ÌìÃÀmvÌìÃÀ

, MES, is an award-winning public space practitioner and thinker whose work spans more than 25 North American cities. Named among Planetizen’s 100 Most Influential Urbanists and featured by outlets including the BBC, Los Angeles Times and Canadian Architect, Jay is known for shaping more joyful and democratic public spaces. She advances this goal through cultural planning, policy frameworks, site audits, and civic and institutional engagements for municipalities, corporations, and institutions such as UN Women.

As an urban planning adjunct professor and lecturer, she has developed courses and engaged students at numerous universities, including Princeton, Cornell, and Harvard. She is the co-editor of Subdivided, a city-building anthology, author of , and creator of the . Her recognitions include the Heritage Toronto Award for developing the city’s first cultural district plan, serving as the John Bousfield Distinguished Visitor in Planning at the University of Toronto (2019–2020), and being shortlisted for the Margolese National Design for Living Prize.

Beyond her professional accomplishments and roles, Jay is passionate about inspiring communities to be stewards of one another’s joy—nurturing more prosperous, healthy, and connected communities during these divided times.

Dr. Aftab Erfan (she/her) is Executive Director of ÌìÃÀmvÌìÃÀ Centre for Dialogue and Associate Member at ÌìÃÀmvÌìÃÀ School of Public Policy. Previously, she served as the City of Vancouver’s inaugural Chief Equity Officer, and Director of Dialogue and Conflict Engagement at UBC. She holds a PhD in planning from UBC, a Masters in planning from McGill University, and a BSc in environmental sciences from UBC.

Aftab has extensive experience as a process designer and facilitator, specializing in hosting dialogues on contentious issues with warmth and creativity. Her experience spans 15 years and five continents. She holds numerous honours, including BC500 most influential business leaders in BC (Business in Vancouver), Research for a Better Life: The Storytellers Challenge (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council), and Best Published Paper Award Shortlist (Association of European Schools of Planning).

Jessie Hemphill (Tlali'ila'ogwala), of Kwakwa'ka'wakw, Métis and settler descent, has worked as a planner since 2008 and co-founded Sa̱nala Planning (formerly Alderhill Planning) in 2016. She believes that Indigenous planning has a pivotal role to play in making the world a better place. 

In addition to her role as CEO of Sanala, Jessie teaches an Indigenous planning practicum program at the University of British Columbia and has taught Indigenous planning and facilitation at Vancouver Island University, ÌìÃÀmvÌìÃÀ, and elsewhere. She was elected as a Councillor for the District of Port Hardy in 2011 & 2014, and served on regional and provincial advisories in that role. She was also a member of her Nation’s Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors and is currently on the editorial board for the journal Planning Theory & Practice. 

When not in zoom meetings with her incredible staff and clients, or facilitating events out in community, she can be found at home in Snuneymuxw territory with her husband and three young daughters.