Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Eight Albertans from diverse fields, including education, aviation, law, agriculture, healthcare and military service, have been named as the newest inductees into the Alberta Order of Excellence, the Canadian province’s highest honour.
The 2026 inductees are Jodi Abbott, Clive Beddoe, Bruce Bentley, Heather Culbert, Ian Holloway, Kim McConnell, Ron Triffo and Paul Wynnyk. They will be formally inducted during an investiture ceremony at Government House.
According to the Alberta government, this year’s additions will bring the total membership of the Alberta Order of Excellence to 237. Established in 1979, the honour recognises individuals whose contributions have helped shape the province and its communities.
Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani said the recipients had demonstrated leadership in their respective fields while dedicating themselves to their communities.
“It is an honour to invest these individuals as members of the Alberta Order of Excellence,” Lakhani said, adding that their contributions would inspire future generations.
Who Are Alberta’s Eight New Order Of Excellence Inductees?
The 2026 recipients represent a range of professional achievements, from building a major Canadian airline to advancing legal education, healthcare and public service.
1. Jodi Abbott — Education, Healthcare And Figure Skating
Based in Edmonton, Jodi Abbott has contributed to post-secondary education, healthcare and international figure skating. Her leadership has focused on innovation, strengthening institutions and improving outcomes for Albertans.
2. Clive Beddoe — WestJet Co-Founder
Calgary-based Clive Beddoe transformed Canada’s aviation sector by co-founding WestJet. He helped develop a business model centred on affordable air travel, employee ownership and shared success, creating employment and economic opportunities across the country.
3. Bruce Bentley — Business And Community Development
Edmonton business leader Bruce Bentley has used his experience in finance and real estate to support initiatives across the arts, athletics, education and healthcare. His contributions have focused on strengthening institutions and community organisations in Edmonton and Alberta.
4. Heather Culbert — Healthcare And Women’s Leadership
Heather Culbert, from Calgary, has played a leading role in community development and spearheaded the city’s cancer centre project. She has also worked to advance women into leadership positions across Alberta.
5. Ian Holloway — Legal Education
Calgary-based legal scholar Ian Holloway is recognised for his contributions to legal education and his decades of service in the Navy. He developed the Calgary Curriculum, an innovative approach to legal education that has influenced law schools internationally.
6. Kim McConnell — Agriculture And Agri-Food
Kim McConnell of Okotoks has helped advance Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sectors through business leadership, industry advocacy and community involvement. His work has also focused on encouraging younger generations to strengthen agriculture and rural communities.
7. Ron Triffo — Engineering And Philanthropy
Edmonton’s Ron Triffo helped build Stantec into a global engineering company. Beyond his business career, he has supported education, healthcare, the arts and other initiatives aimed at improving quality of life across Alberta.
8. Paul Wynnyk — Military And Public Service
Paul Wynnyk of Sherwood Park rose to senior levels of military leadership in the Canadian Armed Forces and led during crises in Canada and abroad. His subsequent work in Alberta’s public service reflects a career spanning military leadership and government service.
What Is The Alberta Order Of Excellence?
Established in 1979, the Alberta Order of Excellence is the province’s highest honour and forms part of the Canadian Honours System. It recognises Albertans whose achievements and service have made a significant contribution to the province and its people.
The distinction brings together individuals from different professional backgrounds, including business, education, healthcare, culture, science and public service.
With the eight new inductees, the order’s membership will reach 237. Their formal investiture at Government House will mark their entry into a group recognised for its contributions to Alberta’s development and community life.
