Our Experts. Our Allies. Our Voice.

A recognized leader in suicide prevention, Shelly has spent over a decade as a Master Trainer in both ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and SafeTALK, delivering critical education through the Centre for Suicide Prevention. She is deeply committed to equipping professionals and communities with life-saving tools for suicide awareness and intervention.

Shelly’s insights on mental health, burnout, and resilience have been featured in Forbes, TEACH Magazine, Health Today, and the Canadian Journal of Social Work. Through her work at Shelly Qualtieri & Associates, she leads a dynamic team of 10 therapists and coaches who provide therapy for individuals, couples, and families, along with tailored workshops and group facilitation. Her team is known for delivering trauma-informed care, practical coping strategies, and resilience-building supports.

Shelly is a passionate advocate for breaking stigma, strengthening mental wellness, and helping first responders and frontline professionals thrive—both personally and professionally.

Join us as we learn from Shelly’s wealth of experience and commitment to mental health and suicide prevention in the frontline community.

As a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer, Kwesi has had over a decade of experience in helping others overcome adversity and manage stress and social & emotional issues. His story, known nationally and covered in a documentary movie by the CBC, included years of public scrutiny and struggle.  You’ll ultimately see his layers of grit, tenacity and remarkable perseverance.

In police training, its taught that when police officers have to intervene, tragedy can result.  However, just like a death in the family, you are never prepared when it happens to you.  The evening of October 14, 2007 was an evening at the Vancouver Airport that positioned Kwesi and 3 fellow officers respond to a call about a man who had violently destroyed airport property.  The conversation progressed to struggle and arrest and ended when the man Robert Dziekanski died of heart failure.

That night was only the beginning.  Over the next decade, Kwesi faced speculation, accusation and incarceration.  Through battling many issues, he has learned significant lessons about anger, forgiveness and self-awareness.  Kwesi will talk share poignant stories from harrowing difficulties to how he learned insights to both enlighten and lighten the burden of anyone struggling with adversity and self doubt.  How to overcome anxiety, hopelessness and depression through hope.

He is now a mental Health and resilience speaker, as well as a certified wellness coach helping students, frontline workers, and high-stress organizations to overcome adversity, cope with and conquer stress, and build confidence, ultimately improved mental health.

Dave has spent more than four decades working to prevent high-risk behaviours, with a particular focus on suicide prevention, intervention and postvention, child protection, and mental health. With extensive experience as a therapist, trainer, and speaker, Dave has worked closely with the Centre for Suicide Prevention in Calgary for over 30 years, helping to advance suicide intervention efforts across Canada and beyond.

Throughout his career, Dave has supported a wide range of individuals and communities, including first responders, medical professionals, social service agencies, educators, and cultural groups. His work is grounded in both developmental psychology and forensic psychology, with a strong emphasis on risk assessment and intervention for vulnerable populations.

In the area of child protection, Dave’s expertise has led to a particular focus on parenting capacity assessments, evaluating mental health, cognitive functioning, addiction, violence, and environmental stability to help ensure the safety and well-being of children.

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Dr. Kelly Dean Schwartz is an Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training, School and Applied Child Psychology, at the University of Calgary. He has a Ph.D. in Social Psychology and an MSc in Educational Psychology from the University of Calgary. A registered psychologist since 1993, he has previously served as a school psychologist, program head, and clinical director. Dr. Schwartz continues to engage in private practice (PsyConsult Inc.) and provides direct service and consultation with school divisions, provincial ministries, and agencies across Canada.

Dr. Schwartz is a Researcher with the Canadian Institute of Military and Veteran Health Research and the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, and he was previously the Principal Investigator on a CIHR PSP Team Grant (2020-2024) building and testing evidence-informed programs for families of first responders.

Legacy Place Society is thrilled to have Dr Schwartz share on the strengths and challenges of living in a first responder or military family

Robyn is a mom to 3, and the spouse of a medically released Canadian Armed Forces Veteran of 15 years with tours to Bosnia and Afghanistan.

She has been active in supporting military families across Canada since 2006 and came to the role of Family Peer Support Coordinator with OSISS (Operational Stress Injury Social Support) in Edmonton in 2015. Drawing from lived trauma experience, she has connected with hundreds of families, military members and first responders. Realizing how prevalent burnout is in the community, she sought out education in non-clinical facilitation of nervous system awareness and grief support techniques.

She is passionate about raising awareness for mental health and supporting people where they are in their journeys. She has been awarded a Commander’s commendation for exemplary service while working as a Civilian with the Canadian Armed Forces.

Cpl. Nader KHALIL has been a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police since January 2008. He began his RCMP career as a general duty police officer in Bonnyville, Alberta. In 2011, he was transferred to Edmonton, Alberta, where he worked in the Federal Drug Section. In 2014, he moved to the Calgary Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET).

Cpl. KHALIL was promoted to Corporal in 2017 and served in the Calgary Integrated National Security Public Engagement unit. He is currently back with the investigative team in INSET.

In 2024 Cpl. KHALIL was formally acknowledged for his commitment and leadership within Law Enforcement, where he provided support to members facing mental health challenges, exposure to traumatic events, discrimination, and racism. Cpl. KHALIL was seen as a champion within the peer-to-peer program and EDI, ultimately receiving the EDI Leadership Award from the Command officer and the Alberta Community Justice Leadership Award, presented by the Public Minister and Justice Minister of Alberta.

Dr. Joan Hillson is a Registered Psychologist with a thriving private practice based in Airdrie, Alberta. For over 22 years, she has been dedicated to providing compassionate and effective therapy and psychological assessments for adults—both individuals and couples.

Her expertise is recognized across a range of specialized communities, including Veterans Affairs Canada, the RCMP, Calgary Police Service, and the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service. She is also a trusted clinician for first responders such as firefighters, paramedics, emergency dispatchers, and correctional officers.

Dr. Hillson’s clinical practice focuses on the treatment of stress, anger, depression, anxiety disorders (including PTSD), and trauma—whether rooted in the recent or distant past. She also provides couples therapy for those navigating complex life transitions or relationship challenges.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Hillson is a sought-after public speaker. She has delivered customized wellness and leadership presentations to organizations such as the RCMP Emergency Response Team and Border Integrity Unit, Tsuut’ina Nation Police and Fire Services, Alberta Health Services Community Paramedics, the City of Calgary, and even the Canadian Women’s National Hockey Team.