Most people pay scant attention to government policy and public administration, but not so for Nadiya Miftakhova, a Strategic Planner with Crown Investments Corporation and a graduate of the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. Government work has always been in focus for this career policy wonk, and while Nadiya enjoys learning about the technical interplay of business and politics, she also likes cinema, theatre, studying French, working out, travelling with her family and friends, and she volunteers any time remaining from her busy schedule.

Kevin Tkachuk in many ways epitomizes the rugby adage: it’s a sport for hooligans played by gentlemen. The former Glasgow Warriors prop forward represented Canada in more than 50 international matches, including at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, but a decade since his playing days ended, this Oxford-educated Regina native now teaches history to young boys and girls in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at The Hill School—one of the most prestigious private academies in the United States. 

Originally from the Hanley-Kenaston area of Saskatchewan, Marion Mutala is a former elementary and high school teacher in Saskatoon who has written 16 books to date, most famously her “Baba’s Babushka” series which reflects her childhood memories and rekindles the loving, guiding spirit of her maternal grandmother. Marion has a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Saskatchewan, and her books have won several awards, including The High Plains Award for Best Children’s Book in 2015. Her most recent work is “Live Well: My Ukrainian Upbringing and Other Stories”, available at babasbabushka.ca.