Celebrating changemakers: Inaugural Healthy Aging Impact Awards shine at the 2025 Summit

WHAT

Media are invited to help capture and celebrate the inaugural Healthy Aging Impact Awards at the 2025 Healthy Aging Alberta Summit, The Tapestry of Aging: Threads of Connection & Well-being. These awards will recognize the people and organizations who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults across our province. Fifteen successful nominees will be awarded across seven categories.

Media are also welcome to attend the evening’s fireside chat, The Next Chapter in Healthy Aging: Collaboration Across Sectors featuring Honourable Jason Nixon, Minister, Assisted Living and Social Services, and Dr. Sayeh Zielke, Executive Chair, Assisted Living Alberta. This conversation will highlight opportunities to strengthen collaboration between community and health, discuss emerging directions in policy and practice, and consider what’s possible when sectors align to create a more connected, resilient, and age-friendly province.

WHEN
Tue, Oct. 7, 2025
Fireside chat: 6:45 – 7:30 p.m.
Awards ceremony: 7:40 – 9:00 p.m.

WHERE
Delta Hotels Edmonton South Conference Centre, Grand Ballroom
4404 Gateway Blvd NW, Edmonton, AB

WHO

The following people will be participating in the fireside chat:

• Honourable Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services
• Dr. Sayeh Zielke, Executive Chair, Assisted Living Alberta
• Andy Ridge, Assistant Deputy Minister, Assisted Living and Social Services (facilitator)
• Karen McDonald, Provincial Director, Healthy Aging Alberta

The following award recipients will be available for interviews:

• •Chris and Sjanne Heikoop (Lethbridge)
• Council of Muslims on Aging Gracefully (Edmonton)
• Maria Bitar (Edmonton)
• Ellen Helgason (Innisfail)
• Doreen Williams (Calgary)
• Kamer Gobert (Bonnyville)
• Hugs n Stitches (St. Albert)
• Melvina Manyheads (Siksika)
• Gabrielle Kirk (Vulcan)
• Sharon Moore (Cochrane)
• West End Seniors (Edmonton)

WHY

By 2051, one in five Albertans will be a senior. This is an opportunity for media to get a first-hand look at how multiple sectors and organizations are supporting older adults now and, in the future, to age with dignity and connection on their terms and in the communities, they call home.

SEE & HEAR

Photo and video opportunities include:

•Dedicated senior-serving staff and volunteer recipients receiving awards.

Hear:

• •Impact stories of how these award winners are making a difference in the lives of older adults across Alberta.
• Minister Nixon and Dr. Zielke will speak in the fireside chat about the development of Assisted Living Alberta

HOW

Any media interested are asked to RSVP by emailing Adrienne Vansevenandt at adrienne.vansevenandt@calgaryunitedway.org by 12 p.m. on Tue, Oct. 6, 2025.

The 2025 Healthy Aging Alberta Summit is hosted by Healthy Aging Alberta in partnership with the Association on Gerontology and the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council.

See the 2025 Healthy Aging Alberta Summit website for more information on the award categories, and the event and session descriptions.

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Media Contact
Adrienne Vansevenandt
Communications and Stakeholder Relations Strategist
Healthy Aging Alberta

Adrienne.vansevenandt@calgaryunitedway.org

About Healthy Aging Alberta

Healthy Aging Alberta (HAA) is a ‘by community, for community’ initiative, powered by United Way Calgary and Area, working to make Alberta one of the best places to grow older. We connect, strengthen, and amplify a network of community-based seniors serving (CBSS) organizations and groups and community allies to support older adults to age on their terms.