The Rotary Club of Edmonton gathers nearly every week for lunch at the Chateau Lacombe, and with that rhythm comes an extraordinary parade of guests — leaders, thinkers, and change-makers who share their stories, their expertise, and their perspectives on the issues shaping our city, our province, and our world. Here is a look at the speakers who have joined us so far this year.
January 5 — Senator Paula Simons
"Why You Think You Hate the Senate, and Why You Should Think Again"
We opened the year with one of Alberta's most distinctive voices: the Honourable Paula Simons, Independent Senator for Alberta. Before her appointment to the Senate of Canada in 2018, Senator Simons spent over two decades as an award-winning political columnist and investigative journalist with the Edmonton Journal, earning two National Newspaper Awards along the way. In her remarks to the club, she made a compelling case for why an independent, non-partisan Senate matters now more than ever — in a political landscape that can feel increasingly turbulent and polarized. For those who have dismissed the upper chamber as irrelevant, Senator Simons offered a persuasive counter-argument: that independent senators, accountable to no party, may be exactly what a healthy democracy needs.
January 12 — Aurelio Fernandes
Bilateral Trade Between Alberta and Portugal
Aurelio Fernandes, Honorary Consul of Portugal in Edmonton, joined us to explore the growing economic relationship between Alberta and Portugal. It is a connection that many Edmontonians may not immediately think of, but one with real substance — rooted in trade, cultural ties, and a shared interest in energy and natural resources. Mr. Fernandes highlighted the opportunities that exist for deepening bilateral commerce and investment, and the role that consular networks play in building those bridges between communities and economies.
February 2 — Dr. Michael Mahon
Role and Impact of Alberta Innovates for Alberta
Dr. Michael Mahon, CEO of Alberta Innovates, gave members an inside look at one of the province's most important engines of research and innovation. With over 35 years of experience in Alberta's post-secondary and research sectors — including 13 years as President of the University of Lethbridge and a decade as Dean at the University of Alberta — Dr. Mahon brings exceptional depth to his role. Alberta Innovates is the province's cross-sectoral research and innovation agency, and under Dr. Mahon's leadership, its mission has shifted from building an innovation ecosystem from the ground up to harnessing and accelerating the vibrant ecosystem that already exists. With Alberta's tech sector contributing some $13 billion to provincial GDP, the stakes are high — and the opportunities, Dr. Mahon made clear, are considerable.
February 9 — Richard Ireland
"Reflections and Learnings from the Jasper Wildfire"
Few presentations this year carried more personal weight than this one. Richard Ireland, Mayor of the Municipality of Jasper, spoke to us about the devastating wildfire that swept through his town in July 2024 — the worst in Jasper National Park's history. The fire destroyed roughly one-third of the townsite's structures, displacing thousands of residents and visitors. Mayor Ireland, who lost his own family home in the blaze, reflected with remarkable composure and clarity on the emergency response, the lessons learned, and the extraordinary resilience his community has demonstrated. His message was one of hard-won optimism: Jasper is rebuilding, welcoming visitors, and determined to come back stronger. It was a sobering and deeply moving reminder of what community leadership looks like under pressure.
February 23 — Emmanuel Onah
Timbuktu Innovation Hub and REACH Edmonton
In recognition of Black History Month, we were honoured to welcome Emmanuel Onah, Co-founder of the Timbuktu Innovation Hub and a Director of Community Initiatives at REACH Edmonton. Drawing inspiration from the ancient city of Timbuktu — once a global beacon of scholarship, trade, and human achievement — the Hub opened on Alberta Avenue in 2025 as a purpose-built space to empower youth of African descent through entrepreneurship, digital innovation, mentorship, and leadership programming. Mr. Onah, who came to Canada as a refugee from Nigeria, shared the story of the Hub's founding through years of grassroots community work, and his vision for what it can mean for the next generation of Black Edmontonians. It was a presentation that captured the spirit of what community-building can look like when it is rooted in culture, identity, and belonging.
March 2 — Jason Schilling
Alberta Teachers Association
Jason Schilling, President of the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA), offered members a frank look at the state of public education in Alberta. Representing more than 51,000 teachers across the province, Schilling has been a persistent and prominent voice on issues including overcrowded classrooms, chronic underfunding, and the ongoing tensions between the teaching profession and provincial government over curriculum and working conditions. A former English and drama teacher himself, Schilling brought both passion and pragmatism to the conversation, reminding us that what happens in Alberta's classrooms matters deeply to every family, every community, and the long-term health of our province.
March 16 — Mark Emsden
How BCMB Regulates the Number One Beverage Container Recycling System in Canada
Mark Emsden, President and CEO of the Beverage Container Management Board (BCMB), made a strong case for something Albertans tend to take for granted: our bottle depot system. The BCMB oversees what is widely regarded as the best beverage container recycling program in Canada — a not-for-profit regulatory body that manages collection and recycling across more than 200 depots province-wide. Mr. Emsden, who brings a background in law enforcement and compliance to the role, walked members through how the system works, the challenges of keeping it innovative and accessible in rural communities, and the ongoing push toward a more circular economy. It is a homegrown Alberta success story worth celebrating.
March 23 — Heidi Hadubiak
"The Golden Years — Are Alberta Seniors Getting Bronze Medal Treatment?"
Heidi Hadubiak, CEO of the Canterbury Foundation, brought a passionate and thought-provoking perspective on the state of seniors' care in Alberta. With a background in nursing and an Executive MBA, Hadubiak has led Canterbury — one of Edmonton's foremost seniors' living communities — since 2018, championing a model of care built on dignity, purpose, and genuine human connection. Her presentation challenged us to ask whether Alberta's seniors are truly receiving the care and respect they deserve, or whether systemic pressures are leaving them with something less. Canterbury's own approach — from its innovative memory care programming to its partnership with the Edmonton Public Library — offers a compelling vision for what purposeful senior living can look like.
March 30 — Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor Hall
Canadian Presence in Latvia and What the Proximity to Russia Meant
Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor Hall offered members a rare first-hand perspective on one of Canada's most strategically significant military commitments. Canada is the framework nation for NATO's Multinational Brigade in Latvia — its largest current overseas military mission — with approximately 2,000 Canadian Armed Forces personnel deployed as part of Operation Reassurance. LCol Hall spoke candidly about what proximity to Russia means in day-to-day terms: the heightened readiness, the integration of troops from over a dozen NATO nations, and the weight of serving on NATO's eastern flank at a moment of acute global tension. It was a sobering and informative look at the work our men and women in uniform are doing far from home.
April 13 — Chris Morris
The Thompson Family & Elks Vision for Building Community and Football in Edmonton
Chris Morris, President and CEO of the Edmonton Elks, brought energy and optimism to our lunch table as he outlined his vision for the future of Edmonton's CFL franchise. Morris himself is a storied part of that history — a three-time Grey Cup champion as an offensive lineman with Edmonton from 1992 to 2005, who went on to become a teacher, a school principal, and the head coach of the University of Alberta Golden Bears football program. When the Elks transitioned from community to private ownership under the late Larry Thompson in 2024, Morris was tapped to lead the organization. He spoke movingly about building a culture of stability and excellence, and about what the Elks mean to Edmonton and Northern Alberta — not just as a football team, but as a community institution.
April 27 — Catherine Rothrock
"Alberta's Economic Outlook: Weathering the Challenges"
We wrapped up our spring speaker season with Catherine Rothrock, Chief Economist for the Government of Alberta. With over 15 years of experience analyzing Alberta's economy and a deep expertise in the energy sector, Rothrock provided members with a clear-eyed assessment of where the province stands amid significant global uncertainty. Alberta's economy has shown considerable resilience in the face of U.S. tariffs, she noted, in part due to the province's energy strengths and its growing economic diversification. But new risks have emerged — from weakening oil prices to labour market pressures — and navigating them will require continued vigilance and adaptability. It was a timely and grounding conversation as Rotarians and business leaders think ahead to the months to come.
The Rotary Club of Edmonton meets nearly every week for lunch at the Chateau Lacombe. We are always looking for speakers who reflect the diversity of thought, expertise, and experience that makes our community great. If you are interested in joining us or learning more about our club, we would love to hear from you.