sport organization before moving into a role as Associate Athletic Director with Dinos Athletics at the University of Calgary; where he was responsible for event management, fund development, marketing & communications and human resources portfolios for one of the countries most successful athletic departments.