Congratulations to these leaders, innovators and creators
NAIT grads, students and staff do amazing things. To celebrate that, we share news every season about those who’ve won awards, reached great heights, marked major milestones, or played leading roles in building their communities.
Here’s the latest group. Please join us in congratulating them!
(Know someone we're missing? Let us know.)
7 Summits Snacks: Reaching new heights
Performance nutrition company 7 Summits Snacks was co-founded by Leanna Carriere (Personal Fitness Trainer '17) in 2021. Today, it's Canada's top chocolate-based energy bar, available at nearly 300 retailers.
In July, the company took second place in a pitch competition held by equity crowdfunding platform FrontFundr. Since then, it has been named one of the Top 10 companies of Edmonton Startup Week 2026 and among Scale Up Canada's most promising 50 startups in Edmonton.
(Photo above by Katrina Hay)
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Ann Marie MacIsaac: A passion for teaching
The Preceptor Award, given out twice annually by Northern Health of British Columbia, is the result of student nominations of a preceptor who made a meaningful difference as a mentor and instructor during their practicum. In August, it went to Ann Marie MacIsaac (Medical Laboratory Technology '04). "Each student I have trained has left a little piece of them with me,” she said.
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Landscape Architectural Technology instructors: Wild trailblazers
The Alberta Association of Landscape Architects promotes and supports the industry in the province and, as part of its awards program, celebrate its members.
In September, NAIT Landscape Architectural Technology chair Jennifer Jones (class of '05) earned the Wild Rose award for contributions to the association and profession, and instructor Jordan Gulayets ('04) took home the Trailblazer prize for leadership and impact. Fellow instructor Dora Berry ('07) stands between them in the photo.
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Exceptional culinary grads: Ernest's Alumni Dinner Series
The Alumni Dinner Series, served up by NAIT's on-campus restaurant, Ernest's, has kicked off its third year of meals prepared by some of Edmonton's best chefs (and culinary program grads). The season began on Sept. 18 with chefs Christine Sandford (Culinary Arts '07) and Roger Letourneau (Cook '10) of Lessig Ferments. Five more dinners with other volunteer chefs will follow.
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NAIT Board of Governors: 3 new members
In July, NAIT welcomed three new public members to its Board of Governors, each for a three-year term:
- Craig Corbett, Chief Executive Officer, Tacada Group
- Brian de Haan, Chief Executive Officer, MIC Medical Imaging
- Rob Otway, Construction and Infrastructure Executive
Each brings extensive leadership experience across construction, health care, governance, real estate, and organizational strategy. NAIT’s Board of Governors typically comprises 16 members, including 10 public members, tasked with overseeing the polytechnic's continued growth and impact as Alberta’s largest provider of trades education.
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Alessandra Bruni-Smith: Spirit "Bilder"
The Bild Edmonton Metro Spirit Awards recognize local leaders making an outstanding contribution to the built environment across the region. Among the four 2026 recipients is Alessandra Bruni-Smith (Bachelor of Business Administration '18), owner of Chalkmark Residential. In addition to noting her support of the industry, Bild cited Bruni-Smith's focus on philanthropy, innovation and more.
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BBQ Team NAIT: A smokin' performance
This summer saw BBQ Team NAIT, featuring Culinary Arts and Professional Food Studies instructors, "meat" the best of the best in grilling, smoking and cooking from across Canada and the U.S. The team showed its chops at the Summer Grillin’ BBQ Festival in Leduc, where it placed third in the chicken category and garnered respectable rankings in pork, ribs and brisket.
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New NAIT leadership: Major projects and student experience
On July 1, Clayton Davis was tasked with leading Student Services and the International, Legal Services and Human Resources portfolios as vice-president of Students and Campus Experience. Davis has been with the polytechnic in various roles since 2005.
As vice-president of Major Projects, Tim Cartmell will lead the Advanced Skills Centre through construction and opening, and explore other opportunities related to NAIT's major land holdings, such as those of neighbouring Blatchford. Cartmell joined NAIT in March.
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