The Original Modern Moai
our story
We are a group of women in Calgary, Canada, who each felt that our busy lives – although fabulous in many ways – still left us craving meaningful connection and a deeper sense of belonging.
We decided to create a Modern Moai and committed to meeting each other once a month for coffee & conversation.
We went from “friends who saw each other sometimes” to “these are my people.” In fact, it transformed our loneliness instantaneously!
The experience was so impactful for us we wanted everyone to experience the power of a Modern Moai for themselves...
So we created Modern Moai
Meet The Original Modern Moai Members
Kristie
Kristie
Kristie
Kristie is a dynamic facilitator who works in Leadership Development at a post-secondary institution and is always looking for ways to create belonging and connection.
She is the mom of two teen girls, loves the mountains and aspires to find more time to work on her very amateur acrylic painting skills.
Kelly
Kristie
Kristie
Kelly is an accredited business communicator with 30 years' experience in communications, marketing, and project management. Given her Okinawan roots, Kelly was inspired to join Kristie in building Modern Moai.
Passionate about giving back, Kelly has received multiple awards for her volunteer work with Muscular Dystrophy Canada. She enjoys singing, writing and traveling.
Frances
Kristie
Frances
Frances has worked in higher education for over 10 years leading work-integrated learning and leadership development programs.
Being an adventurer-at-heart, Frances enjoys exploring Alberta and
meeting “the locals” and learning about their history and stories.
Tabetha
Kristie
Frances
Tabetha is a sales and business development professional. She has in-depth training in leadership and a passion for supporting people in expanding their health and well-being through plant medicine and ontological methods. She also has a love for Italian culture and cuisine.
origins of the moai
Originating from Okinawa, Japan, Moai means: “meeting for a common purpose”, where people create deep, meaningful, lifelong friendships through regular social connection.
Researchers believe the Moai tradition has contributed to the longevity of Okinawans and the high number of centenarians that can be found there as featured in Dan Buettner's Netflix series The Secrets of the Blue Zones.