2025 National Partner Launch Speaker Listing

Welcome from the Foundation

Karen Faulkner

Karen has more than 30 years of experience spanning the corporate and charitable sectors, leading teams through organizational change and transformational campaigns. Karen has dedicated more than a decade to advancing kids’ health as the Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer and now as the President & CEO.

New Hospital campaign

Katherine Sweet

As Vice President of External Relations and Communications at the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, Katherine leads a team that connects people and communities to improve children’s health. Through marketing, advocacy, partnerships and storytelling, her team inspires support and strengthens relationships that help make a difference. She works to give donors, Stollery families and the public a stronger voice in shaping the future of children’s health in Alberta and beyond.

Mental health

Lori Thompson

Lori currently serves as Interim Director for Children, Youth and Families with Recovery Alberta in the Edmonton Zone. Over the past 13 years, she has held leadership roles with AHS, and now Recovery Alberta, in both the children’s mental health and adult mental health portfolios. Working to enhance mental health and addiction care for children, youth and families is a high priority for Lori. She is honored to partner with the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation on initiatives that continue to expand the integration of mental health services within the Stollery Hospital

Hospital Transport Team

Klara Vigen

Klara (left) is a Registered Nurse with more than 25 years of experience in pediatric critical care, including roles as a PICU transport nurse and staff educator. As the Co-ordinator for the Foundation-funded Critical Care Outreach Program, she leads initiatives to enhance the care of neonates and critically ill children at referral sites across Alberta, providing crucial support and expertise. Klara holds a Master’s of Nursing in Pediatrics and also coordinates the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) program, ensuring healthcare teams are prepared for life-threatening pediatric emergencies.

Lisa Leroux

Lisa (right) is an experienced Registered Nurse with nearly 25 years in pediatric critical care. Her diverse roles have included PICU Transport Nurse, Clinical Nurse Educator, Coordinator of the PICU Transport Team, and now Manager of the Stollery Critical Care Transport Teams (NICU & PICU). She has also held a leadership position with Alberta Air Ambulance and IFT Strategy in EMS. Currently pursuing her Master’s in Nursing at the University of Calgary, Lisa is passionate about leadership and advocating for equitable healthcare access for critically ill neonates and children.

Stollery alum, Brenna

Meet Brenna! Brenna is a smart, energetic and independent teenager. She enjoys playing rugby, has taught herself guitar, and after a mental health crisis and subsequent treatment by her Stollery team, Brenna uses her experience to advocate for mental health. Hear more about Brenna’s mental health story and how she’s doing today.

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