Announcing the 2025 Women Making History in Alberta Nominees

Calgary, AB — Heritage Park is proud to announce the nominees for the 2025 Women Making History in Alberta Awards — a celebration of visionary women who are transforming their fields, uplifting communities and shaping the future of Alberta.

From innovators and entrepreneurs to educators, cultural champions and community advocates, this year’s nominees embody leadership, resilience and impact. The Women Making History Awards honour not only achievement, but the power of representation, mentorship and inclusion.

“These women represent the best of Alberta — bold thinkers, tireless advocates and inspiring leaders,” says Brittany Thompson, Chair of the Heritage Park Society. “Their work today is paving the way for a stronger, more inclusive tomorrow.”

The award recipients will be announced at the 2025 Women Making History in Alberta Awards Luncheon on Friday, June 6, 2025, at Gasoline Alley Museum, Heritage Park. The Emcee for the luncheon will be Christine Dagenais, Founder and CEO of Bright Wire Leadership.

2025 Women Making History Nominees

History Maker in the Making Award

• Mackenzie Brown
  • Executive Advisor, Indigenous Engagement, Glenbow
  • Powerful Indigenous voice for change, bridging cultures through storytelling and advocacy
• Alice Lam
  • Founder Vollyap and Caremyway
  • Dedicated community leader advancing cultural preservation and social equity in Calgary
• Caitlin Quinn
  • Master Distiller and Director of Innovation at Eau Claire Distillery Ltd.
  • A catalyst for excellence and connection — advancing Alberta’s craft distilling with integrity and vision
• Catriona LeMay Doan
  • President and CEO Sport Calgary
  • Olympic legend and champion of inclusive, accessible, and community-driven sport initiatives

Entrepreneurial and Innovator Award

• Ejibola Adetokumbo-Taiwo
  • Founder, de Sedulous Women Leaders
  • Entrepreneur advocate, business coach, and champion for Black women in business
• Elise Ahenkorah
  • Lead Strategist, Inclusion Factor
  • Inclusion strategist shaping cultures that retain talent and elevate performance
• Carla Amthor
  • Carla Amthor – President – Focus on Caring
  • Empowering seniors with dignity, transforming care and accessibility
• Shannon Bowen-Smed
  • Retired Adventurer and Entrepreneur
  • Resilient business leader and compassionate community changemaker
• Lynda Holden
  •  SAIT, Dean, School of Transportation and School of Manufacturing and Automation
  • Aviation leader preparing Calgary’s workforce for the future
• Dr. Kristina Rinker
  • Professor U of C and Chief Scientific Officer and Founder Syantra Inc.
  • Biomedical engineer and entrepreneur advancing science and innovation

The Vera Burns Award

• Dr. Elaine Joughin, MD
  • Retired Pediatric Surgeon and Educator
  • Lifelong educator whose impact spans families, communities, and continents
• Andrea Robertson
  • Corporate Director, Retired Executive Director, Stars Air Ambulance
  • Transformative healthcare and nonprofit leader shaping systems and lives
• Alicia Quesnel
  • Managing Partner, BD&P
  • Trailblazer in energy law and a role model for women in business
• Dr. Diana Monea
  • Optometrist and Owner, Eye Health Centres
  • Visionary optometrist advancing inclusive care and community impact
• Dr. Malinda Smith
  • Professor and Associate Vice-President (Research-EDI) U of C
  • National leader in equity and inclusive excellence, advancing the future of higher
    education

Community Builder Award

• Carina Au
  • CA Law
  • Legal advocate creating access for marginalized Calgarians
• Uyen Nguyen
  • Co-Founder & Executive Director at Synaptic Neuro Rehab Centre
  • Empowering lives through equity, innovation and accessible neuro rehabilitation care
• Marija Pavkovic-Tovissi
  • President – MaKami College
  • Visionary educator and community wellness advocate
• Julie Van Rosendaal
  • Canadian food writer
  • A Passionate community builder using her voice and influence to uplift, connect, and serve with generosity and purpose
• Cheryl Bernard
  • Chief Executive Officer at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
  • Olympic athlete and influential community leader expanding sport education programs that inspire youth across Canada
• Janice McTighe
  • Executive Director · Renfrew Educational Services
  • Education champion for children with disabilities and their families

Event Details

Join Heritage Park in celebrating these remarkable women at a powerful afternoon of storytelling, connection, and inspiration.

• Location: Gasoline Alley Museum, Heritage Park
• Date: Friday, June 6, 2025
• Time: 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Tickets:
  • Single Seat: $125 + GST
  • Table of Eight: $1,250 + GST
  • Table Sponsor: $2,500 + GST (for more information on all sponsorship opportunities, contact Kayla at kmorin@heritagepark.ca)

All proceeds support accessibility to education programs and historical preservation at Heritage Park — ensuring that future generations can continue learning from the past while shaping Alberta’s future.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit heritagepark.ca/events/women-making-history-in-alberta-awards.

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Media Inquiries
Eirin Bernie, Communications & Marketing Manager
Heritage Park Historical Village
ebernie@heritagepark.ca
403.519.3409

About the Award
Since its inception in 2022, the Women Making History in Alberta Awards has honoured influential women whose achievements have had a lasting impact on Alberta. These trailblazers represent a diverse range of fields—education, business, arts, community leadership, social advocacy, and beyond. Each award recipient has not only shaped the present but has also paved the way for future generations of women to lead, innovate, and make a difference. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder of the resilience, vision, and leadership that drive progress in our province.

About Heritage Park Historical Village
Heritage Park Historical Village is one of Canada’s largest living history museums, offering guests immersive, hands-on experiences of Western Canada’s diverse past. Located in Calgary on Treaty 7 territory, Heritage Park has been a cultural and tourism cornerstone since 1964. As a registered charity, Heritage Park preserves and shares history through interactive exhibits, costumed interpreters, historic buildings, antique rides and more. Welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, Heritage Park plays a vital role in Alberta’s tourism economy, prairie heritage preservation and community engagement—making it Canada’s premier family destination where history truly comes alive.