Kristy Koehler

Calgary, Alberta
📧 kristyleekoehler1@gmail.com · 📞 403-970-9217

Education

Bachelor of Arts (Honours), History
University of Calgary · 2020
Honours thesis examined the intersection of nationalism and Denomination of Origin wine products.

Professional Experience

Doing It Right Women’s Conference — Calgary, AB

Non-partisan women’s conference focused on civic engagement, political literacy, and leadership participation.

Co-Founder · 2025

  • Directed all aspects of planning and execution for the inaugural conference (160+ attendees, keynote speaker, and multi-sector panels spanning business, energy, politics, and public policy)

  • Secured sponsorships and partnerships covering the full event budget through strategic outreach and tiered branding opportunities

  • Developed the conference’s mission, messaging, and visual identity to emphasize balanced, issues-driven dialogue over partisanship

  • Oversaw content strategy, marketing, media engagement, speaker logistics, venue management, and volunteer coordination

Alberta Institute — Calgary, AB

Independent public policy think tank advancing personal freedom and choice

Director of Operations & Communications · May 2025 – Present
Director of Communications · Jan 2024 – May 2025
Executive Director, Common Sense Cities Project · Sept 2022 – Present
Media & Communications Coordinator · April 2022 – Dec 2023
Casual / Contract Writer · August 2021 – April 2022

  • Led day-to-day operations and all external communications across Alberta Institute projects and affiliates, including Common Sense Cities, Alberta Parents’ Union, the Free Alberta Strategy, Project Confederation, and partner institutes in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba

  • Managed editorial and operational workflows across multiple organizations

  • Served as Executive Director of the Common Sense Cities project

  • Edited policy reports, op-eds, and public information materials

  • Developed and maintained comprehensive editorial standards and style guides

  • Coordinated and executed public events, one-off lectures, and multi-city speaking tours

POD Marketing Inc. — Calgary, AB

Digital marketing agency specializing in eye care, dental, senior living, and medical aesthetics

Manager of Email Marketing · Sept 2022 – Mar 2023
Senior Email Marketing Strategist / Brand Engagement Editor · Apr 2022 – Sept 2022
Senior Copywriter / Content Strategist · Mar 2021 – Apr 2022

  • Developed and executed integrated marketing strategies for dental and optometry clients

  • Conducted extensive technical research to produce medically accurate content published under physicians’ names

  • Wrote full websites, newsletters, and campaigns, including industry pieces published in professional eye-care publications

  • Combined creative storytelling with data analysis (open rates, segmentation, A/B testing) to improve campaign performance

The Gauntlet Publications Society — Calgary, AB

University of Calgary’s independent student newspaper

Editor-in-Chief · 2019 – 2021
Sports Editor · 2018 – 2019

  • Directed editorial strategy and day-to-day operations of the publication

  • Edited across all sections with emphasis on logic, fairness, and argument strength

  • Mentored writers on structure, tone, and journalistic standards

  • Oversaw publication design and online content

Delta Hotels & Resorts – Lodge at Kananaskis — Kananaskis, AB

Resort with 412 guestrooms, 21 meeting rooms, and 22,000 sq. ft. of event space

Wedding & Social Catering Manager (Sales & Conference Services) · 2012 – 2014

  • Managed full sales and event lifecycles, including site inspections, proposals, contracts, and Banquet Event Orders

  • Planned weddings, social functions, and corporate retreats

  • Exceeded revenue goals by 194% in 2013

  • Recognized as one of Delta’s Top 20 Conference Services Managers every eligible quarter

Fairmont Palliser Hotel — Calgary, AB

Historic, landmark 407 room hotel in downtown Calgary with a fine dining restaurant famous for Brunch and Afternoon Tea, a lounge and 24-hour in room dining 

Senior Food and Beverage Supervisor  · 2011 – 2012

  • Oversaw the day to day operations of the RimRock Dining Room, the Oak Room Lounge and In Room Dining 

  • Managed a staff of 20+ colleagues in a union environment 

Fine Art Bartending School — Kelowna & Kamloops, BC

Owner / Instructor · 2008 – 2011

  • Owned and operated a bartender-training business

  • Taught bar operations, service standards, mixology, and hospitality fundamentals

  • Managed accounting, marketing, staffing, and curriculum development

Casual & Volunteer Work

The Military Museums — Calgary, AB

Educational Interpreter (Casual) · 2022 – 2025

  • Delivered historical interpretation and educational programming to school groups and the public

  • Assisted with exhibits and special events

  • Translated complex historical material into accessible, engaging presentations

University of Calgary — Calgary, AB

Consulting Editor, Undergraduate History Journal · 2019

President, University of Calgary Undergraduate History Students’ Association · 2018–2019

Campus Tour Guide, University of Calgary · 2018

Orientation Leader, University of Calgary · 2018

Downtown Calgary Association — Calgary, AB

Downtown Historian (Summer Placement) · 2018

  • Produced weekly historical segments for summer music programming

  • Wrote historical features used in downtown promotional materials

  • Created and maintained a historical database for future organizational use

  • Updated historical brochures with accessible, narrative-driven content

Chinook Country Historical Society — Calgary, AB

Board Member (Director of Communications) · 2018 – 2019

  • Led website redevelopment

  • Managed newsletters and public/media relations

Wine & Hospitality Industry Experience

Teaching , Facilitation, & Speaking Engagements

  • Instructor, Wine Appreciation · Metropolitan Bartending School · 2015

  • Instructor, Beginner Bartending · Metropolitan Bartending School · 2015

  • Judge, Alberta Amateur Winemakers Provincial Competition (Bordeaux & Social Wine categories) · 2013

  • Competitor, Sun Peaks Bartender Showdown · 2011

  • Resident Sommelier, Kamloops Wine Festival · 2010

  • Guest Speaker, Wine Label Trends · Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Tourism · 2010

  • Guest Speaker, Food & Wine Pairing · Thompson Rivers University Culinary School · 2010

  • Facilitator, Wine Seminars · Delta Grand Okanagan Wine Festival · 2009–2010

  • Instructor, Wine Service · Okanagan College (Continuing Education) · 2009

  • Instructor, Wine 101 · Okanagan College (Continuing Education) · 2009

Hospitality Work Experience

  • Fence & Post Restaurant Bartender / Bar Manager · 2017 - 2019 · Cochrane AB 

  • Starbelly Restaurant: Bartender / Bar Manager · 2015 - 2017 · Calgary AB 

  • Sirocco Golf Club: Bartender / Supervisor · 2011 - 2012 · Calgary AB 

  • Divine Proportions Catering: Banquet Captain · 2009 - 2010 · Kelowna BC 

  • Boston Pizza: Bartender · 2008 - 2009 · Kelowna BC 

  • Harvest Golf Club: Bartender · 2007 - 2008 · Kelowna BC 

  • Fogg N’ Suds Taphouse: Server / Bartender· 2005 – 2006 · Kamloops BC