BNB26

About BNB26 Summit

The Better Not Bitter Summit (BNB26) is the flagship annual event of Better Not Bitter Society (BNBS), a Vancouver-based nonprofit founded by Mariat Jibril to transform adversity into hope, healing, and human connection.

For three years, our sold-out summit has brought together community members, business leaders, healthcare professionals, educators, and change-makers for courageous conversations that matter.

This year, we invite you to be part of our most timely conversation yet.

Theme: Family First — The Foundation of Us

Across our communities, many families are navigating challenges that once stayed behind closed doors.

Adult-child estrangement is becoming more common. Loneliness and isolation continue to rise. Mental health concerns are affecting people of every age. Financial pressures, caregiving responsibilities, grief, generational differences, cultural expectations, technology, and the demands of modern life are changing how we connect with those closest to us.

Many people are asking the same questions:

How did we get here?

Why does connection feel harder than ever?

How do we rebuild trust, understanding, and belonging?

BNB26 Summit isn't about blaming families or pretending there are simple answers. It's about creating a space where we can explore these questions together with compassion, curiosity, lived experience, and expert insight.

Whether you are a parent, adult child, partner, caregiver, friend, leader, or simply someone who wants healthier relationships, this evening is for you.

Come curious.

Leave with new perspectives, practical tools, meaningful connections, and renewed hope.

Featured Keynote Speakers

Eudoxie Bridges

Author, philanthropist, entrepreneur, UNICEF Ambassador, and co-founder of Unspoken Angels alongside her husband, Chris Bridges the acclaimed Grammy Award-winning artist known as “Ludacris.” Eudoxie transformed her own story of surviving abuse and poverty into a global mission dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic abuse and uplifting women, girls, and families.

Your BNB26 Experience Includes

• Two inspiring keynote speakers
• A thought-provoking panel discussion
• Executive networking intentionally designed to create meaningful connections
• Complimentary professional portraits by Shades Studio
• Premium swag bag
• BNB26 Awards Celebration
• Entertainment throughout the evening
• Opportunities to connect with executive leaders, industry professionals, and change-makers from British Columbia, across Canada, and around the world.
20% Discount Hotel Accommodation with Sheraton Wall centre

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Sheraton Wall Centre discounted car park at $16 flat rate

(send us an email at info@betternotbitter.ca for instructions and code)

Proud Beneficiary Partner

A portion of proceeds from BNB26 Summit will support Canuck Place Children's Hospice, helping provide exceptional pediatric palliative care and family support for children living with life-threatening illnesses across British Columbia.

Healing begins with conversation.

Change begins with understanding.

Family remains the foundation of us.

Beyond a movement. This is humanity.

Choose Better. Live Better.

Home

RESERVE YOUR SEAT

MEDIA SPONSOR

BNB26 Summit
(CBC Media Sponsor)
Emcee & Moderator

Michelle Eliot

PRESENTING SPONSOR

SPONSOR

Drake Financial - Logomark - RGB - FOR DIGITAL USE-01.jpg

diverse group of family of different ages and ethnicity the foundation of us.jpg

Beyond a Movement: This Is Humanity.

At Better Not Bitter Society (BNBS), we believe that health is health, and there should never be shame associated with healing.

Founded from the lived experience of our Founder, BNBS was created to challenge mental health stigma, foster belonging, and help people move beyond survival mode to thrive. We believe healing begins when people feel seen, heard, and understood.

The Better Not Bitter Summit is our annual gathering of humanity. Since launching in 2024 and returning with another sold-out event in 2025, the summit has become a space for courageous conversations, meaningful connection, and powerful storytelling.

Through speakers with lived experience, thought leaders, and change-makers, we share stories that inspire hope, build resilience, and remind people they are not alone. We believe stories have the power to break stigma, create understanding, and spark healing.

While the summit is our signature annual event, our work continues throughout the year through programs, workshops, and community initiatives that promote wellbeing, connection, and resilience.

BNB26 is an invitation to connect, learn, grow, and be part of a community that believes everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Better Not Bitter.
Choose Better. Live Better.

BNB26 Beneficiary Partner

Supporting Families Through Canuck Place Children's Hospice

At this year's BNB26 Summit, we are honoured to partner with Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, a leading organization providing compassionate pediatric palliative care and support to children with life-threatening illnesses and the families who love them.

For more than 30 years, Canuck Place has helped families navigate some of life's most challenging moments with dignity, comfort, connection, and hope.

Through this partnership, we are supporting families, strengthening communities, and advancing our shared belief that no family should face hardship alone.

Together, we are choosing compassion, connection, and humanity in action.

Meet The Speakers

Keynote Speaker

My name is Alexa Young

Eudoxie Bridges

Founder, Unspoken Angels Foundation
Unicef Ambassador

Eudoxie Bridges is a Gabonese philanthropist and influencer, known for her impactful work with Unspoken Angels, a non-governmental organization she founded in 2013. This organization focuses on raising awareness about sexual abuse and providing vital support to survivors.

After spending her early years in Gabon, Eudoxie immigrated to the United States during her adolescence, where she continued her education and achieved an MBA in Global management. Alongside her academic pursuits, she has established herself as a businesswoman, managing a design company while being actively involved in philanthropic endeavors.

Eudoxie’s unwavering commitment to social change is evident through her continuous efforts to support and empower women and girls around the world, as portrayed by her campaign against abuse with the United Nation. In addition to her professional and philanthropic activities, Eudoxie balances her responsibilities as a dedicated mother and wife to American rapper and actor Ludacris.

Land Acknowledgement

Elder Faye (Yeltsilewet) Halls

Faye (Yeltsilewet) Halls is a respected Squamish Nation Elder, educator, and knowledge keeper dedicated to advancing Indigenous education, reconciliation, and cultural understanding. With more than four decades of leadership, she founded the Eslha7an Learning Centre and co-created The Paddle Journey, using storytelling to preserve history, inspire learning, and strengthen relationships across communities.

Featured Mental Wellness Speaker

My name is Alexa Young

Dr. Shahana Alibhai

Medical Director at Foundry Abbotsford

Dr. Shahana Alibhai helps organizations unlock human performance by making the invisible visible.

Dr. Shahana Alibhai is a two-time TEDx speaker, family physician, bestselling author of Feel Better, and Medical Director at Foundry Abbotsford, British Columbia's largest integrated youth health centre. She combines the science of medicine with practical strategies that help people improve resilience, communication, leadership, and performance.

Known for blending science, storytelling, and practical tools, Dr. Shahana equips audiences to see what has been hidden, understand what matters, and do what works.

Contributing Sponsors

Panelist Speakers

Thought leaders, change-makers, and lived-experience voices exploring the relationships, challenges, and connections that shape our families, communities, and wellbeing.

Christie Garofalo

Philanthropic Leader & Community Impact Advocate

Christie Garofalo is a mother, community leader and philanthropist with over two decades of involvement supporting children, youth, women’s health, the arts and communities across Canada. Her leadership includes Arts Umbrella, Vancouver Police Foundation, BC Women’s Hospital, CANFAR and YPO. A mother of five and part of a blended family of eight, Christie believes deeply in family, connection and community.

Brandi Halls

Executive Vice President of Brand, Marketing and Community Engagement at Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation

Brandi Halls (Yeltsíliya) is a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh woman and Executive Vice President of Brand, Marketing and Community Engagement at Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation, the economic development arm of the Squamish Nation. A former Lush Cosmetics executive, Brandi brings over 20 years of leadership in brand, communications and reputation, grounded in building trust, creating economic opportunity and advancing long-term prosperity for her Nation and community.

Yabome Gilpin-Jackson PhD, ICD.D, CEC

Supporting Learning & Development Consulting Inc.

Yabome Gilpin-Jackson, PhD, is a scholar-practitioner, executive leader, and educator in Human and Organization Development. She serves as Simon Fraser University's first Vice-President, People, Equity and Inclusion, is Associate Faculty at Beedie School of Business, and is the author and editor of influential books advancing leadership, transformation, and global African perspectives through research, practice, education, and storytelling.

Paschal Okwundu

Founder and CEO of Binta Financial

Paschal Okwundu is Founder and CEO of Binta Financial, a Vancouver-based fintech building infrastructure for cross-border financial mobility. With over a decade in banking, consulting, and innovation, he designs financial solutions that help people move, settle, and thrive globally. An MBA graduate from UBC, he is passionate about using technology to expand opportunity and inclusion.

Shannon Christensen, MA., M.S.M

Founder and CEO of Mamas for Mamas

Shannon Christensen, MSM, is Founder and CEO of Mamas for Mamas, a charity supporting mothers, caregivers, and families facing poverty. With a Master's in Counselling Psychology specializing in forensic psychology, she has grown the organization into a national movement providing support, advocacy, and maternal mental health services. Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Shannon is a mother three.

Aleem Kassam

Creative Director & principal - Kalu by Kassam

Aleem Kassam, Founder of Kalu Interiors, is an award-winning designer whose work has been internationally published. Educated in Vancouver, Chicago, Milan, and London, he brings a global perspective to residential, hospitality, and commercial design. A philanthropist, author, media personality, and style icon, he was named one of Canada's Best Dressed by The Globe and Mail.

Closing Reflection Speaker

Genesa Greening CFRE

My name is Alexa Young

Genesa Greening, CFRE is the Founder and Principal of Apipunsit Collective Consulting and a respected nonprofit leader with executive experience at Vancity Community Foundation, BC Women's Health Foundation, and First United. Drawing from lived experience in blended family life, She speaks to belonging, identity, and the family systems that shape who we become and how we lead.

Vancouver's Man About Town Joins BNB26 Summit

My name is Alexa Young

For more than two decades, Vancouver’s “Man About Town” Fred Lee has chronicled the city’s A-list galas, fundraisers, and community celebrations through his columns in Vancouver Magazine, Boulevard, and The Province. A longtime CBC contributor and past co-host of the national food show Flavour of the Week, Fred is also a tireless volunteer, mentor, and fundraising auctioneer who has helped raise millions for local causes.

Fred Lee

BNB26 Community Partners

BNB26 SUMMIT

RESERVE YOUR SEAT

What to Expect

Powerful keynote speakers sharing stories of resilience, healing, leadership, and family.

An engaging panel discussion featuring leaders, changemakers, and community voices.

Meaningful networking opportunities before and after the program.

The BNB26 Awards celebrating individuals and organizations creating positive impact.

A complimentary professional black-and-white portrait courtesy of Shades Studio.

Live entertainment, special experiences, raffle draws, and giveaways.

A curated BNB26 swag bag to take home.

Opportunities to connect with executive leaders, industry professionals, and change-makers from British Columbia, across Canada, and around the world.