Waves of Change: Innovators and Pioneers Celebration to Take Place March 7, 2026

Fort McMurray, AB —Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta is proud to announce Angela McKenzie as a Woman of Inspiration for the 2026 Women of Inspiration Series. Angela will be honoured at this year’s celebration, recognizing women who are advancing community safety, Indigenous leadership, and inclusive systems through courage, mentorship, and innovation.

Angela McKenzie is a respected leader in emergency management, occupational health and safety, and community protection, with a career rooted in Indigenous self-determination and intergenerational knowledge-sharing. Through her work, Angela has consistently broken barriers in male-dominated sectors while centering community voices, cultural teachings, and practical solutions that keep people safe.

One of Angela’s most impactful initiatives is the Community Safety Initiative (CSI), a program she helped develop to bring together Elders, youth, and working professionals to identify and address local safety concerns—from infrastructure lighting and road safety to flooding and emergency preparedness. The initiative has since inspired other Nations to adopt similar approaches, extending Angela’s influence well beyond her home community.

In emergency management, Angela has been instrumental in creating and communicating emergency plans directly with community members, ensuring clarity, compassion, and preparedness. Drawing on Elders’ forestry knowledge and lived experience, she has helped bridge traditional teachings with modern emergency response practices—an approach that proved vital during times of crisis, including the 2016 wildfire, when her community opened their doors to thousands of evacuees.

Angela’s leadership extends beyond her professional role. She serves as Chair of the Mothers of McKay Association and Co-Chair of the Fort McKay Hockey Society, where she advocates for youth development, accessible childcare, and inclusive sport and recreation opportunities. As a mother herself, Angela is deeply committed to creating systems that support families, preserve language and culture, and empower the next generation to lead with confidence.

Angela also actively mentors women and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in the workplace, fostering inclusive environments grounded in empathy, respect, and listening. She encourages young people to explore non-traditional career paths, guiding them through training opportunities, apprenticeships, and leadership development, while stepping back to let them succeed on their own terms.

Angela embodies the Girls Inc. values of being Strong, Smart, and Bold:

Strong: Through her leadership in community safety and emergency management, Angela has helped build resilient systems that protect people while honouring cultural knowledge and collective care.

Smart: Drawing from years of clinical experience, Kassondra integrates science-based therapies with community education, helping people understand cellular longevity, stress regulation, and whole-body wellness.

Bold: Angela challenges traditional power structures by mentoring women and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, championing inclusive leadership, and encouraging young people—especially girls—to take up space and lead unapologetically.

Reflecting on her nomination, Angela shared: “I didn’t ever think I was going to inspire when I started working. Getting this recognition means a lot, especially in a world where we don’t always see it.”

When asked what advice she would give to girls, Angela offered a powerful message rooted in lived experience: “Never dim yourself. Leadership isn’t being ‘bossy’—it’s being assertive, inclusive, and compassionate. Don’t take up less space to make others comfortable. Be who you are and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t.”

Katlin Okonkwo, Interim Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta, shared: “Angela McKenzie is a true pioneer. Her work exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose, empathy, and vision. She is shaping safer, more inclusive communities while inspiring girls to step into leadership with confidence and courage.”

Angela McKenzie will be celebrated at the Women of Inspiration Gala on March 7, 2026, as part of the Waves of Change: Innovators and Pioneers series. Get your tickets today!