The Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Dani DeBoice as the organization’s new Executive Director, effective September 22, 2025.
Dani brings over 25 years of experience in corporate, community, and board leadership, with a focus on social impact, strategy, community investment, and philanthropy. Most recently, she was in a leadership role at Suncor Energy Foundation, guiding community investments of $4 million annually through partner identification, assessments, and fostering collaboration across communities and networks.
Dani previously served on VCC’s Board of Directors between 2013 and 2017, in the last two years as Board Chair. With a deep historical knowledge of VCC, and a strong track record of building cross-sector partnerships, leading corporate citizenship engagement, and advancing systems-change initiatives, Dani is well-positioned to lead VCC and deliver on the implementation of Enough for All, Calgary’s poverty reduction strategy.
Born and raised in Calgary on Treaty 7 lands, Dani is deeply committed to an ongoing journey of truth, reconciliation, and reciprocity. She is an active and award-winning community volunteer who passionately believes in citizen engagement and the power of grassroots initiatives to drive societal change and foster cultural progress.
“After an extensive search, we are thrilled to welcome Dani as VCC’s new Executive Director,” said Samuel Hayes, Chair of the VCC Board of Directors. “Her leadership experience, keen interest in systems change, and commitment to community collaboration make her the right person to guide VCC into its next chapter. I am very excited to work with Dani, and I am thrilled she will be helping lead this important organization.”
“I am honoured and excited to join VCC and to lead this important work,” said Dani. “I’ve been a supporter of VCC’s work since its early days, and I believe in the importance of raising the voices of those with lived experience to ensure no one is left behind. I look forward to working alongside the talented VCC team, our community partners, and Calgarians to address the root causes of poverty, enhance well-being, and build a more equitable city.”
The VCC Board extends its deepest appreciation to Alka Merlin for her leadership as Interim Executive Director during this transition and for supporting the organization through this period of change. We also extend gratitude to the whole VCC team for their dedication, professionalism, and hard work over the past few months.
VCC invites community members, partners, and collaborators to join us in welcoming Dani. Stay tuned for opportunities to connect in the coming weeks and months.
Vibrant Communities Calgary stewards Calgary's poverty reduction strategy Enough for All, advocating for policy and systems-level changes that address the root cause of poverty in our city. Working collaboratively with partners and community, Vibrant Communities Calgary actively promotes poverty reduction efforts in Calgary.
