Board of Directors

Karen is a lawyer and manages the firm Kennedy Agrios Oshry Law. Her practice focuses on business law and commercial real estate and transactions, providing legal services to individuals, small and medium sized businesses, as well as institutional clients. Karen is an alumnus of the Universities of Alberta and Toronto. As a long time Edmontonian and volunteer, she is committed to advocating for business and growth in the city of Edmonton.

Naomi is the Chief Financial Officer of Melcor Developments Ltd. and Melcor REIT, both publicly traded on the TSX. With over 140 communities built, Melcor has shaped much of Edmonton’s (and Alberta’s) urban landscape. Naomi oversees all aspects of Melcor and Melcor REIT’s financial health, risk management, reporting, budgeting, and capital market transactions.

For over 20 years Marc has been leading development and change in the arts, culture and creative economy across the country. He has held senior roles since moving to Edmonton 15 years ago with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Incite Strategy and is currently the CEO of CKUA Radio Network, where he has ignited transformational change in a 92-year old Alberta cultural institution. His commitment to building communities that are rich in cultural experiences is unwavering. Marc is excited to be a part of the next evolution in Explore Edmonton's trajectory, showcasing the best of what Edmonton has to offer to the world.

Erin is a connector and change-maker who recently created her own company. Prior to that she worked as Director, Corporate Engagement, Western Canada with Catalyst. Erin received both the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion award as D&I Practitioner of the Year in Western Canada, as well as the Catalyst Canada Honours award in the Emerging Leader category for her work in the diversity and inclusion space in 2018. Outside her organization, she is the chair of the Edmonton Business Diversity Network (EBDN) and a founding member of Works for Women, and The C-Retreat, a boutique-style conference that brings together professional women leaders to conquer challenges, cultivate change and create community.

A passionate Edmontonian, Jay is committed to playing a role in helping make Edmonton a 'Global 10'. In 2007, he co-founded Oilersnation.com and the Nation Network. In 2010, Jay was appointed President of Oodle Noodle, applying the skills he learned from specializing in franchise financing at ATB, for which he was awarded the President’s Award in 2010 for highest corporate sales in his position. Since taking the helm, his guidance has led Oodle Noodle to become a 14-store local chain.

Jay’s passion for Edmonton and its river valley led him to be one of the co-owners of Little Brick Café. This became the catalyst to fuel Jay and his team to help build more river valley amenities, which led to the creation of River Valley Company, which aims to play a part in building more community amenities and support the development of outdoor tourism in the river valley.

Grant has worked in Canada from coast to coast in his 40 years in the hotel industry. He initiated his hotel career at the Jasper Park Lodge and spent seventeen years with Delta Hotels & Resorts.

In 1993, Grant came to Edmonton to renovate and manage the Delta Centre Suite Hotel. It was the quality of life and entrepreneurial spirit of Edmonton that captured his heart. Grant then joined SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts and is now Area General Manager for the Doubletree by Hilton West Edmonton, Home2 Suites West Edmonton and the Mayfield Dinner Theatre. Grant has been recognized for his contributions to the hospitality and tourism industry, including the Award of Distinction, Edmonton You’re Welcome Awards, Alberta Tourism Award (ALTO) Ambassador, Jim Engel Tourism Award (SKAL) and Leader of the Year for DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels in North America.

Chris is a founder of six companies and the current President and CEO of Fedora Pharmaceuticals and Brass Dome Ventures, a successful second generation biomedical research company headquartered in Edmonton. In 2014 Fedora Pharmaceuticals signed the largest biotech licensing deal ever in Canada. His hard work was honoured when he was the 2015 EY Entrepreneur of the Year award winner.

Geoffrey (“Geoff”), a proud Edmontonian for over 20 years, is a Partner with Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP practicing in the Audit, Assurance and Business Advisory Group. Geoff is a long-time community volunteer, including serving as Past Chair of the Board of Directors of Edmonton Northlands. In 2020, Geoff was nominated and awarded the Distinguish Service Award by CPA Alberta in recognition of his leadership excellence in community and volunteer services, including excellence and innovation in the field of accounting. Geoff is an alumnus of the University of Alberta, a Chartered Professional Accountant and has an ICD.D designation in governance matters.

Tom has extensive experience in international logistics, having held senior executive positions throughout North America in the multi-modal cargo and logistics industries. He served in senior management roles at Livingston International in Toronto, as president and CEO of Edmonton International Airport and Halifax International Airport, and as president of Canadian North Airline in Yellowknife.

He has held board positions on the Airports Council International World Governing Board, the Airports Council International - North America, and served as chair of the Canadian Airports Council.

Tom sits on the boards of Canada Post and PortsToronto and is executive director of Airlink, an international non-profit organization that provides early onset logistic and humanitarian support for global disasters. Tom supports regional community organizations as a member of the board for Explore Edmonton.

Amarjeet Sohi was elected as the 36th mayor of Edmonton in Oct. 2021. This comes after a long tenure in politics. He was elected a Member of Parliament for Edmonton Mill Woods in 2015 and was appointed to cabinet as the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

Prior to that, he was a member of city council first elected in 2007. In his eight years on council, he was instrumental in advocating for investment in the LRT system, and in the approval of the Valley Line to southeast Edmonton, which will open this year. He played a prominent role in downtown revitalization, helping to build recreational facilities, libraries, a senior centre, and a multicultural centre for Edmonton Mill Woods.

Dr. Marvin Washington (Ph.D., Northwestern University / Kellogg Graduate School of Management), is most known as a Pracademic (practicing academic). Dr. Washington has written three books focused on leadership, strategy, and organizational change. His most recent book is, Lead Self First Before Leading Others with Stephen Hacker at Business Expert Press.

Over the past 20 years, Dr. Washington has worked with a wide array of organizations. Most notably, Dr. Washington was the Academic Director for Alberta Health Services Executive Leadership Program. He has also worked with organizations such as Enbridge, Shaw Communications, AIMCo, Blue Cross, YMCA, Parkland Fuels, Syncrude, and SportChek, many ministries and departments in the Country of Botswana, the state of Oregon, Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton on topics of leadership, organizational change, and diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice.

Since July 3, 2023, Dr. Washington is the College Dean / Vice-Provost for Social Sciences and Humanities at University of Alberta. In his almost 25 years as an academic Dr. Washington has worked at Portland State University, Texas Tech University and The University of Iowa. Academically, Dr. Washington research often focuses on processes of organizational and institutional change.

On a personal note, Dr. Washington is married and has 3 sons. When not at work, Dr. Washington is an avid basketball fan, having coached boys’ and girls’ basketball teams for almost 25 years.

Darlene W. Scott, KC, ICD.D is an experienced commercial lawyer and director with more than 40 years legal experience, most recently as counsel and senior partner in the Edmonton office of Dentons Canada LLP. She has acted for financial institutions and for developers of commercial, residential, and industrial projects and various other businesses and commercial entities. Notable matters include acting for the ICE District Joint Venture in the acquisition, development and financing of the Edmonton ICE District, a 25-acre development in downtown Edmonton including condominiums, restaurants, retail, office towers and restaurants, all centered on the Rogers Place Arena.

She has been recognized by both Lexpert and Best Lawyers in various areas of law, including corporate law, real estate law, and banking and finance. Darlene is a recipient of the Women in Law Leadership “Stronger Together" award, as well as the Commercial Real Estate Women's inaugural award for advancing diversity in the real estate industry. She is a past President of the Law Society of Alberta and served as a Bencher for 8 years. During that time, she also served as the chair of the Alberta Law Foundation. She currently chairs the board of KV Mortgage Fund Inc., and the Alberta Lawyers Indemnity Association, and is a director of Civida, a provider and manager of affordable housing in Edmonton and area. She is a regular Child Advocate with the Zebra Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.

Darlene was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and is passionate about all our City has to offer!