Amanda Achtman
What’s your job?
I am a third year Political Science student at the University of Calgary.
What’s the most important part of your training/education?
At Bishop Carroll High School, a self-directed Calgary high school, I learned the importance of self-motivation, initiative, and personal responsibility in education. These lessons continue to be among the most valuable aspects of my education.
What was your path to politics?
When I was nine years old, there was a federal election taking place. It was the year 2000. I said to my mother on the way to school, “I know who you should vote for!” Surprised by this she asked, “Who?” I pointed outside the car window to a lawn sign and said, “Diane Ablonczy.” When my mother asked why, I responded, “I’ve counted and she has the most signs.” Realizing that this was a teachable moment, my mom helped me to request a meeting with the candidate. The following week, Diane Ablonczy took the time to meet with me in her office. I brought a list of ten hand-written questions to her and she answered all of them. This made an impression on me and inspired me to participate in the political process, which I realized was accessible to me, even at nine years old.
Who is (are) your political mentor(s)?
Dr. Marco Navarro-Génie, Dr. Barry Cooper, and Dr. Tom Flanagan are my political mentors.
What are you most passionate about politically?
I am most passionate about advancing respect for life and liberty combined with responsibility and an appreciation of tradition.
What other things do you really enjoy?
I enjoy traveling, reading, writing, volunteering, hiking in the Rockies, stampeding in Calgary, and studying in my favourite coffee shops.
What can’t you stop talking about?
I can’t stop talking about the latest events in Alberta politics.
Why did you say yes to the Alberta Blue Committee?
The Founding Principles of the Alberta Blue Committee are good, solid principles from which policy proposals can be derived to best serve the interests of Albertans.
What’s your favourite nonprofit/charity?
Elizabeth House Calgary (Home for Pregnant and Parenting Teens) Chalice International (Canadian-based International Child Sponsorship Programme)
How do you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as someone who was devoted to her community and who contributed meaningfully in ways that served others.
Logan Day
What’s your job?
Partner, Ernst & Young, Transaction Advisory Services
What’s the most important part of your training/education?
10+ years of working on Mergers & Acquisitions has been the most valuable form of education.
What was your path to politics?
25 years of growing up in a politically active home. I worked for an MP on in Ottawa for five years (1995-2000). First became active with the Alberta Provincial Tories when I was 14.
Who is (are) your political mentor(s)?
Stockwell Day, Ezra Levant, Jason Kenney.
What are you most passionate about politically?
Less government/regulation in our day to day lives. Stop wasteful government spending. Educating the world on the benefits of Alberta Energy.
What other things do you really enjoy?
Time with my wife and kids. Tennis. Vacations in Kelowna.
What can’t you stop talking about?
Democracy = Freedom. Democracy = Peace. Democracy = Prosperity.
Why did you say yes to the Alberta Blue Committee?
I believe in the leadership and vision of ABC. It’s very important to have a singular voice for Conservatives.
What’s your favourite non-profit/charity?
I sit on the board of Priceles$ (Paul Brandt’s non-profit/based in Calgary) and KIDS UP FRONT/Edmonton Chapter. They are both my favourite.
How do you want to be remembered?
Generous, honest, ethical. A activist for the “right” kind of change. Not afraid to stand up for what’s right…even when not the popular thing to do.
Kristen Lawson
What’s your job?
Account Director, Hill & Knowlton
What’s the most important part of your training/education?
The amazing people I have had the ability to work with.
What was your path to politics?
That is a funny story and would make a great movie.
Who is (are) your political mentor(s)?
Joey Smallwood but you should ask me why!
What are you most passionate about politically?
Solving problems.
What other things do you really enjoy?
Yoga and Zesty Cheese Doritos
What can’t you stop talking about?
Politics and politics.
Why did you say yes to the Alberta Blue Committee?
Am I allowed to say Ken Boessenkool ?
What’s your favourite nonprofit/charity?
JDRF – I chair the Canadian GR committee.
How do you want to be remembered?
Fondly
Morten Paulsen
Morten Paulsen served in various capacities for the Reform Party and Canadian Alliance, including Director of Public Relations, Director of Operations and National Campaign Manager. His involvement in politics also extends to the provincial and municipal levels where he has managed numerous campaigns and achieved success at driving legislative and policy change. In 2005, Mr. Paulsen was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal for service to Alberta. In 2001, Mr. Paulsen set up a successful consultancy serving clients ranging from professional associations, to First Nations, medical campaigns, and oil and gas. Paulsen joined Fleishman-Hillard in 2006 to launch Fleishman’s Calgary office, and took the lead on a range of high profile communications initiatives in Calgary and nationally; including financial sector branding and regulatory affairs, leading the awareness and reputation campaign in Canada for one of the world’s largest oil and gas producers and co-managing communications for the Maple Leaf Foods Listeriosis crisis response. In 2009, Paulsen formed Paulsen Group with a number of respected consultants, to focus specifically on the media, crisis and government relations that are increasingly critical to business. Paulsen holds a B.A. from the University of Calgary and an M.A. from the University of California at Davis.
Alyson Robb
What’s your job?
Government and External Relations Associate for Imperial Oil.
What’s the most important part of your training/education?
Although I have an honours BA from York University and a Post Diploma from Seneca College, training as a figure skater and growing up in a rink taught me invaluable lessons. Skating taught me to be disciplined, organized, work under pressure and as part of a team. These skills have served me well throughout my education and career.
What was your path to politics?
I had an early interest in politics after hearing stories of my great-grandfather who was a provincial judge and close supporter of former Ontario Premier, Bill Davies. In 2002 I volunteered during the by-election campaign in my hometown riding of Dufferin-Caledon (ON) to elect Ernie Eves as an MPP after he won the leadership replacing Mike Harris as Premier. After winning the by-election I was offered a role as constituency assistant for Premier Eves. That was the beginning of my political career and I went on to work numerous rolls in Ottawa for the federal Conservatives from 2004 to 2007 and in Calgary for Jim Prentice from 2009-2010.
Who is (are) your political mentor(s)?
I remember not being old enough to vote, but following the Mike Harris campaign and his common sense revolution. I remember for the first time seeing a politician do what he had committed to do and having great respect for Harris.
What are you most passionate about politically?
I had many great experiences working in politics, however working in a constituency office gave me the appreciation of why we have elected officials. I gained a new understanding and insight into the kind of issues that everyday Canadians were faced with and how your local elected official could provide everything from good counsel to solid solutions.
What other things do you really enjoy?
I enjoy being active. I became a skating coach and continue to coach a learn to skate program. I am a certified fitness instructor and teach an indoor pedal class. I enjoy spending time with family and walks with my four-legged, furry boy George.
What can’t you stop talking about?
As my husband is also involved in politics you can imagine our conversations usually come back to in-depth political discussions.
Why did you say yes to the Alberta Blue Committee?
In 2003 I became a member of the Dufferin-Caledon federal PC Party Board of Directors and worked on the campaign to bring the two right of centre parties together to form the Conservative Party of Canada. In order to replace the Liberals from governing it was important to unite the right and bring the majority of common values together under one umbrella. I have been an Albertan for three years and see the common values and beliefs from both the PC and Wildrose parties. Though there are a few important distinctions between the PC and Wildrose parties, these differences are vastly outweighed by shared values beliefs. A strong and unified conservative party will ensure strong government for Alberta and future generations.
What’s your favourite nonprofit/charity?
There are a number of charities which speak to me and they all do great things. One in particular I support is the MS Society. MS has affected my family and close friend personally.
How do you want to be remembered?
How do you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as a woman who was passionate about so many things in life from skating to politics to family, who worked hard and put her heart into everything she accomplished.
John von Heyking
What’s your job?
Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Lethbridge, where I I have the privilege of reading the books of the world’s great political thinkers with a lot of extremely talented undergraduate students who constitute Alberta’s future.
What’s the most important part of your training/education?
In terms of my professional life, that would be my PhD; but more important are those moments of insight my students and I share when contemplating the ideas of a great thinker.
What was your path to politics?
My academic work on politics, and my work as a public intellectual, have given me access to numerous talented and passionate people who practice politics “on the ground,” and who have taught me a great deal. I like to think that, through my own work, I can reciprocate.
Who is (are) your political mentor(s)?
From Plato, the fundamentals; from Alexis de Tocqueville, the difference between great and small politics; from Rainer Knopff of the University of Calgary, the dignity of parliamentary democracy and deliberation.
What are you most passionate about politically?
How – despite the narrow view of my academic profession – politics really is about the myriad of one-to-one relationships among people getting things done; politics is about friends helping friends. I am constantly amazed that the best politicians are also those who are able to make a personal connection with thousands of people in one-on-one interactions, and also remember each name.
What other things do you really enjoy?
I live in southern Alberta, so of course I love the mountains, the foothills, the expanse of the prairies, and all the great activities they afford, including hiking, biking, stargazing, and generally living out my days with my family.
What can’t you stop talking about?
My kids. Also great texts of political philosophy and the latest stretch of single track on which I rode my mountain bike.
Why did you say yes to the Alberta Blue Committee?
Alberta is at a crossroads in its political history and the Committee offers me the opportunity to work with some remarkably talented Albertans in helping the province make key decisions about its future.
What’s your favourite nonprofit/charity?
Worldvision, International Justice Mission, Salvation Army.
How do you want to be remembered?
As a good citizen, good scholar, good teacher, good father and husband, and a good man.
