The BIA
The Inglewood Business Improvement Area (BIA), is one of 15 associations in Calgary. The BIA is a collaborative effort, within a geographical zone defined through the City, by businesses to promote, manage and maintain their collective well-being.
The Inglewood BIA’s mission is to bring vibrancy to the main street of 9th Avenue SE and surrounding business area. It also aims to raise awareness about Inglewood and build a sense of belonging.
Inglewood’s BIA has a volunteer, elected Board of Directors (BoD). Board members are ratepayers or a designated representative of a ratepayer. The board has an appointed Associate Member position, whose role is the BIA/Inglewood Community Association liaison. Board members- as a collective-make budget decisions.
The Inglewood BIA, has one full-time staff (Executive Director) and one part-time staff (Administration). Staff follow direction from the board. Contractors and volunteers are additional support resources.
All BIAs are financed through a BIA levy , collected by the City of Calgary, and distributed to each of the BIAs. BIAs also have the ability to apply for grants.
Meet BIA Board and Staff
Rebecca O'Brien
Rebecca lives, works, and plays in Inglewood. She is committed to the walkable vibrancy of Inglewood’s historic neighbourhood and the ingredients that contribute to building thriving main streets. Rebecca sees the key to Inglewood’s success as: “it takes a village to make a village” (or as Jane Jacobs said: “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody”).
Karen Bray
Karen Bray is the Executive Assistant at the BIA, handling routine administrative duties, compiling all information needed for our yearly Audit, taking BIA meeting Minutes, and helping out wherever needed. She has worked here since March 2014 and has loved seeing Inglewood flourish under the direction of our Board Members and Executive Director. She is also a longtime resident of Inglewood, going on 24 years, and has great pride for her neighbourhood and business community!
Chair
Dan Allard
Co Owner Cold Garden Beverage Company
Vice Chair
Mathilde Van Duyvendyk
A proud member of the Inglewood/Ramsay community with a knack for shooting the breeze and finding something interesting about everyone. Keeping it local is always priority number one.
Devon Sidwell
Treasurer
Devon is a Co-Founder of Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Company and is serving his second term on the Board. As resident of the community and proud supporter of small business, Devon serves the BIA with keen interest and a strong desire to see the neighborhood grow.
Secretary
Veronica Murphy
Owner of STASH Lounge in the heart of Inglewood, Veronica Murphy has been a board member on the Inglewood BIA since 2018, and currently holds an executive position as Secretary for the board. Veronica has lived in the neighbourhood for over 17 years and strives to ensure that Inglewood is the perfect place to live, work, and play.
Director
Josh Taylor
Notorious Hair Salaon
Taylor Epp
Taylor Epp owns and operates The Mad Hatter Coffee Community in Inglewood, a colorful and whimsical coffee shop and creative space featuring local products, complimentary art supplies and tasty beverages.
Director
John Papavacilopilis
Owner of Oak and Vine
Director
Bill Bonar
Owner of Rain Dog Bar
ICA/BIA Liaison
Isaac Bignall
Owner of Say Cheese
