Karen Ball is a nationally recognized culture and community leader with over 20 years developing the community and cultural landscape in Canada. Through her consulting practice she has been a thought leader and collaborator in key community planning within Alberta including providing strategic direction and leading multi-stakeholder consultation for Calgary 2026 for the potential Olympic and Paralympic bid, City of Calgary in the creation of their Culture Plan, and Government of Alberta for the Premier’s Council for Culture to advance Alberta’s cultural prosperity and the Provincial contribution to Canada 150. She has served as the Director of Community Investment for Calgary Arts Development, Partnership Liaison, Western Canada with the Canada Council and the Executive Director of Calgary’s Year as Cultural Capital of Canada. She currently serves as the Interim President + CEO of Calgary’s Chamber of Voluntary Organizations.