Introductions

Hi everyone! My name is Jihan Rabah (she/her), and I’m based in Ottawa, Ontario. I work as a Research and Strategy Advisor at Public Safety Canada, where I support community‑based initiatives that build resilience, promote wellbeing, prevent violence and strengthen public safety outcomes. My academic background spans special education, public administration, psychology, and equity‑informed digital education, and my professional experience brings together international NGO work, academic research, and federal policy. Across all of these roles, my work consistently sits at the intersection of health, inclusion, and performance, with a strong emphasis on psychological safety, evidence‑informed decision‑making, and fostering workplace cultures where people feel supported to do their best work.

Hi folks! My name is Jessica (she/her) and I'm located in Amiskwacîwâskahikan (ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ), also known as Edmonton. I'm a playwright, dramaturg, and arts administrator at Fringe Theatre. We host the largest, longest running Fringe Theatre Festival in North America and rank in the top five worldwide. As Director of HR, I am lucky to serve 200+ arts workers, 1,000 Volunteers, and 1,600 artists as they navigate their own artistic careers. I've been fortunate to build a blend of corporate and non-profit experience and have served alongside the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, City of Edmonton Attractions, Theatre Network, and University of Alberta. I volunteer on the Edmonton Heritage Council as a grant adjudicator and have just wrapped up my term as a jury member for the Elizabeth Sterling Haynes theatre awards.