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Join us for The Peer Recovery and Resiliency Symposium, presented by The Recovery and Resiliency Foundation, a Canadian-registered charity. This transformative event is dedicated to empowering first responders, healthcare professionals, and others affected by trauma to embrace healing and post-traumatic growth. Taking place in the Canadian Rocky Mountains on October 26th and 27th at The beautiful Malcolm Hotel in Canmore, Alberta. This symposium will focus on turning adversity into strength, fostering resilience, and building a supportive community for those on the frontlines.
The event will feature dynamic, international keynote speakers from Finland, Australia, the United States and Canada. These leading mental health experts, trauma survivors, and resiliency advocates will share inspiring stories and actionable insights. Discussions will explore themes such as:
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Harnessing the potential of post-traumatic growth
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Practical strategies for resilience and emotional regulation
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Cultivating self-compassion and mindfulness
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Building peer support networks for ongoing wellness
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Improving interpersonal relationships to bolster post-traumatic growth.
Participants will gain tools to transform personal and professional challenges into opportunities for growth and renewal. Vendors will showcase organizations and services dedicated to mental health, wellness, and support tailored to first responders and trauma-affected individuals.
This symposium offers a safe space for connection, understanding, and healing. Whether you are looking to enhance your resilience, explore the concept of post-traumatic growth, or connect with a community of like-minded professionals, the Recovery and Resiliency Symposium is an event not to be missed.
Mark your calendars for this powerful event of discovery, hope, and renewal.
$139 CAD/Ticket
Meet The Speakers
Your Host
Daniel Sundahl, MPCC-P, ACP
Daniel Sundahl (DanSun) is a published artist and writer with 4 art books produced of his works. Articles of his work are featured in several international publications, and his art is recognized and exhibited worldwide. Daniel is a registered counselling therapist, a certified clinical trauma specialist, an advanced care paramedic and retired career firefighter. He is the president and founder of The Recovery and Resiliency Foundation, a charitable organization that helps support people living with symptoms of trauma.
Daniel was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Taking up a global residency as an English language teacher in Egypt, Mexico, Indonesia and Japan, he now works full-time as an artist, counsellor and public speaker. The majority of Daniel's work involves emergency services imagery. It comprises an emotional connection to the artist as most of his pieces are based on actual emergency calls he has attended as a paramedic and firefighter.
Dr. Alexandra Jabr, Ph.D., EMT-P
Dr. Jabr, PhD, EMT-P began her career in EMS in 2003 and has been an educator since 2008. She holds a master’s degree in mental health with an emphasis on death, grief, and bereavement and earned a Ph.D. in depth psychology, researching psychedelic therapy for first responders with PTSD. Alex is the creator of Emergency Resilience, a continuing education platform dedicated to helping first responders build resilience by integrating marginal topics into routine training.
Dr. Minna Halinen, MD
Dr. Halinen is a general practice specialist and Senior Medical Educator at HUS Acute, the Emergency Department of Helsinki University Hospital. She has over 20 years of experience in emergency care and more than a decade in medical education. Her areas of expertise include patient safety, simulation-based learning, and stress management. Dr. Halinen is passionate about transforming emergency care into a psychologically safer environment—especially for nurses and early-career clinicians—through comprehensive education, collaboration, and the development of protocols for minor trauma management. Dr. Halinen is a member and educator of FinnEM -Finnish Emergency Medicine Organization and FinnHELP, a low-threshold counselling service for healthcare workers across Finland.
Sampsa Suomi
Sampsa Suomi is a paramedic supervisor turned occupational counsellor for healthcare workers. He specializes in occupational mental health and crisis intervention. With years of experience leading teams under high pressure, he now helps emergency workers across Finland manage their stressors.
Mark Boucahrd, MA
Mark Bouchard has 17 years of law enforcement experience working for the Delta Police Department and the RCMP. He has primarily worked patrol (general duty) and on the Emergency Response Team (SWAT). Mark has been an advanced care tactical police medic for 10 years. He recently received a promotion into the RCMP's National Tactical Medicine Program, which coordinates the RCMP's advanced care police medics. He also has many years of experience instructing mental health (R2MR) and working in peer support roles.
Mark has completed a master's degree in leadership from Royal Roads University, with a research project focused on police culture and police officer mental health. Mark has combined his experiences and research into a book called Setting My Sights on Stigma: Thoughts From an Injured Mind. It is a combination of his experiences with his PTSD diagnosis and the research that helped him to heal from his psychological injury.
Marissa Rose Kukulies
Marissa Rose is a Registered Advanced Care Paramedic II, neuroscience researcher, and host of The Inner Response Podcast. With over a decade on the frontlines, Marissa combines lived experience with PTSD and a deep passion for neuroscience to explore how trauma impacts memory, emotional regulation, sleep, and nervous system function. Currently completing her Master’s in Neuroscience, she uses her own trauma-affected brain as a case study to better understand healing. Her recovery journey was shaped by equine therapy with her horse Caesar, inspiring her business Unbridled Connections and her thesis on how horses help rewire trauma-impacted brains. Through outdoor therapy, painting, and evidence-based coping tools, Marissa empowers fellow responders to rediscover regulation, resilience, and hope.
Marissa’s mission is simple: to help others understand that you are not broken, that healing is possible, and the brain is capable of powerful change.
Dr. Kathy Rolfe, Ph.D
Dr. Rolfe spent 6.5 years in the Canadian Forces before joining the Edmonton Police Service, where she served in various areas such as gang unit, drug undercover street team, as a supervisor in patrol, and in a provincial organized crime unit. After a 20-year career, she retired from the Edmonton Police Service in 2019. While with the police service, she was a peer support team member, connected with many members, and attended numerous Critical Incident Stress Debriefings in this role.
Dr. Rolfe has been in private psychology practice as the owner of Balance Psychological Services Inc. for the past 12 years and specializes in first responder and military PTSD and related occupational stress injuries. As a result, she primarily sees first responders, veterans, actively serving military members, and their families. Dr. Rolfe is an associate instructor at Simon Fraser University, teaching the Organizational Structure and Stigma Reduction course as a component of the First Responder Trauma Prevention and Recovery Certificate. She is also a member of the American Academy of Traumatic Stress and the Green Cross, which deploys internationally in times of crisis to offer psychological support. Kathy is terrible at golf but goes at least once a week in the summer months. She discovers that indoor golf does not improve her game, but she loses fewer balls in the virtual bushes.
Sponsors - Thank you for your support
Platinum Sponsors
Stan Walker
Gold Sponsors
Dale Bayliss
Silver Sponsors
Sara Miller
Isabelle Sukerta
Fort Saskatchewan Corrections
Loved Again Cashmere
Help us by sponsoring this event
The Recovery and Resiliency Foundation, a Canadian-registered charity, is thrilled to put on this transformative event designed to empower communities and individuals through innovative approaches to healing, rebuilding, and growth. Your sponsorship will enable us to bring together experts, thought leaders, and participants to share insights, strategies, and resources for overcoming challenges and fostering long-term resilience. By partnering with us, your organization will not only gain visibility among a diverse and engaged audience but also play a pivotal role in driving positive change and supporting recovery efforts. Join us in making a lasting impact—together, we can build a stronger, more resilient future. Contact us using the form below, and we will send you the sponsorship package for this event.
The Chris Siddons Chair is a special seat at the Recovery and Resiliency Symposium.
Chris Siddons was a dear friend and a speaker at our first symposium. A veteran of the British Army, he served for over a decade, including tours in Northern Ireland and the Gulf War. Tragically, Chris lost his battle with mental trauma in 2019.
In his honor, we invite anyone interested in attending the symposium to apply for The Chris Siddons Chair by sharing why they would like to be part of this event. The selected applicant will receive free admission to The RnR Symposium and a seat at the speakers' table. Travel and accommodation are not included.
To apply, send your entry to info@recoveryandresiliencyfoundation.com by October 1, 2025.
The Chris Siddons Chair is proudly sponsored by Tania Breen.
