Dean Kurpjuweit

Bob Brown

Edmonton’s Downtown Enrichers

Edmonton City Centre is proud to be collaborator within Edmonton’s downtown. As the largest group of retailers (80+ stores) and businesses tenants (TD Tower, 102A Tower, Centre Point Place) we are passionate about all of downtown; the people, residents, businesses, workers, commuters, shoppers, tourists. This series is our way of reflecting on some of the people that are making a difference in your downtown and enriching the community with the work they do. We hope you enjoy the series.

DEAN KURPJUWEIT

Dean is a lifelong Edmontonian whose career focus has been social justice. Dean is a University of Alberta alumni having graduated with a Bachelor of Education. More recently, he has accomplished a Master of Arts in Christian Studies from Ambrose University. Not only has Dean completed the Arrow Leadership program, focusing on leadership development, but he also serves on a number of local committees and boards. In 2017, Dean was a Canada 150 Commemoration recipient and recognized for his outstanding contributions to the community.

Now in his sixth year at The Mustard Seed, under Dean’s management, the organization has quadrupled its services throughout Edmonton.

Interview questions

  1. Are you from Edmonton or what brought you here?

Our family moved from Medicine Hat when I was 2 and other than teaching in Rocky Mountain House I have always been a part of the Edmonton community.

  1. If you couldn’t live in Edmonton, where would you live?

As winter approaches its natural to think of the “S’s” …sun…sand…sea. But the truth is our family could never replicate what we have here. The deep roots, the connection, the network of family and friends that are a part of our lives.

  1. What excites you about Edmonton’s downtown?

The diversity of restaurants, markets and activities is really exciting. So many unique Mom & Pop family-owned businesses. Developments like Rogers place and the Ice District show how developers are investing in Edmonton’s downtown. On the social side I think there has been an awakening in Edmonton of physical and psychological needs of our vulnerable community.

  1. Tell us about the work you have done with Edmonton City Centre?

The Season of Giving campaign last year was a terrific way for us to collaborate with Edmonton City Centre, the largest physical space in downtown. It helped both organizations raise the level of awareness and demonstrated Edmonton’s capacity to share all we have.