Class of 2016
INTRODUCING 2016’S TOP 50 UNDER 50!
2016 will go down in the history books as one of the hardest in Fort McMurray history due to the tragic wildfire that attacked our region in May. However, we also believe that it will also be remembered as one of the best. The best because of the people who stepped up and who showcased what we knew all along - the best people in Canada live in Wood Buffalo. The thing is - this was true before the fires. Yes, the fires helped bring to light new leaders and new inspirational figures, but our team thought it would be a good idea to start a new program that recognized some of our region’s finest. The group of people on this list, would all be on this list pre-fire and we did that on purpose. It was important to us to highlight people who are making a difference and have been doing it all along and who also did their part to help during the fires and this long recovery period we’re all facing.
We know that there are countless others who could have made this list, and we know that everyone will not agree with our choices. But we do hope you’ll understand and respect all the hardworking, passionate community leaders who did make the list. On this list, you’ll find a lot of diverse people, who come from so many different backgrounds, cultures and ways of life. What they all have in common is their love for our city and region.
Join us as we celebrate all 50 Top 50 Under 50 recipients (well actually 54, since we cheated and named four “Power Couples”) - all of whom are incredibly extraordinary people. We celebrate their accomplishments, dreams and passion for making this part of the world, Fort McMurray and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the very best it can be.
Please note that this list is not ranked and all recipients are listed in alphabetical order.
COME ALONG WITH US AND MEET THIS YEAR’S TOP 50 UNDER 50!
Mitch Mercredi
Business Development Manager, Acden
Michelle Thorne
Theatre Artist (Director, Producer, Performer, Educator)
Adam Hardiman
Communications/Public Affairs
Alexis Foster
Executive Director, Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce
Amanda & Chad Gergely
Starter (entrepreneur) & Acupuncturist, Doula, Athletic Trainer
Ana Maria Mendez-Banks
Art Administrator
Arianna Johnson
Executive Director, Wood Buffalo Food Bank
Ben Gill & Margaret Ziolecki
Commercial Banker / External Relations Advisor
Brendan Toner
Vice Principal, Father Mercredi Community High School
Bryce Kumka
Insurance Broker
Chantal Beaver
Executive Director, The Hub Family Resource Centre
Colin Hartigan
Real Estate Broker; owner of Coldwell Banker Fort McMurray
Corie Flett
Lawyer, Cooper & Company
Dan Tulk
Vice Principal, Westwood Community High School
Dawn Booth
Newspaper Editor, Connect Weekly Newspaper
Deanne Bergey
Senior Executive Assistant, Office of the Mayor
Don Scott
Lawyer
Elena Gould
Indigenous Relations
Erin Schwab
Art & Design Instructor, Keyano College
Hanna Fridhed
Resource Development Coordinator, The United Way of Fort McMurray
Jay Telegdi
Government Relations Manager, McMurray Métis
Jeanette Bancarz
Community Branch Manager for ATB Financial
Jeff Peddle & Maxine Willocks
Management
Jerry Neville & Jen Pick-Neville
Jerry: Public Affairs Advisor & co-owner, Neville Video Productions; Jen: Procurement Clerk & co-owner, Neville Video Productions
Jesse Meyer
Associate Vice President, Commercial, YMM Airport
Joanne Angel
Executive Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Wood Buffalo
Jodie Cooper
Director, Sport and Recreation, Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo
John Knox
Program and Promotions Director, Country 93.3 and 97.9 ROCK
Kelli Stewart
Dance Educator & Choreographer
Ken & Christina Bowie
Executive Chef, Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo
Kiran Malik-Khan
Communications Professional/Journalist/Writer
Maggie Farrington
Chief Executive Officer, Athabasca Tribal Council
Marty Giles
Owner, Northstar Ford Group
Melanie Ference
Business Owner, Chocolates & Candlelight
Nelson Barbosa
Senior Financial Advisor, ATB Investor Services
Nicole Bourque-Bouchier
CEO & Business Owner, The Bouchier Group
Nicole Greville
Community Services Librarian, Wood Buffalo Regional Library
Paul McWilliams
Community Branch Manager, Servus Credit Union
Pete Potipcoe
Radio Broadcaster
Rob Martin
General Manager, Canadian Tire & Canada's Outdoor Store
Ron Quintal
President, Fort McKay Métis
Scott Germain
Firefighter/EMT, Fort McMurray Fire Department
Sheryl Scott
Realtor
Sithara Fernando
Wildlife Biologist & Photographer, Suncor Energy
Stella Lavallee-Kreutzer
Community Relations Advisor, Willow Lake Métis Local 780
Tara Clarke
Executive Director, Fort McMurray SPCA
Wade Kolmel
Director of Sport & Student Wellness, Keyano College
Melissa Blake
Mayor, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
Michael Mankowski
Filmmaker
Celebrating our Top 50 Under 50 is made possible with the support from our incredible community partners
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Casman, Builders Program Partner of the 2016 Top 50 Under 50
Neville, Builders Program Partner of the 2016 Top 50 Under 50
Amie Roberts, Builders Program Partner of the 2016 Top 50 Under 50
Balsom, Builders Program Partner of the 2016 Top 50 Under 50
Liam, Builders Program Partner of the 2016 Top 50 Under 50
Hines Health, Builders Program Partner of the 2016 Top 50 Under 50
Fuse Social, Builders Program Partner of the 2016 Top 50 Under 50
Leadership Wood Buffalo, Builders Program Partner of the 2016 Top 50 Under 50
Aluma Safway, Builders Program Partner of the 2016 Top 50 Under 50
Heritage Society, Builders Program Partner of the 2016 Top 50 Under 50
