The Honourable Jason Kenney recently completed a distinguished twenty-five year career in public service. In his twenties he built the Canadian Taxpayers Federation into one of Canada's most influential advocacy groups, serving as its President and CEO. He was elected to Parliament in 1997, and was re-elected six times with an average of 76% of the vote. He served in key opposition roles, including Shadow Finance Minister. As a senior member of the Harper government, he led some of the largest federal departments as Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism; Minister of Employment and Social Development; and Minister of National Defence, while chairing the influential Cabinet Operations Committee. The National Post called him "perhaps Canada's best immigration minister, ever." In 2016 Jason launched a successful campaign to unite Alberta’s free enterprise parties, going on to win a landslide majority to become Alberta’s eighteenth Premier. His government focused on the successful renewal of Alberta’s economy, while working with Indigenous people to create economic opportunity. Jason holds two honourary doctorates and was voted "best overall parliamentarian" by his colleagues. He now serves as a Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones LLP, and BMO, is a Senior Fellow of the C.D. Howe Institute, and is a member of several corporate boards.

As Vice President & Chief Economist at ATB Financial, Mark leads a dynamic team focused on providing insightful commentary and strategic economic outlooks. He brings over two decades of senior economic and leadership experience in both the private and public sectors. A trusted authority in the field, Mark is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and a regular contributor to media discussions on economic trends. He holds his Master's degree in Economics from the University of Alberta and serves on the board of directors at Nordiq Canada.

Jeromy Farkas is the 38th mayor of Calgary.

Mayor Farkas was born and raised in East Calgary to parents wanting to build a great Canadian life for their family. Growing up, he worked in fast food and on the factory line in Forest Lawn, Marlborough, and Ogden before getting a degree in political science from the University of Calgary. At UCalgary, he also worked as the Executive Administrator for the Israel Studies Program and as a Research Team Lead in the Faculty of Medicine.

In 2017, he was elected as one of Calgary’s youngest city councillors. During his term, he championed public transparency, financial responsibility, and community safety. As Councillor, he also served as a Calgary Police commissioner and director of the Calgary Housing Company. Four years later, he ran for mayor, coming in second place.

In 2022, he hiked the 4,300-kilometer Pacific Crest Trail from the Mexico border to Canada to fundraise over $225,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters Calgary. A year later, he hiked 25 Rocky Mountains in 25 days to raise over $43,000 for The Alex Community Health Centre. He has since served as a non-profit director, community volunteer, and CEO of Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation–a role he held until earlier this year when he resigned to commit to his run for mayor.

Today, Mayor Farkas, along with your City Council, is committed to making Calgary a great place to make a living and a great place to make a life.

Brad Parry was appointed President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development (CED) in 2022, following two years as Vice-President of Marketing and Communications.

With over two decades of leadership roles across industries that span public, private, startup and not-for-profit organizations, Brad has a strong track record of driving high performing teams by leading with integrity and compassion, and creating a culture of accountability, teamwork and collaboration.
 
Previous to his leadership roles at CED, Brad held executive positions for companies, including CEO and Founder of Atlarge Consulting, a consultancy focused on marketing, communications, operations, strategy, commercialization, and revenue generation
for technology, media and venture capital companies; Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Intertainment Media; and Vice President of Marketing at E! Television Network. 

With a strong foundation in marketing, communications, labour, investor, stakeholder and government relations, Brad has built a reputation for being a strategic and analytical leader known for building inclusive organizational cultures that are data-centric and focused on growing revenue, spearheading digital and technology transformation and driving innovation.

A passionate, strategic and analytical thinker with a penchant for getting things done, Brad has led and acted as a key advisor to small, medium and large-scale operations.

In addition to leading the team at CED and serving on the Board of Directors, Brad is also the CEO of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund. He is also a former Board member and advisor to Data for Good, a national volunteer organization that focuses on supporting their communities through the use of data.   

In January 2023, Brad was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee medal in recognition of his track record of leadership and contributions to the province. 

Geraldine (Geri) Anderson is the Vice President of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications at Calgary Economic Development.

Over her 15-year career, Geri has earned a reputation for excellence in communications and policy advocacy in both the private and public sector. Most recently, she was with the Government of Canada as Director, Communications for the Office of the Minister and Special Representative for the Prairies, where she advocated for Alberta and ensured its perspective had a seat at the national table.

Geri was Director, Policy & Communications for the Calgary Chamber from 2019 to 2021. Prior to the Chamber, she held senior roles in communications, government and stakeholder relations and public affairs with TD Bank Group, Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and Navigator Ltd.

Geri earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and a Master of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).

After growing up in the Middle East and Toronto, Geri chose to make Calgary home in 2010. She is passionate about championing women in both the workplace and politics and wants to ensure her city is the kind of place that welcomes new perspectives and the people who bring them to the table.

Megan is a born and raised Calgarian and passionate champion for Calgary, the Blue Sky City. Recognized as part of the Avenue Calgary, Top 40 Under 40 class, she is proud to be part of a community helping to shape Calgary’s diverse, prosperous and unexpected future.

Megan and her team position Calgary for economic growth through the expansion and attraction of companies, capital and talent. She has worked in economic development for almost two decades in leadership roles across marketing, communications, business development and trade. Megan loves to share to share the unexpected story of Calgary with everyone she meets.

Megan is a University of Calgary alumni and prior to joining Calgary Economic Development, worked with the Canadian Alpine Ski Team including at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.