Dani DeBoice

As a born and raised Calgarian, Dani DeBoice grew up on Treaty 7 lands and continues her journey to better understand truth, reconciliation and reciprocity. Utilizing more than 25 years of corporate, community and board expertise with a focus on social impact, strategy, community investment and philanthropy, Dani works with organizations to meet their goals and deliver outcomes. In her role as Executive Director of Vibrant Communities Calgary, she leads Calgary’s sole non-profit dedicated to poverty reduction through systems change. Through stewardship of the Enough for All poverty reduction strategy, Dani and the VCC team bring together organizations, government, and community to inspire change, reduce poverty, and enhance well-being. In past roles, Dani worked collaboratively with multiple partners around complex social issues. She was privileged to learn from, and with, Indigenous young leaders, Elders and Knowledge Keepers through the first corporate Indigenous Youth Advisory Council, which she led and supported.

Dani has a keen interest in policy advocacy, community economic development, financial empowerment and poverty reduction. She has experience working across sectors, including oil and gas, financial services, and public education. Dani is an active community volunteer and believes passionately in citizen engagement and the power of grassroots initiatives to shift society and progress cultural change.

I began my career working in public education in various administrative roles. I saw firsthand the importance of programs that feed children breakfast or lunch at school and knew that often, that was the only meal many of those children would have. My work shifted to financial services, and I was able to engage with many organizations working to build financial empowerment for those who don’t have the same level of access as many people have the privilege to enjoy. I also began to volunteer more actively with causes that were important to me. I first got involved with Vibrant Communities Calgary when I was asked to join the Living Wage Committee, then the Strategic Opportunities Committee, and then the Board. This led to a deeper understanding of the power of the voices of lived experience of poverty and broad community engagement in revealing gaps and unintended consequences.

Poverty is a complex social issue. It is one that I believe we, as a society, can help lessen the impacts and build the foundation to support people in taking steps out of poverty, hopefully filling the cracks so that more people don’t fall into, or fall deeper into, poverty. Because I believe in a Calgary where there is enough for all!