Dr. Diana Monea

Optometrist and fashion guru

Dr. Diana Monea grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan and then attended the University of Waterloo, graduating with a Doctor of Optometry in 1978.  Her practice spanning 40 years has evolved as she leads the way in optometry technology.    Dr. Monea operates clinics in both Calgary and Regina.

With a strong passion to operate a progressive clinic, Dr. Monea places the highest value on patient care. Providing the very best diagnostic procedures using digital imaging equipment   Beyond the technology, she maintains close relationships with her patients of all ages and now entering the 5th generation of many families.  She is known for providing house calls and maintains close communication with patients through personal emails.

Dr. Monea has many charitable causes that she supports.  Anna’s Vision donates health exams and glasses to adolescents through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary.  She spearheaded the Eye See, Eye Learn project that offers a free pair of glasses to every kindergarten age child in Alberta who needs them.  Although her career is remarkable, she often jokes that she works to support her high fashion addiction. 

Michelle Thrush - February 5, 2020

As an actress, she is best known for her roles on North of 60 and Arctic Air.  Michelle would say she discovered the power of the arts in drama class at Bowness High School.  This experience combined with her move to Plains Indian Cultural Survival School gave her a sense of belonging and place where she fit in. 

Her career has been strongly associated with her identity as an aboriginal woman.  Michelle moved to Vancouver when she landed her first theatre job at the age of 20. She has had a prolific career since its beginning in the 1980’s.  In these three decades, she has appeared in more than 40 roles either on TV, moves or the theatre.

  Michelle does not shy away from portraying the issues indigenous peoples face.  Using art to tackle the hard work of recovery, Michelle takes on the role of a therapeutic healing clown performing for children and teenagers in Aboriginal communities and shelters.

Additionally, Michelle has a strong commitment to the family system, Michelle has worked hard and creatively to raise her two daughters,  giving them a strong sense of identity, together contributing to society while respecting others and themselves.

DARREL JANZ - January 8, 2020

Darrel’s broadcasting career began at CFAM Radio in Altona, Manitoba, in 1962. He did both radio and television in Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and Montreal from 1963 to 1972In 1972 he joined CFPL-TV in London, Ontario and a year later accepted an offer to join CFCN-TV as its senior news anchor.

From 1973 to 1987 Darrel anchored the CFCN-TV  6:00 and 11:30 P.M. local newscasts. From 1987 to 2010 he co-anchored the 6:00 P.M. news, first with Michelle Hogan for two years and then with Barb Higgins for twenty-one years.

Darrel had trained as a teacher at Saskatchewan Teachers College and put that training to good use as a Broadcast Journalism instructor at SAIT for eleven years and Mount Royal College for fifteen years. He has worked with dozens of his former students over the years and is proud of their achievements.

From 2010 to 2013 he co-anchored the weekend 6:00 P.M. news and began doing a weekly feature entitled “Inspired”. On December 29th, 2013 he anchored his final newscast but continues to enjoy the Inspired feature. Darrel speaks English and some German.

Youth Singers of Calgary - December 4, 2019

Joining us again by popular demand for our December 4th Luncheon, alumni performers from the Youth Singers of Calgary will serenade us with their beautiful harmonies as they share a selection of Christmas Carols for our enjoyment.  Sit back and listen, or feel free to join along in singing some old favourites of the Season.  Our December Luncheon is always a highlight of the year and Guests are welcome to join us for this special and entertaining event.

The Youth Singers of Calgary is a performing arts company that provides an exceptional choral music education program for children, teens and adults.  Since its inception in 1985, the Youth Singers of Calgary has positively impacted the lives of thousands of singers of all ages, their families, and the arts community as a whole.

 Members of the Youth Singers of Calgary perform locally, nationally and internationally and have represented Calgary in over 20 countries on 5 continents.  Among the countries the Youth Singers have travelled to and competed in are: England, France, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Brazil, Argentina, and Costa Rica, to name just a few. 

They have also performed alongside international celebrities including Kenny Rogers, Sarah Brightman, Reba McIntrye, Roch Voisine, Tom Jackson, Kalan Porter and Paul Brandt. 

At present, the Youth Singers of Calgary program has grown to include over 500 singers ranging in age from 3 ½ years to adult who are supported by a vast community of supporters who supply in excess of 35,000 hours of volunteer commitment every year.

 Widely recognized for the calibre of their performances, the Youth Singers of Calgary never fail to bring a smile to the faces of their audience through their exuberance and passion for their art!

Paul Brandt - November 6, 2019

Paul Brandt is a Multi-Platinum recording artist, philanthropist, and 21  year serial entrepreneur in one of the world’s most dynamic and changing environments, the music business. Beginning his musical journey in honky-tonks and talent contests in Calgary, Canada, Paul’s journey eventually led him to Nashville, Tennessee, where his music was first exposed to the entire world.

Influenced by his past work experience as a Registered Nurse at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, Paul often looks for ways to combine humanitarian endeavours with his celebrity platform. Paul’s humanitarian aid work has led him to various places and projects in Ethiopia, Malawi, Egypt, Belize, Mexico, Haiti, and Cambodia.

Through his foundation, he has participated in, and helped fund, projects in Nepal, Mexico, Haiti, Cambodia, and Canada. Through facilitating neighbours to help neighbours, Paul promotes activities and projects to meet practical physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs around the world. Inspired by this idea, the anti-Human Trafficking movement called “#NotInMyCity” with a focus towards raising awareness about Child Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking was born.

Aside from his music and medical background, Paul has numerous honourary degrees, including a Doctor of Fine Arts (University of Lethbridge), Doctor of Divinity (Briercrest Bible College), and on June 1, 2018 he was honoured with another degree in Business Administration for his Social Innovation work at Mount Royal University’s Bisset School of Business, in recognition of his work as Storyteller in Residence, at his alma mater.  Paul continues to be an active touring and recording musician, speaker and writer.

He is inspired by people with big vision to help others, and strives daily to defy categorization.

Often combining his singing with storytelling and speaking on topics as diverse as Resilience, Risk, Philanthropy, Resourcefulness, Disruption, and Brand, his unconventional creativity inspires audiences around the world to be outward-looking and resourceful in a fast-paced world that changes daily.

MICHELLE CAMERON COULTER - October 10, 2019

Embracing life’s challenges with great strength and courage, Michelle Cameron Coulter holds a lengthy list of accomplishments.  She is married with four children, which she indicates is on the top of that list of achievements. 

In addition, you may recognize Michelle as the Olympic Gold Medalist in Synchronized Swimming from the 1988 Olympics; in fact she was the first Albertan to win an Olympic Gold Medal!  In her rise to excellence, Michelle has earned numerous accolades: she is a member of the prestigious Order of Canada, she is a six time World Champion, she has been inducted into the Canada Sports Hall of Fame, and for 25 years she has hosted the Michelle Cameron Invitational. 

Beyond her career as an athlete, Michelle has persisted in her Champion Mindset and this has allowed her to grow and expand her abilities, standing tall on many Life Podium moments.  Michelle is passionate about using her time, energy and expertise to help leaders and organizations move past their fears and work to their full potential. 

“Being a Champion is not about being the best in the world.... it is about being the best we can be and being real in the process” Michelle Cameron Coulter.

KAYSI FAGAN, Spetember 4, 2019

Kaysi Fagan

Resilience, A Tale of Trial and Error

Kaysi Fagan is the only practicing criminal defence lawyer in Canada with three law degrees from three different countries.  Ms. Fagan has successfully defended criminal prosecutions in every level of court in Canada. In addition to her base in Calgary, Ms. Fagan’s criminal defence practice has extended across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and the Northwest Territories. In 2014 Ms. Fagan appeared as co-counsel in the Supreme Court of Canada where a unanimous decision was secured in her favor.

Ms. Fagan’s career in criminal law began when she was recruited to work at the headquarters of the International Police Organization (INTERPOL) in Lyon, France. Upon her return to Calgary she trained under Patrick C. Fagan Q.C. who has been described in the Calgary Herald as being “one of the most respected lawyers in the province”.

Ms. Fagan has established a track record of achievement spanning decades. As student, she was recipient of multiple awards and scholarships including the “Governor General’s Gold Medal for Highest Cumulative Academic Standing”, “Student of the Year” and “Woman of the Year”. She was the only Canadian selected for entrance into an intensive double masters program at New York University and graduated with Honours in respect of all three of her law degrees.

In 2012, Ms. Fagan was named as one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40.  In 2018 Ms. Fagan was the only Criminal Defence Lawyer featured in the first edition of Know magazine. The magazine, which features Calgary’s female “leaders and high producers”, called Ms. Fagan “a woman that you want in your corner”.