5-Minute Pitch

CHRISTI CRUZ
President & CEO,  BOLD Consultancy

Christi Cruz has held several community investment positions at TELUS, a global telecommunications and integrated data company. Recognized as a respectful disrupter, she is often asked to share her program development, social purpose, sponsorship and cause marketing experience at international conferences.

More about Christi…

JENNIFER BISHOP
Connect First Credit Union

Jennifer Bishop is a dynamic force in the partnerships landscape, bringing over a decade of experience across Canada’s private and public sectors. With a career spanning both property and brand management, Jennifer has honed her expertise in cultivating high-impact partnerships and driving strategic initiatives.

Currently, Jennifer excels in the Financial Services industry, where she leads partnership efforts for connectFirst Credit Union Enterprise Business Banking across Alberta. She is instrumental in orchestrating key programs such as Small Business Week in collaboration with Chambers of Commerce throughout the region. Her innovative spirit is evident in her development of Funding Futures, a pioneering initiative designed to support Alberta’s small businesses in accessing capital for groundbreaking projects. This initiative focuses on Agri-Tech, Energy Transition, and Social Impact, with $10,000 grants awarded to one business in each sector.

Jennifer’s leadership extends beyond her role at Enterprise Business Banking. She serves on the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada’s Calgary Chapter, fostering connections and advancing the partnerships community in Western Canada. Her previous roles underscore her expertise and strategic acumen; as Sponsorship Manager for the Toronto Region Board of Trade World Trade Center, she spearheaded high-profile collaborations with industry giants including Air Canada, WestJet, and Deloitte. Jennifer’s tenure with the City of Brampton showcased her versatility, where she led a team in managing diverse events and properties such as The Rose Theatre, Canada 55+ Games and Canada Day Celebrations.

An alumna of Lakehead University with an undergraduate degree in business, Jennifer remains at the forefront of industry trends through continuous education, including her recent coursework in Social Media and Content Creation from SAE UAE Creative Media Institute. Her commitment to professional development is paralleled by her dedication to community, having initiated a free virtual sponsorship forum since 2016 to connect and empower fundraising experts and municipal leaders nationwide.

Jennifer Bishop’s career is marked by her unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement, making her a leading figure in shaping the future of partnerships and business development.

JESSE MURPHY
Senior Advisor, Community Relations, Capital Power

Jesse Murphy has spent the last 14 years with Capital Power, managing community investment, sponsorships and corporate positioning activities. Prior to this, he spent time at TELUS executing corporate events, and at Skills Canada managing logistics and stakeholder relationships. He is a born and raised Edmontonian and a graduate of both the University of Alberta and MacEwan University. Jesse is passionate about partnerships and is always eager to find innovative ways to create shared value.

SCOT BENSON
Director, Loyalty & Partnership Marketing, Landmark Cinemas

Biography coming soon…

BRIAN GEISLINGER
Senior Vice-President of Corporate Relations and Community Engagement, Alberta Blue Cross

Brian Geislinger serves as Senior Vice-President of Corporate Relations and Community Engagement with Alberta Blue Cross. His role includes providing oversight to the Alberta Blue Cross Corporate Communications, Customer Services and Community Impact portfolios. Alberta Blue Cross invests upwards of $1 million annually into supporting the communities it serves in fulfillment of its social purpose and legislative mandate, through a combination of programs, partnerships and sponsorships.

ADAM WATT
Managing Director of Event Partnerships, Event Partnerships

Adam Watt is the owner and Managing Director of Event Partnerships, a sponsorship sales and consulting agency. A lifelong Albertan, Adam founded Event Partnerships in December 2019 after spending the previous ten years working in sponsorship sales full time for various event and facility organizations. He also holds an MBA ('12) from the University of Alberta.

Since its inception, Event Partnerships has represented the University of Alberta, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, Explore Edmonton, Canada Day London, FC Edmonton, and Fort Edmonton Park among other event and facility properties.

When not working to broker corporate partnerships, Adam spends his time running and biking in the Edmonton river valley, playing hockey, practicing yoga, and enjoying time with his wife and two young children.

DENISE BROADBENT
Corporate Partnerships Coordinator, City of Leduc

Denise builds and manages sponsorship & advertising programs as well as manages lease & service contracts for City of Leduc Recreation Services.  She is most passionate about developing mutually beneficial sponsorship agreements and activations where businesses and organizations achieve marketing, business, and social investment objectives while enhancing recreation experiences for Leduc’s citizens and visitors.

Denise has lived in the Leduc area since 1998 and has been developing event and naming rights sponsorships for over 20 years in both professional and volunteer capacity.

Leduc is a robust and active community built on a strong history of agriculture, oil/gas, recreation, arts & culture, volunteerism and tourism opportunities.  The City of Leduc is conveniently situated by the Edmonton International Airport just south of Edmonton, within the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.  A young and growing city, Leduc is home to over 37,300.

BEN OOSTENBRINK
Director of Community Engagement, Citadel Theatre

Ben is an experienced professional in community engagement and development currently serving as Director of Community Engagement at the Citadel Theatre. He holds a wealth of experience from across the non-profit sector, with expertise in philanthropic giving, corporate partnerships and government relations. He's passionate about making an impact in his local community, and serves on the boards of Action For Healthy Communities and The King's University.