YMM Builders of 2025
Presented by
The Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region continues to grow as a vibrant, diverse, and resilient community, thanks in large part to the remarkable individuals we recognize as YMM Builders.
Each year, YMM Builders are selected for the enduring impact they’ve made and the legacy they continue to shape. Through leadership, service, culture, and community spirit, these individuals have helped influence the development of our region in meaningful and lasting ways.
Now in its seventh year, Your McMurray Magazine is proud to continue this tradition of recognition. The YMM Builders are chosen by the same committee that selects the Top 50 Under 50, made up of community members and the editorial team at Your McMurray Magazine.
This year’s honourees join an esteemed group of past YMM Builders, including John Wilson, Jack “Torchy” Peden, Dave Tuccaro, Eric Newell, Jim Carter, Norm and Sheila Sutton, Julia McDougall, Alan Roberts, Paul and Andrea Spring, Elder Lina Gallup, Elder Robert Cree, Marty and Deninne Gilles, Elder Roy Ladouceur, Rick and Cathy Kirschner, and Frank and Barb Reitz, as well as last year’s honourees, Elder Lorraine Albert and Robert Parmenter.
For 2025, we are proud to celebrate and recognize the contributions of Steve Auty, Ernie & Wendy Desjarlais, and Sandy Grandison, as this year’s YMM Builders. Their dedication, heart, and leadership continue to strengthen the fabric of our community.
The YMM Builders of 2025 will receive an award custom-designed by Fort McMurray artist Liana Wheeldon. Each award reflects the individual they are celebrating and features representations of the unique, important legacy that the recipients have given to our region. The awards created for the YMM Builders 2025 are construction bricks with images created in pastel, ink, graphite, and embellished with gold leaf. Bricks represent the solid foundation, strength of spirit, and weighty contribution made by The YMM Builders.
Bricks represent the solid foundation, strength of spirit, and weighty contribution made by the YMM Builders.
“This year’s Builders are recognized for their passion to support the collective Wood Buffalo community. Their empathy, vitality, courage, and inner strength served as inspiration for the awards, reflected in the choice of the Red Wing Blackbird and the Grey Wolf for the imagery, animals thought to embody transformation, loyalty, and guidance.
My work often utilizes the natural world to symbolize the recipients and the qualities which single them out for recognition.”
—Liana Wheeldon, artist
See more of Liana’s art: www.lianawheeldon.com / @LMW_art
Celebrating our Top 50 Under 50 is made possible with the support from our incredible community partners
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Builders Program Partner of the 2025 Top 50 Under 50
Builders Program Partner of the 2025 Top 50 Under 50
Builders Program Partner of the 2025 Top 50 Under 50
Builders Program Partner of the 2025 Top 50 Under 50
