Authors
These are the people currently writing for Your Alberta Blog. And, we're hoping to engage Albertans across the public service as we learn and grow Your Alberta Blog.
Office of the Premier
Premier Ed Stelmach and staff
While the Premier was in the United Arab Emirates in January 2010, he and his staff blogged about the mission and the World Summit.
Government Ministers
Hon. Heather Klimchuk
Heather Klimchuk is the Minister of Service Alberta and a native Edmontonian. She is a former speech writer for Premier Lougheed and Premier Getty, and a past director at two Ukrainian dance schools. Her responsibilities as Minister include registries, consumer protection, land titles, the Alberta SuperNet, and government-wide services. Besides representing the Edmonton-Glenora constituency, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and two teenage children.
Alberta Plaza Bloggers
During the Olympic Games, Alberta Plaza Bloggers will be posting updates from Alberta Plaza on the corner of Beatty and Robson.
- Donna Babchishin
- Mike Berezowsky is assistant director of communications at Service Alberta. He is a native Edmontonian, former journalist and has also worked in communications for Alberta Finance and Alberta Energy. He has a deep love of music and literature, and is a confessed wine geek.
- Katrina Bluetchen
- Jason Cobb is currently Assistant Communications Director at Alberta Environment. The portfolio's a good fit for him, given his passion for the outdoors as an avid climber and mountaineer. When he's not tracking issues or fielding calls from the media, he keeps fit for climbing by trying to keep up with his firecracker offspring.
- Robyn Cochrane
- Dan Huang is part of the communications team at Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation. He provides communications support to the sport and recreation program area as well as the Alberta Olympic and Paralympic Secretariat. In his spare time, Dan hangs out with his wife and two kids, and enjoys favourite pastimes such as golf, music, cooking and the wonderful world of sciuridae (squirrels).
- Donna McColl is a member of the communications team at Alberta Housing and Urban Affairs, which offers one of the most comprehensive social housing programs in Canada. When not helping Albertans understand what their government is doing for them she spends as much time as possible in outdoor pursuits, including alpine skiing and ice climbing. She serves on the board of Edmonton’s Snow Valley ski, snowboard and campground resort and is the mother of three alpine racers/instructors/coaches.
- Tom Olsen is part of the Government of Alberta communications team heading to Vancouver for the Winter Olympics 2010. Tom spent the last three years working as media relations director to Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, and before that spent 20 years in newspapers – most recently as the political affairs columnist for the Calgary Herald. When he’s not working, Tom spends a lot of time with his two kids, plays in a band, and loves to mountain bike.
- Annie Re
- Carolyn Stuparyk
- Nikki Van Dusen
- Fiona Wiseman
Fiona is an employee of the Public Affairs Bureau, currently Assistant Director of Communications for Employment and Immigration.
Government of Alberta Employees
Olga Guthrie
Alberta-born and raised, Olga Guthrie has several years of communications expertise in both for- and not-for-profit organizations. When not managing the Alberta brand initiative for the Public Affairs Bureau, she's hanging out with her husband and kids or working on her masters degree in communications and technology.
David Sands
Your Alberta Blog moderator is David Sands, an employee of the Public Affairs Bureau. David is a native Edmontonian and former journalist, a former Research Analyst for the Official Opposition and has held PAB secondments in Alberta Finance and the Premier's Communications Office.
Nikki Van Dusen
Nikki Van Dusen is also an employee of the Public Affairs Bureau, heading its internet communications team. Having been webmaster for several University of Alberta websites, Nikki loves all things social media. She is currently completing her masters in communications and technology, examining how English-only information websites can improve their content for multi-cultural audiences.
Ministry staff and guest authors
Education
- Kathy Telfer is the Communications Director at Alberta Education. Kathy is a member of the project team for Inspiring Education: A Dialogue with Albertans.
Employment and Immigration
- Jennifer Raimundo is a marketing manager in Alberta Employment and Immigration’s Immigration Division. She works on projects related to foreign qualifications recognition, IQAS and welcoming newcomers.
Environment
- Trevor Gemmell is part of the communications team at Alberta Environment. He provides communications support for a number of areas including the Too Good to Waste strategy and the energy efficiency, energy production and Greening Government components of Environment’s work on climate change.
- Natasha McKenzie is part of the Alberta Environment communications team. She provides communications support and advice to the Alberta Conservation Team to increase awareness of One Simple Act across Alberta and government.
- Jessica Potter is part of the Alberta Environment Communications team. As the team's resident web communications expert and internal support, she is involved in actively promoting effective use of web opportunities, including web writing and the adoption of social media tools. She's a reader, a writer and a veteran karaoke singer, known to belt out only the best 70s rock.
- Andy Ridge is the Director of the Climate Change Secretariat. He has worked on the provincial and national climate change policy for over 10 years, including a leading role in the development of the provincial climate change strategy and associated legislation.
Finance and Enterprise
- Kari-Ann Kuperis handles media and public inquiries for Alberta Finance and Enterprise. As Budget 2009 is released, she explains the Community Spirit Program and the Charitable Donation Tax Credit.
Health and Wellness
- John Tuckwell is a member of the Communications team at Health and Wellness. He works very closely with the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Justice and Attorney General
- Carla Kolke is a member of the Communications team and Justice at Attorney General. Alberta Justice is one of the lead Ministries of the Safe Communities Initiative.
Solicitor General and Public Security
- Brian Mulawka is a member of the Communications team at Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security. He works in a number of areas, including special projects, public security and correctional services. He is a native Edmontonian who grew up watching and loving hockey, football, and just about every other sport that could be played or watched - although he turned out to be much better at watching than at playing.
Tourism, Parks, and Recreation
- Dan Huang is part of the communications team at Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation. He provides communications support to the sport and recreation program area as well as the Alberta Olympic and Paralympic Secretariat. In his spare time, Dan hangs out with his wife and two kids, and enjoys favourite pastimes such as golf, music, cooking and the wonderful world of sciuridae (squirrels).
