Leo Campos Aldunez

A Short Biography

For the past 10 years or so I have been mainly self-employed and/or doing contractual work, which by the way, I enjoy immensely, when it comes my way. During my long career in Canada I have been an adult educator/community animator, translator, project consultant/leader, volunteer coordinator, communications freelancer, PR & media representative, and radio host. Have worked and/or volunteered in these fields with social, educational, arts & cultural groups, small businesses, political organizations and non-profit societies in Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and since 1986, Alberta.

My educational background is in media, arts, and adult education; I have taught & facilitated volunteer leadership/capacity building workshops for the Literacy Learning Centre, Edmonton Inner City Housing Society, and Las Americas Housing Co-operative Ltd.

I also spent a few years in community outreach with Edmonton Tools for Peace Society, the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association, Just Christmas Fair Trade Marketplace, Las Americas Housing Co-operative Ltd., and have been employed as a conference coordinator for the Council of Canadians, volunteered as a board member for the International Marketplace Initiative, Action for Healthy Communities, and have translated for the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board, and immigrant serving agencies.

I was a former Provincial Advisor for the Alberta Association for Community Living (People First), then privileged to held the post of Assistant Regional Director at Canada World Youth Prairies, as well as serving as Project Leader with the Pakistan-Saskatchewan and Nepal-Saskatchewan Youth Exchange Programs. Most recently, I was a project leader for Health & Wellness for Immigrant Men, and co-founded the Edmonton Immigrant Men Support Network Society; I occupy there the honorary position of Executive Coordinator.

In my work with media, I have worked as a communications consultant, social marketing strategist, documentary producer/narrator, fundraiser for various organizations, including The Learning Network & The Alberta Teachers’ Association, Grant McEwan Community College, Our Voice Magazine, Lorna Thomas Productions and Creative Control Inc. In the 90’s I formed/co-lead the folk-roots band “Sticks & Stones.”

Since the spring of 2000 I have been contracted numerous times to facilitate/assist in organizational capacity building, evaluations, feasibility/resource research, social marketing and in 2008 while being the Executive Coordinator of the Edmonton Immigrant Men Support Network Society I produced a 75 min. documentary entitled, MACHOS: Journeys of Self Discovery with Immigrant Men – see EIMSNS for details.

I am presently working on my first book of bilingual poetry (English/Spanish) which should be ready for publishing in the fall/winter of 2010. Last, but not least, I am also the proud papa of two wonderful young adults, both in college, Concordia University & NAIT respectively. Looking forward to being of service.

LCA

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TCNG Testimonials

“I have known Leo Campos Aldunez for some time & have always appreciated his unique ability to interact and to engage in interesting & thoughtful conversations. His Infomail Newsletter & Web Board service is a reflection of his values and integrity; a sensible understanding that the common good is vital for any society to function as a whole in a healthy, fair and equitable manner. I thank you for providing such an important/useful service to our community and for making in our city a better place to live.”

Flavio Rojas, Edmonton, AB
Musician & Graphic Designer

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“Leo Campos-Aldunez has been working with non-profit & socially-conscious groups for many years. He is "linked-in" to a large audience of individuals/organizations who are truly interested in social justice, social development and the arts. I subscribe to his newsletter, and on occasion have used it to advertise selective activities; great results.”

 Cathie Crooks 
Sales/Marketing Manager 
University of Alberta Press

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"I immigrated to Canada in 2002. I had no clue how to pursue my career in the Arts; a friend from a local documentary film festival suggested I subscribe to Leo’s Infomail Newsletter. I did & it made me feel immediately connected to the city! Later, I requested a meeting with him as I needed help in preparing for a job interview. We met and he gently guided me through the ways I should be approaching my job interview and the contextual realities of non-profits in Edmonton.

In Leo Campos Aldunez I had found a friend/colleague - a person I could trust & share ideas. In 2008 we collaborated in producing a documentary (MACHOS: Journeys of Self-Discovery with Immigrant Men) exploring immigrant issues specific to men across multi-ethnic communities. I strongly recommend his home-based consulting endeavour in social marketing/media works to anyone interested in being connected to a large community of caring individuals & organizations."

Shabnam Sukhdev
Filmmaker, Producer
New Delhi, India

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“I met Leo Campos Aldunez in the 80’s – when we were both younger and known for standing up to the principles we believe in. Leo is an intellectually stimulating personality who loves to engage in literary & political conversations as well as in taking action on issues of the day. Leo has used his passion and concern for political and social problems of our time to inform the public on community engagement activities which he promotes through his social e-marketing network. He has run this service very responsibly for a number of years. I have used it on many occasions to publicize my professional/volunteer activities and I have never had cause to be disappointed.”

Pearl Bennett, President, Caribbean Women Network
Executive Director, Mill Woods Seniors Activity Centre

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“I know Leo Campos Aldunez to be a man of honour and integrity, with a profound reservoir of compassion. Leo brings a deep understanding of what it takes to nurture the common good, to give voice to the voiceless, to speak & act with ardent passion for the most vulnerable and defenceless among us.”

Satya Das
- Author & Strategic Advisor

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"The services offered by Leo Campos Aldunez & the Community Networks Group are unique and effective, and have become a primary part of my small business network over the past 5 years. Leo is very easy to work with, prompt, personable, thorough, and most importantly for my small business, Leo gets results. My investment in Leo's services is always returned multi-fold. I recommend him to others without hesitation."

Dawn Bissett, Owner
Look for the Rainbow Music

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"I count myself fortunate to have known Leo Campos Aldunez for well over 10 years. What started as a musical collaboration with the band Sticks & Stones back in the mid 1990s, became a valued friendship. I have worked with Leo on a number of endeavours over the years, and he has proven to be a trustworthy partner. In Leo, I've seen, not just creative problem solving, but also creative, respectful, life affirming project initiation, collaborative design and successful completion. I appreciate his commitment to building affinity relationships & productive connections between people. It is healthy relationships that make a healthy community possible, and Leo is really making a mark in Edmonton."

Rod Olstad, Olstad’s Music
- Musician, Researcher & Cultural Producer

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“I have known Leo Campos Aldunez for several years in both personal and professional capacities. He demonstrates great integrity in his work, is a socially responsible and active citizen, and has worked very hard to build networks that empower people to do their work effectively, and to grow as people. One of the pioneers of e-social marketing in our city, I would highly recommend Leo and The Community Networks Group.”

Kieran Leblanc, Executive Director
Book Publishers Association of Alberta

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“I first met Leo 10 years ago as I was launching my company. He graciously offered his services/support, to help us develop an audience at the Cafe. This involved the creation of an intimate Lunch Hour Talk Series, with Leo as Host, and a variety of special guests from around the world sharing their ideas, passions and perspectives on a range of issues. Leo's vast network of friends, business associates and organizations was, and continues to be, instrumental to our success. As I have come to know Leo as a friend, I would describe him as one of the most passionate, expressive and involved people I know, who is thoughtful, caring and truly making a difference in our world. The Community Networks Group is a reflection of this, providing a quality and focussed service that I, without question, highly recommend.”

Karyn Stirling, Owner
Expressionz Cafe – The School of Life

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"I came across your new website the other day and wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your creative and positively engaging approach to challenging as well as enabling others to cultivate healthy communities and networks of relations in Edmonton and beyond. It's honestly a breath of fresh air to come across a website based on a commitment to inclusive dialogue and social action for the benefit of all members of many diverse communities in and around the Capital Region. I look forward to our continued collaboration."

David Long, Professor of Sociology
King’s University College

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