the intelligent futures team

Jackie Brown

Jackie has spent more than 20 years working as a communications specialist and writer. Her work has appeared in magazines, publications, books, websites and promotional materials across the country, and she has worked extensively as a communications strategist in several leading corporations.
An interest in sustainability planning led to Jackie’s role as a communications specialist with imagineCALGARY (since 2007) and most recently with the Cochrane Sustainability Plan. Her experience with long-term sustainability planning includes a focus on communications planning and strategies, website development, community engagement and the implementation of a variety of communications initiatives.
Jackie has been honored with awards from the International Association of Business Communicators (both National and International) and the National Health Care Public Relations Association, among others.

Blythe Butler

Blythe has a variety of experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Most recently, Blythe contributed to the development of the London Benchmarking Group (Canada), a community of companies committed to maximizing the social value they create – for communities and for their businesses. In addition, Blythe has designed and delivered content related to pioneer leadership development as a guide and committee member of Leadership Calgary – Canada’s leading-edge community leadership program. This program is based on wise and deep self-cultivation designed to equip community leaders with the tools for disciplined, thorough inquiry and wise action – so that individuals and communities can address the most significant adaptive challenges they face. Blythe has been contributing to the ongoing development, design and delivery of Leadership Calgary content to over 100 Leadership Calgary participants over the last four years.
For her career achievements and contributions to the community, Blythe was recently named as one of “Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40.”

Chris Elkey

Chris brings a large portfolio of planning experience to his work with Intelligent Futures. Chris is currently working in the land development industry managing the planning and implementation of a residential development in Airdrie, Alberta. This development includes preserving over 40 acres of environmentally sensitive land and providing for an extensive mix of uses including passive and active open space, pathways, a school, and a variety of housing, this project has the highest densities of any community in Airdrie to date and is being described as the most efficient use of land in any residential community ever built in the city.

Chris has worked as a Strategic Planner with the Plan It Calgary team – the City of Calgary’s long range and integrated Land Use and Mobility Plan. Chris was involved in work that included growth management approaches and tools and regional planning. As a Community Planner with the City of Airdrie, Chris worked an a number policy and development plans for new and exiting communities in Airdrie, continually pushing the development industry to design and implement more sustainable communities. Chris also managed the Planning Department, providing guidance to a staff of 10 in the management of growth of the City in a sustainable way.

Chris is a full Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and is involved in professional development and teaching in a variety of settings. He was Chair of the 2006 Alberta Association, Canadian Institute of planners Conference that investigated innovative ways of achieving more sustainable urban and rural development. Chris also teaches at the University of Calgary in the Faculty of Environmental Design and the Urban Studies Program. Chris has a Masters Degree in Environmental Design from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor Degree in Urban Geography from the University of British Columbia.

Jaydan Tait

Jaydan has extensive experience in the development industry. Working to create sustainable, livable urban environments, Jaydan has managed a variety of multifamily projects in his career. Currently, he is Development Manager with Grosvenor in Calgary, working to develop innovative multi-family, commercial, and mixed-use projects that lead Calgary’s transformation into a cosmopolitan urban oriented city. A Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, Jaydan is actively involved in a variety of professional initiatives, including as a member of the Alberta Association of the Canadian Institute of Planners Accreditation Committee and as the Chair of the Environmental Design Alumni Advisory Council. Jaydan has a Bachelor Degree in Geography and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Design from the University of Calgary.

Laura Weckman

Laura has been working as a Planner for over eight years on numerous long-range and current planning projects. Laura’s work is focused on planning for a sustainable future both in urban and rural environments in collaboration with local residents. Laura’s experience includes over 5 years with the City of Calgary working as a community planner both with the Established Neighbourhoods and Centre City teams. Project work in Calgary has included the 16 Avenue North Urban Corridor Plan, East Village Area Redevelopment Plan and the Centre City Plan. Laura has worked for the Town of Banff and also for Parks Canada on community plans, park management plans and current development projects. Laura has a degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Waterloo.