Alberta Co-op Sector Assembly to Feature Alberta Counsel’s Michaela Frey
As Alberta’s co-operative sector looks ahead to the next phase of growth, leadership, and visibility, ACCA is pleased to welcome Michaela Frey as a featured speaker at the 2026 Co-op Sector Assembly in Red Deer on June 3.
A Perspective on Communication, Relationships & Public Conversations
With experience spanning government, communications, policy, and stakeholder relations, Michaela brings a unique perspective to conversations already emerging across Alberta’s co-operative sector:
How do co-operatives position themselves earlier in conversations around economic development, business continuity, community investment, and public priorities?
As a former MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat and former Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff in Premier Danielle Smith’s office, Michaela has worked directly within Alberta’s political and policy environment at the highest levels. Today, as a Senior Advisor with Alberta Counsel, she continues helping organizations navigate government relations, communications, and strategic engagement.
Michaela’s background working across public, private, and non-profit sectors offers valuable insight into how organizations successfully build relationships, communicate priorities, and position themselves within evolving provincial conversations.
Her session, Alberta Policy & Opportunity Outlook, will help set the stage for the day by exploring Alberta’s current policy and economic environment, while offering insight into the importance of communication, relationship-building, and ensuring co-operative voices are part of conversations shaping communities and the economy.
Why These Conversations Matter
For ACCA, this discussion connects directly to broader conversations taking place throughout the day.
Across Alberta, co-operatives are already responding to major challenges and opportunities tied to:
business continuity and succession
local ownership and economic resilience
leadership development
housing and community infrastructure
public awareness of the co-operative model
rural and regional economic stability
Too often, the co-operative model enters conversations after priorities and solutions are already being shaped — not because co-operatives lack relevance, but because the sector’s story, impact, and potential are still not visible enough in broader economic and government conversations.
The Alberta Co-op Sector Assembly is another important step toward strengthening those conversations, building connections, and ensuring Alberta’s co-operative sector is more visible, engaged, and part of shaping what comes next.
Michaela’s perspective will help frame part of that conversation.
Join ACCA in Red Deer on June 3
The 2026 Alberta Co-op Sector Assembly will bring co-operative leaders together from across Alberta for a day focused on connection, visibility, leadership, and the future of Alberta’s co-operative sector.
As momentum continues to build across the province, this gathering is an opportunity to reconnect in person, hear from sector and community leaders, and continue strengthening relationships and conversations that support Alberta’s co-operative future.
Use these links to review updated event details, speaker information, the schedule of events and register.
