Meet The Team

KALEY (BIRD) BEISIEGEL (She/Her)

Principal Consultant

  • Anyone who knows Kaley knows she likes to get the job done. Never one to assume the old way of doing things is the best way of doing things, Kaley continually challenges herself and her team to approach every project with fresh eyes. Kaley specializes in looking for new and creative ways to maximize resources, efficiency and impact, no matter the project. A proud generalist, you can find her navigating the complexities of any project, bringing the right people together to get the job done to the highest standard. Recently, Kaley has been nominated for numerous awards recognizing her community work and leadership including the 2023 Calgary Awards (Community Achievement: Community Advocate) and the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards 2023.

    Her greatest joy is spending time with her husband, her new son Wilfred, and her dog Piper.

    Personal slogan: Let's see what we can do. Together.

SHARON LEE (She/Her)

Co-Principal Consultant

  • With more than 15 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public relations and social media, Sharon Lee is passionate about helping clients tell their stories that would resonate with their audiences. Having worked in both private and not-for-profit sectors, Sharon is experienced in developing communications strategies, key messages and public relations programs.

    When she is not working, you can find her taking long camping trips in the summer with her husband and dog, Bowie. She also loves swimming and working out as she finds activities like that help her clear her mind.

    Personal slogan: Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it. —Chinese proverb

JESSICA MARSH (She/Her)

Director of Strategic Events and Engagement, North

  • Jessica is an artist manager and consultant based out of Edmonton who has worked in the music industry in various roles for over a decade. With diplomas in Music and Arts & Cultural Management from MacEwan University, along with a completion of CMI's Artist Manager Program in Toronto, she recognizes the challenges that musicians and industry face in order to develop locally and export globally. She has worked for various music festivals as well as the Alberta Music Industry Association for five years, focusing on a number of initiatives (the PEAK Performance Project, Project WILD and career consultations with members). Since the launch of her company JAM Music Group in 2017, she has assisted over 100 acts to gain a broader understanding of marketing strategies around album releases, team building, career and tour planning.

ROSE BROW (She/Her)

Director of Strategic Events and Engagement, South

  • Rose Brow is an established event producer and project manager with over 25 years of expertise in live performing arts and special events. Based in Calgary and a graduate of Mount Royal, her diverse skill set encompasses strategic planning, budgeting, logistics, personnel management, artist management, stakeholder relations, and creative concept development. With a background spanning stage management, production, front-of-house services, ticketing, marketing, and executive leadership roles, Rose has excelled in managing small, large, and festival-scale projects. Her experience includes executive director, producer, controller, operations manager, and consultant working with a wide variety of organizations.

LAURA HUCULAK (She/Her)

Director, Marketing and Communications

  • After returning to Calgary to begin her career in Marketing and Communications, Laura developed an affinity for design and the creatives behind effective branding. She has a degree in marketing from Delaware State University and a certificate in graphic design from SAIT. Laura has an appreciation for art of any kind, and is an avid follower of trends in the design world. Combining this with her experience working in a corporate environment, Laura has developed a keen eye for blending beauty with clear strategic vision.

KATHARINE CRISTALL (She/Her)

Consultant

  • Katharine is the energetic Administrative Consultant for Bird Creatives who doesn’t mind wearing multiple hats. She is motivated to help organizations thrive, using strong analytical skills to improve underperforming areas while emphasizing client engagement. Taking a creative approach to projects has made her successful in marketing, management and administration.

    Katharine recently moved to Calgary with her husband and daughter, who enjoy taking day trips to the mountains, strolling around the Calgary Zoo and exploring their new neighbourhood.

    Personal Slogan: A positive mindset brings positive things.

ELYSE BORLÉ (She/Her)

Community Engagement Manager

  • Like any good steak, Elyse is Alberta born and bred. Unlike steak, though, she is a skilled administrator and avid community builder. With a "rare" sense of humour, she manages to make even the mundane enjoyable for herself and her colleagues. She brings a keen eye for detail, a passion for meaningful communication, and a love for people to every project. With degrees in psychology and social work, Elyse is especially passionate about fostering connection and promoting dialogue.

    Elyse loves spending time with her nine nieces and nephews and hopes they will keep her young for a few decades yet. In return, she spends her energy trying to build a friendlier world for them.

SYDNEY DUHAIME (She/Her)

Marketing and Communications Specialist

  • Sydney is a communications and marketing enthusiast with over a decade of experience in storytelling and events. As an enthusiastic learner, Sydney has a BA in Communications and a business minor in Management and Society from the University of Calgary, as well as a certificate in public relations from Mount Royal University and a certificate in graphic design from SAIT. From communications and events to graphic design and social media, her skills are diverse.

    Known for her outgoing nature and creative eye, Sydney excels in branding and promoting companies. She is passionate about community events and public markets, and her love for vintage and upcycled goods reflects her creative approach to polished branding and re-purposing content.

    Outside of the office, Sydney enjoys disc golf, walking her dogs, and attending community markets as a vendor or guest.

SAMANTHA MENDOZA (She/Her)

Strategic Events Specialist

  • Sam is an emerging Filipino graphic artist and event consultant at Bird Creatives. Growing up with unbridled imagination and curious nature, she recalls some of her fondest memories playing “Hidden Pictures Puzzles” in

    “Highlights”, a children’s magazine. “There was always something so captivating about looking at the big picture and having to find all the hidden objects within,” she says. Her career in graphic art, event planning and coordinating give her the opportunity to “piece” together like-minded people through community connection and collaborative exploration to bring their big picture to life. It is her purpose to offer her kind nature, work ethic, attention to detail, and artistic talent to those in the arts and culture community who are making an impact through creative intention and authenticity.

NICK BUSSIERE (He/Him)

Project Coordinator

  • Nick's enthusiasm for both business and music was sparked during his upbringing while actively involved in the family business "Little O's." Upon completing his diploma in Accounting and Strategic Measurement at MacEwan University, he took the leap to establish Halftime Management, a boutique artist management firm. Nick further honed his organizational prowess and expanded his knowledge of the arts and cultural sector through enrollment in MacEwan University's Arts and Cultural Management Program. Since graduating, Nick has been thrilled to contribute his expertise to the local arts and culture community.

MARC TRAN (He/Him)

Marketing and Strategic Initiatives Coordinator

  • Marc is a marketer with a passion for the community and the local arts scene. Through previous work with non-profit organizations, local businesses, and artists, his experience combines community research, public engagement, market research and more. Through his education and work experience, Marc has sought new ways to invigorate Alberta’s art scene. He loves connecting with new people from a variety of industries and endeavours to think of unique ways different communities can collaborate.

    Outside of work, Marc is a photographer, rock climber, and adventurer.

HAIDER ALI (He/Him)

Consultant

  • Haider brings an abundance of non-profit communications experience and enjoys ensuring that clients have a strategic approach behind their marketing efforts. A lover of all things digital marketing, he specializes in copywriting and design for various media. He's also no stranger to a camera; from photographing events or making a short film, he's done it all!

    In his spare time, you'll find him scheming up recipes in the kitchen or catching a local film screening.

CHERIE MCMASTER (She/Her)

Consultant

  • Cherie has had the great pleasure and privilege of working on a wide variety of projects that range from music festivals in the world of rock & roll to galas, large scale sporting events to opportunities for community connection and education in the arts. She loves the chance to build something creative from the ground up and see things from that initial concept and idea through to the celebration as it comes over the finish line.

    When she's not in the event world, you can find her in the studio working as a voice over artist or dreaming up her next big travel adventure.

TOYIN OLADELE (She/Her)

Consultant

  • Toyin Oladele is an experienced performing artist, curator and arts administrator with a demonstrated history of excellence in programming, community engagement and arts-based event planning and production. Her professional experience is firmly rooted in her ability to combine the arts with community spaces, which she strives to make very connective, inclusive and vibrant through collaborations and strategy. Toyin consults for cultural and arts organizations and is an advocate for equity and inclusion in the arts community.

    My favourite thing about living in Calgary has to be the people. In another life I was definitely an artist or maybe a business strategist. When I was 5, I thought I would be a doctor when I grew up. The most inspiring part of my job is connecting with diverse people and with diverse artistic expressions.

MICHELLE BONNEAU PERRELLA (She/Her)

Consultant

  • Michelle Bonneau Perrella is an Event Producer with a passion for creating memorable experiences for event guests. Before joining Bird Creatives, she spent 16 years at WestJet, most recently as Senior Events Coordinator and Program Manager on the in-house events team. Michelle has produced multiple high-impact events across WestJet’s network, from conception to execution. She was challenged to produce high caliber, creative events while strategically aligning with company values and culture. Michelle worked alongside her team and partners to win multiple national awards including “Best Event Produced for a Corporation by an in-house team” at the Canadian Event Industry Awards.

    2020 has drastically affected the event experience. Michelle along with her team have developed safe live/hybrid and online event models that follow all AHS guidelines. She has produced a number of successful events in recent months, ensuring safety of all guests while still providing an exceptional experience for all!

    When not dreaming about her next project or event, Michelle loves fitness, fashion, décor, live music, good food, good wine and having dance parties with her son Kingston.

AMELIE PATTERSON (She/Her)

Consultant

  • Amelie loves art of all kinds. Having made the sharp transition from an academic career in biology to full time musician and professional songwriter, she relishes every creative project that comes her way. The inaugural Poet Laureate of her home town of Banff Alberta, Amelie loves to write, and often performs her spoken word pieces alongside her music.

    "So much healing and cultural communication happens through art, it really is a foundation for how we relate as a species"

    Amelie's goal as an artist and a human is to be an engine for the arts, in whatever capacity that takes form. Amelie loves taking a project from daydreams through to reality.

PETER STONE (He/Him)

Consultant

  • Peter has worked in the creative arts industry for over 15 years as a performer, sound engineer, booker and promoter, studio owner, producer, and community fundraiser. As the lead singer of folk act 100 mile house he has released 5 studio albums, performed at festivals across the globe and gained awards and nominations across Canada.

    Originally from London, England, Peter’s passion is working with people, he believes in the transformative power of community and storytelling and loves working on projects that bring us all together. Peter has a BSc in Music Technology and is currently completing his Master of Social Work at the University of Calgary.

CARLEY PIATT (She/Her)

Consultant

  • Trained as a developmental and experimental psychologist, Carley loves to wonder “why?” and “how?” After asking these questions professionally for two decades, Carley can say with certainty she loves collaborative work that leads to meaningful impact and change. She is adept at moving from micro details to the macro overview (one might say a Bird's eye view), ensuring projects align across multiple levels. Carley also loves to learn. She has a PhD in Psychology from the University of Alberta, a MSc in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Victoria, and a BA in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Colorado. For Carley, her approach to work means being curious, creative, and playful.

    When not working, those same values allow Carley to enjoy spending time outside with her family, doing Wordle, going to garage sales, and adding to her collection of art supplies.

HUBBA KHATOON (She/Her)

Consultant

  • Hubba is a dynamic economist and leader at the forefront of driving transformative change in the Canadian innovation landscape. Hubba brings extensive experience in fostering collaborations, advising, and investing in innovation ecosystems.

    With a background in economic development, including roles at Calgary Economic Development and Prairies Economic Development Canada, Hubba has demonstrated a proven ability to spur innovation and economic growth. She guided work on Calgary's 10-Year Economic Strategy, influenced provincial policy changes for Film and TV, advocated for municipal legislation allowing the testing of autonomous systems within Calgary limits, and supported the $660 million Multi-City Infrastructure Development for Calgary – Banff rail. Additionally, she co-led the award-winning New Economy LIVE Event Series alongside a dedicated team.

    Hubba plays a pivotal role in reshaping various industry landscapes in Prairies Canada, fostering collaborations among startups, SMEs, industry leaders, research institutions, and government organizations. She continues to advance various sectors' growth and global competitiveness, cementing her reputation as a trailblazer in Canadian innovation.

CORY MACK (She/Her)

Consultant

  • Throughout her career, Cory has mastered the art of building meaningful connections with community stakeholders, turning challenges into creative opportunities in fast-paced environments, and putting her heart and soul into making a lasting impact at every turn.

    Armed with a BFA in Drama from the University of Calgary and a whopping thirty-five years of making people laugh as a professional stand-up comedian, Cory brings a unique blend of artistic flair and seasoned experience to the table. Her journey has been a rollercoaster of adventures – from founding and producing the YYComedy Festival to managing the operations of a 2400-seat concert/convention venue, directing a corporate entertainment agency, and strategically steering events, fund development, and community engagement for various nonprofits in Calgary.

    Cory doesn't just bring expertise in logistics and artist management; she brings passion, laughter, and a commitment to meeting your vision and mission while making your event shine.