Dr. Alina Turner is the CEO of HelpSeeker Technologies, working with governments and nonprofits across Canada to strengthen community safety and wellbeing. She specializes in tackling complex, cross-ministry and multi-organization challenges, aligning provincial, municipal, and community efforts to achieve the best outcomes for people.

Her focus is on equipping leaders and frontline staff to integrate data, technology, and AI into practice—driving the adoption of evidence-based approaches that improve access to services, reduce duplication, and maximize impact. Nationally recognized for her leadership in housing, social services, and public safety, Alina helps governments and nonprofits bridge silos and ensure investments translate into real, measurable improvements for individuals and families.

Dr. Shelley Cook is the Executive Director of Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria, a long-standing nonprofit/charitable organization serving Greater Victoria for 90 years. Dr. Cook has extensive experience as a senior administrator in the nonprofit sector in BC and a community-based health and social science researcher working to understand and address the social determinants of health for marginalized populations. She has a keen interest in working at the intersection of government, academia, and the community to promote system change, build capacity in the nonprofit sector, and create a safer and healthier community for all.  

Adam has been a criminal prosecutor for approximately 17 years and is the President of the British Columbia Crown Counsel Association (BCCCA) as well as the Vice-President of the Canadian Association of Crown Counsel (CACC).  As a director and member of the executive of these Associations he has focused on maintaining prosecution strength communities, mental health and wellness for prosecutors, responsible governance, access to justice, and prosecutorial independence.  He is a strong proponent of prosecution exchange programs.  In 2017, he spearheaded the first mental health survey of prosecutors in British Columbia and Canada.  His prosecution practice is varied.  He is currently assigned to Vancouver Youth Court and a largely Indigenous circuit court on British Columbia’s Central Coast.  When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his twin sons, partner, and their 5 year old Chocolate Lab, Bourbon.   

Dr. Ryan Herriot is a family physician and addiction medicine specialist based in Victoria, with additional training in the care of people living with HIV. He practices family medicine at Cool Aid Community Health Centre, is the medical director of AVI’s Victoria SAFER program, and sits on the board of the BC College of Family Physicians. In 2024 he co-founded the advocacy organization Doctors for Safer Drug Policy.  He formerly worked as a prison physician at Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Facility. 

He lives with his spouse and three kids, and he likes to cycle and to run a rousing game of Dungeons and Dragons in his “spare time.” 

Julie-Ann Hunter is the Executive Director of the Victoria Youth Empowerment Society (YES), where she leads programs and partnerships that support vulnerable youth on their path to stability, wellness, and independence. A registered social worker with over 15 years’ experience in youth services, Julie-Ann combines frontline expertise with an MBA specializing in social enterprise to develop sustainable, community-driven solutions that allow youth to thrive. With a deep commitment to equity and collaboration, she works to strengthen services addressing housing, mental health, and safe third places for youth. Julie-Ann is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to be heard, valued, and empowered to build brighter futures.

Award-winning author and journalist, Grant McKenzie has been leading communications at Our Place Society for the last 12 years. A storyteller at heart, Grant brings compassion and empathy to everything he does, whether that’s writing, graphic design, photography, video creation, or leadership. During his tenure, Grant has communicated Our Place's growth to serving over 500,000 meals per year, housing over 500 individuals, and opening the first-of-its-kind long-term therapeutic recovery communities on Vancouver Island.