Confluence YYC: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility

Jay Brewster (he/him) is a Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) at Rogers, with over 7 years dedicated to advancing DEIB in workplaces. As a cisgender queer man with an invisible disability, Jay is passionate about bridging gaps between people, ideas, and opportunities, especially for those who are often underestimated or marginalized.

Jay leverages his skills and creativity to foster a vibrant and inclusive business community in Alberta. He champions equity and supports gender and sexually diverse individuals in commerce and the workplace. In addition to his role as a Director on the Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce board, Jay serves on the Board of Directors for the Get Real Movement, where he actively supports combating 2SLGBTQI+ discrimination, racism, and bullying.

Having faced personal challenges with self-acceptance, Jay is dedicated to creating safe spaces for individuals to embrace their authentic selves. Outside of his volunteer work, Jay enjoys spending time with his husband, Ken, and their dog, Stella. He is passionate about the arts, traveling, and savoring a good cup of coffee.

Holly Singer is the heart and soul behind Milk Jar, a candle company that does more than just smell good—it does good. As founder and CEO, Holly built Milk Jar on the belief that workspaces should be as inclusive as they are inviting. Her team includes people of all abilities, and for every product sold, $1 goes toward organizations that empower people with disabilities and foster welcoming environments.

Since lighting its first wick eight and a half years ago, Milk Jar has ignited more than cozy vibes—it’s raised over $400,000 for inclusive initiatives across Alberta, Ontario, the U.S., and the U.K., giving back to the very communities that support the brand.

For Holly, the purpose behind the product is what matters most. Her team is the pulse of Milk Jar, and their joy and dedication shape the uplifting culture she’s proud to share with you today.

Now, Holly is setting her sights on something even bigger: sparking a city-wide movement in Calgary for inclusive hiring. She’s connecting businesses with service providers and job seekers to make inclusive workplaces not just a goal—but a standard.

And in a bold step toward better work-life balance, Holly is currently trialing a 36 hour work week with management at Milk Jar, to introduce a 32-hour work week in 2026 for all full-time employees—with no cut in pay. Her philosophy is simple: when people have time to rest, play, and dream outside of work, everyone wins. It’s a model of wellness and humanity she hopes more companies will embrace

Eden Wilson is a fifth year Team Canada Athlete in the sport of bobsleigh. She is a 5x gold medalist on the North American circuit and has her eyes set on the 2026 Olympics. Eden is Canada’s first female Indigenous bobsleigh athlete and the first indigenous athlete to represent Canada in a bobsleigh World Cup, because of this Eden is no stranger to overcoming adversity. She hopes to be able to blaze a trail for more diversity and inclusivity in winter sports.

Brian Lanier is a seasoned corporate trainer, executive coach, and program leader with over two decades of experience in leadership development and diversity & inclusion consultancy. As the Founder & CEO of The Leaders Circle, Brian has spearheaded transformative initiatives, working with CEOs and business leaders across a spectrum of industries in Canada and the US. With a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s University and 11 house-moves as a U.S. Army-brat, Brian brings a rich tapestry of knowledge and expertise to his role. Prior to founding The Leaders Circle, Brian held senior executive positions at prominent companies such as Starbucks Coffee Company and KFC – Canada.

His diverse client experience ranges from serving 9-years as Executive Coach to a multi-billion-dollar communications company’s CEO, to 3-years providing customer-service training to the NHL’s Calgary Flames and CFL’s Calgary Stampeders, and over the last 8-years, his firm has provided leadership and DEI training to both the Earl’s and JOEY Restaurant Groups, additionally, Brian’s firm is the DEIB lead-facilitator for an international training-company based in San Francisco.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Brian is deeply committed to community engagement. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, as co-chair of their Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility committee. He also lends his expertise as a board member of Heritage Park Historical Village and has previously chaired the Calgary Black Chambers, a non-profit organization that has raised over $200,000 for Black youth scholarships. Brian resides in Calgary, Canada, with his spouse, Yvonne, and their dog Fletcher, in their forever home where his extended family regularly gathers to remind Brian that he’s not nearly as funny as he thinks he is.