Speakers
Scott Messenger
Editor, techlifetoday
In addition to editing techlifetoday, NAIT’s online magazine, Scott Messenger has written about a variety of subjects for magazines and newspapers across Canada, in the U.S. and the U.K. His first book, Tapping the West, an account of the origins and growth of Alberta’s craft beer industry, was published in 2020. He lives just outside of Edmonton with his wife, two young daughters, a pair of dogs who were recently discovered to be cousins, and a black lionhead rabbit named Bun-bun.
Taylor Braat
Reporter/Producer, CBC
Freelance
Taylor Braat is a reporter and news producer in Calgary, Alberta. She is a multi-platform storyteller, having worked in radio, print, and TV newsrooms across the prairies in several dynamic roles. She has worked for Postmedia, Global News, CityNews, and CBC News. Taylor has a passion for connection, the driving factor behind her love of journalism
Tom Gazzola
Host, Edmonton Sports Talk
Tom Gazzola covers the Oilers on a daily basis. Over the course of his career he has built strong relationships inside the locker room and at the hockey operations level. You can catch Tom hosting the Oil Stream Pre & Post-Game show and Hello Hockey. He is also an Edmonton Correspondent for NHL Network. Gazzola is a graduate of the Radio & Television Arts program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Danielle paradis
journalist, writer, educator
Danielle is a Métis writer, journalist, editor, educator, and podcaster who lives in Treaty 6 (Edmonton, Alberta). She has written for both local and international audiences. You can read (or hear) her work at Canadaland, Chatelaine, Toronto Star (Edmonton), Gig City, BUSTLE, Canadian True Crime Podcast, The Sprawl and APTN News. Danielle covers politics, arts and culture, and Indigenous Issues.
Ishita Verma
Associate producer, cbc
Ishita Verma is an associate producer for CBC Edmonton, focusing on local and diverse voices in the city. She graduated from MacEwan University in 2020.
omar mouallem
freelance journalist, author, writer
Omar Mouallem’s writing has appeared in dozens of titles across the globe, including WIRED, Rolling Stone, and >Maclean’s. His stories have been recognized by the National Magazine Awards, Best American Science and Nature Writing, and the Mindset Award for Workplace Mental Health Reporting. In addition to writing, Omar co-founded two magazines, consulted on titles, and hosted the Alberta Magazines podcast. In 2022, he received an Emerging Artist Award from the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.
Shelby Blackley
Newsroom seo editor, the athletic
Co-founder, WTF is SEO?
Shelby is award-winning journalist, digital marketer and communicator with more than 12 years experience. She works as the newsroom SEO editor for The Athletic, and is the co-founder of the “WTF is SEO?” newsletter.
jason markusoff
producer and writer, cbc
Jason Markusoff analyzes what’s happening — and what isn’t happening, but probably should be — in Calgary, Alberta and sometimes farther afield. He’s written in Alberta for more than two decades, previously reporting for Maclean’s magazine, Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal. He appears regularly on Power and Politics’ Power Panel and various other CBC current affairs shows.
Sherece Burma
Graphic Designer, NAITSA
A MacEwan University alumni, Sherece Burma has over a decade of experience as a graphic designer, contributing her skills in both in-house and agency settings in Canada and New Zealand. Notably, Sherece was part of a team that won two ACE awards in 2016 for the APPI Planner’s Guide to Edmonton. Currently, Sherece dedicates her creative energy to the NAIT Students’ Association, shaping the organization’s brand identity and producing dynamic work across a variety of mediums. She thrives on curiosity and collaboration, and is most proud of the designers she has mentored over the years.
Morgan Black
Digital Journalist, global edmonton
Morgan Black is a multi-platform journalist with nearly 10 years of experience covering daily news in Alberta. Her work for Global Edmonton includes Pope Francis’ historic apology to survivors of Canada’s residential schools, the shooting deaths of two Edmonton police officers and multi-day coverage on wildfires across Alberta. In 2019, she was honoured with a national RTDNA award for her large-market feature piece “A Love Story Worth Listening To.” In 2021, Morgan was a Canadian Association of Journalists award finalist in the “Best Broadcast Under Five Minutes” category.
John Sutherland
Manager, Mawji centre for new venture & student entrepreneurship
John Sutherland has over 15 years of experience in sales and marketing roles working in industries such as professional sports, advertising, and post-secondary. John believes in a client-centric approach and establishing oneself as a trusted advisor leading to deep business relationships and ongoing business and career development opportunities.
Jessie WILMS
SEO Editor, The Guardian us
CO-FOUNDER, WTF IS SEO?
Jessie Willms is the SEO editor for The Guardian US and co-founder of WTF is SEO?, a newsletter that helps publishers do search better. In a career that has included stints as an infographic designer, interactive web developer, audience and SEO, her mission has been to provide readers necessary clarity and context on the complex issues making headlines. She previously worked at The Globe and Mail, CBC and The Toronto Star. She’s a proud CUP (former Ontario regional rep and chair of the board) and Fulcrum alum.
Scott Lilwall
Science Communicator, amii
After graduating with a Bachelors of Psychology from the University of Alberta, he got his start—almost accidentally—at a radio station in Edmonton. A couple years later, he packed up and headed to the east coast to attend journalism school in Halifax. Since then, he has worked as a digital and radio reporter for outlets such as the Globe and Mail and CBC News as well as making documentaries for CBC Radio. After a stint writing and making podcasts at the Banff Centre and CKUA Radio Network, he struck off on his own as a freelance journalist to focus more on science reporting.
Ryan Jackson
Founder, Full Circle Visuals
Jackson has worked at various publications across Canada including the Edmonton Journal, where he was senior multimedia photojournalist for nine years. His reportage from the field has brought to life stories from remote Arctic communities such as Tuktoyaktuk and Cambridge Bay, and vivid portrayals of military training while embedded with the Canadian Forces in Yellowknife. After innovating 360 degree video for more than five years, Jackson founded Full Circle Visuals Inc. in 2016 to pursue visual storytelling in new formats including VR and dome projection.
Andrew paul
marketing & communications associate, edmonton community foundation
Andrew Paul is an award-winning writer and podcaster with 20 years of experience in journalism and non-profit communications. As a Marketing & Communications Associate at Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF), Andrew oversees the production of the Foundation’s award-winning Legacy in Action magazine and co-produces ECF’s national award-winning The Well-Endowed Podcast. In 2021, he was selected as one of Edify magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 for his work in Edmonton’s storytelling community.
Nahreman Issa
Reporter/weekend anchor, CTV edmonton
Stephanie Swensrude
curator/reporter, Taproot edmonton
Stephanie is a curator and reporter at Taproot Edmonton. She is a proud NAIT alumni and worked at the NAIT Nugget as assistant entertainment editor, video journalist and news editor. She is passionate about student papers and thinks they are essential for young journalists to learn the basics and get bylines before graduating. Stephanie has worked at CBC, CFJC in Kamloops, and 630 CHED in Edmonton. When not reporting, you can find Stephanie roller skating, knitting, playing video games, baking, or chilling with her two adorable cats Juno and Pepper.
Karen Unland
co-founder and coo, Taproot publishing
Karen Unland is co-founder and COO of Taproot Publishing, a local media organization whose flagship publication, Taproot Edmonton, has been informing and connecting Edmontonians since 2017. She was editor-in-chief of The Gateway in 1992-93, earned a master’s degree in journalism at Carleton, then worked in newspapers for 15 years before leaving the Edmonton Journal for entrepreneurial pursuits.
Alison Tedford Seaweed
Indigenous relations consultant
Alison Tedford Seaweed is an author and storyteller whose work focuses on sharing the experiences of Indigenous people and communities. Her work has been published by outlets such as the Walrus, Broadview Magazine, Al Jazeera, CBC and by universities, corporations and nonprofits looking to share about their partnerships, collaborations and initiatives relating to Indigenous people. She is the author of a number of business and educational books including The Canadian Business Owner’s Guide to Reconciliation.
Ciara Yaschuk
Weather specialist, Global News
Ciara Yaschuk joined Global Edmonton in June 2021 as the new Community Reporter, after spending three years reporting and filling in for weather and anchoring the morning news at Global Saskatoon. In 2023, she became the Weather Specialist on Global Edmonton’s Global News Morning and Global News at Noon. Born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, in 2016 Ciara was accepted into the British Columbia Institute of Technology to study broadcast journalism, chasing her dream of becoming a journalist.
nasr ahmed
media union organzier, cwa
Nasr Ahmed is a media union organizer with CWA Canada. As a former media worker himself, he strongly believes that all media workers deserve to have union representation at work. In the face of an unstable media landscape, Nasr and CWA Canada are fighting to preserve sustainable jobs in media, because we know that quality jobs mean quality journalism. Nasr is a former producer at CBC Toronto & Technical Director with the Brampton Beast of the ECHL.
Bree rody
editor, Annex Media
Sean amato
Journalist, CTV Edmonton
Sean is a journalist at CTV News Edmonton. He joined the news team in 2010. A NAIT graduate, he‘s also worked as a reporter in Medicine Hat and Dawson Creek and travelled Canada reporting Indigenous-focused stories for APTN.
Since joining CTV News Edmonton, Sean has made breaking news his specialty, scooping details of the Slave Lake wildfire in 2011, the Fort McMurray wildfire in 2016 and the Edmonton terror attack in 2017.
Josh kolm
Editor, Peak tech
Josh Kolm is an editor at The Peak, one of Canada’s fastest-growing media companies and the producer of its most popular business newsletters. He runs the Peak Tech newsletter, providing business leaders and the Canadian public with the info they need to understand the biggest news in the technology business. He previously led daily news at Strategy and Media in Canada as Digital Editor, covering the biggest stories in the advertising, marketing, media, and technology sectors, as well as running their newsletter products.
Tamara Baluja
Producer, CBC First Person
Tamara Baluja produces columns for CBC First Person, which showcases the personal stories and experiences of Canadians in their own words. She is based in Vancouver. She has previously worked as a social media editor and reporter for CBC British Columbia. She’s also been part of the social media editorial teams for CBC Indigenous and CBC Olympics during Tokyo 2020.
alex migdal
senior producer, CBC NEws- social and audience
Alex Migdal is a Vancouver-based senior producer with CBC News and helps oversee Canada’s largest social media and audience news team. He got his start in 2010 at The Gateway, where he served as news editor and multimedia editor. He joined the CBC in 2017 and previously worked as a reporter and social producer with CBC British Columbia. He also teaches social media at the UBC School of Journalism, Writing and Media.
Sam Brooks
Photo, video, audio producer
Sam Brooks still doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up. An engineer turned journalist turned entrepreneur, he’s built a diverse media career blending technology and storytelling. Beginning as a photo volunteer at the Gateway, Sam’s career went on to be president of the Canadian University Press, work for community engagement programs for Postmedia, co-found Full Circle Visuals and launch Real Talk, a local news and current affairs streaming talk show. He’s now an independent photo, audio and video producer and all around creative problem solver who spends most of his time at CBC Edmonton.
Terry eggleston
Promotions Coordinator, corus entertainment
Sarah Chan
Writer, publisher, advocate
Sarah Chan is a musician, teacher, writer, publisher, small business owner, social advocate, and registered yoga instructor. She currently leads Community Engagement and Relationships at Alberta Mentoring Partnership. And, is also the Founder and Project Lead of Make Your Mark, United Way’s student leadership program.
In 2021, Sarah contributed to and co-published the anthology Midlife with Jhenifer Pabillano. The COVID project went from a phone call to finished product in 4 months, featuring 27 contributors reflecting on midlife. As a creative, connector, and community builder, Sarah values quality and authenticity in all her relationships.
robert michon
Communications manager, ARTA
Robert Michon has been working in the world of communications and magazine publishing for ten years. With many years of freelance writing under his belt, he has become passionate about longform magazine journalism, and all that can be done with the medium. He is currently the Communications Manager of the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association (ARTA) and serves as the Managing Editor of their quarterly magazine, news&views.
valerie ouellet
broadcast reporter, cbc
Valerie Ouellet is an award-winning broadcast reporter based in Toronto. Her data-driven stories for the CBC News Investigative Unit often explore women’s health, medical devices, the carceral system, social injustice and systemic inequalities. In 2022, she was awarded the prestigious St. Clair Balfour Fellowship at Massey College. Her stories were nominated multiple times for the CAJ Data Journalism Award and she won an Amnesty International Media Award for documenting COVID cases in Canadian jails during the pandemic. She teaches data journalism at the Toronto Metropolitan University and mentors early career journalists with the Canadian Association of Journalists.
Miriam valdes-carletti
multi-media journalist, CTV
Miriam Valdes-Carletti joined CTV News Edmonton in March 2023. She has a passion for reporting on human interest stories and issues affecting BIPOC communities.
She has a wealth of multimedia experience having previously worked at CTV’s Your Morning as a news writer and production coordinator and an associate web producer at The Marilyn Denis Show. Her love for news came from delivering newspapers as a child raised in Niagara Falls. She then started her journalism career at YourTV Niagara where she was a volunteer reporter in high school and university. Miriam holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University. During her time at Ryerson she won the Canadian Press/Eric Murray Award from RTDNA Canada in 2017.