Each year, Edify magazine profiles 40 groundbreaking Edmontonians. This year, five MacEwan grads earned a spot on the list.

These exceptional individuals are making a difference in their community, and setting trends in art, education, health care and more.

Get to know these incredible alumni, and some of their memories of MacEwan.

Kassie Burkholder
Bachelor of Arts ’14

Lifelong Edmontonian Kassie Burkholder has channelled her passion for city-building and community engagement into a diverse career path, which eventually led her to become the executive director of Corporate and Continuing Education and Product Development at NAIT. There, she works with industry, government and community organizations to provide accessible, high-quality training to diverse groups, including Indigenous communities, international audiences and those in need of upskilling and reskilling. 

She is also an active community volunteer and a passionate advocate for the equitable participation of women in politics and government. Burkholder has spearheaded numerous initiatives in partnership with community organizations, creating impactful training and employment opportunities for underrepresented groups. Outside of work, she is a wife and mother of two who finds joy in life and a deep connection to the outdoors.

What advice would you give to current MacEwan students?

“Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, whether it’s joining a club, volunteering or getting involved in group projects. The more you engage, the more you’ll learn about yourself, your interests and the impacts you can make. Be open to new experiences and take a few risks! Some of the most rewarding paths are those you never originally planned for.”

Winnie Chen
Human Resources Management ’14

Winnie Chen is a chef and partner at Fu’s Repair Shop, named Edmonton’s best new restaurant by Edify in 2023 and best overall in 2024. She is passionate about art, fashion and the community that food creates. Since beginning her professional career as a line cook at 19, Chen has developed a freeform style of cooking that pushes conventional boundaries while honouring familiarity and tradition. 

She initially resisted culinary arts as a career due to parental pressures, but after attending culinary competitions, events and festivals, she found that the work was fun and had a social component that made it more rewarding. She applied that mindset to the way she runs her kitchen and will continue to do so as she prepares to open a new restaurant, Boa and Hare, this fall.

How did your MacEwan experience help you to get where you are now?

“My diploma in HR included a lot of courses and work involving conflict management, leadership and teamwork, which primed me to effectively lead my kitchen into the team that I am proud of. I provide an environment that is healthy and fosters teamwork and personal growth. The hospitality sector also has a notoriously negative reputation for bending or abusing labour laws, whether consciously or not. I am hyper-aware of what my employees are entitled to and ensure they are treated fairly.”

AJA Louden
Design Studies ’12, Design Foundations ’10, 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient

AJA Louden, an artist of Jamaican and Canadian heritage living and working out of amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton), challenges perceptions of public art through contemporary urban muralism. His work, rooted in both galleries and public spaces, explores the intersection of Black identity and prairie upbringing. Notable exhibitions include “Black Every Day” at the Art Gallery of Alberta, featuring his installation “Constellation.” Currently, Louden delves into themes of power cycles, drawing inspiration from science fiction and historical paintings. His recent use of textiles considers the role of craft in Black communities and in rural Alberta. 

Committed to making art accessible, Louden has advised on legal wall projects, and mentors youth through his Aerosol Academy workshops. He collaborates regularly with communities to create public art that reflects shared stories, amplifying marginalized voices. Louden’s legacy includes mentorship initiatives with organizations like the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, MacEwan University and the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights. 

What advice would you give to current MacEwan students?

“Your education will help you get your foot in the door, but learning to share your passion will help you find the people you’re aligned with – those you'll inevitably rely on as you build a career for yourself. No one does this alone or in isolation. Your relationships will take you further than your CV, your resume or your transcript. Be kind always! People will often remember as much about how you made them feel as the details of what you worked on together.” 

Ofodile Emmanuel Onah
Bachelor of Arts ’16; University Transfer, Bachelor of Science ’07

A seasoned leader with over 13 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Ofodile Emmanuel Onah specializes in operations, program design, governance and strategic planning. He currently serves as the director of community initiatives at Reach Edmonton, where he focuses on enhancing public safety and social cohesion. 

As co-founder and vice-president of operations at the African Canadian Civic Engagement Council, Onah has secured substantial funding to support advocacy efforts for African-descent communities. He created the Timbuktu Innovation Hub, an African-inspired space that empowers youth of African descent by nurturing and developing their creative and entrepreneurial skills inspired by African culture and values. He also actively contributes to various boards and committees to promote cultural sensitivity, inclusivity and community service.

Was there anyone at MacEwan who made a difference in your life/studies while you were a student?

“As an international student, I faced challenges adjusting to a new country and anxieties associated with high tuition fees. Delays in tuition payments sometimes put me at risk of being dropped from my classes. Deborah Taylor and Celia Smyth with MacEwan International went above and beyond to support me during these times, embodying a human-centred approach and seeing me as a person rather than just a number. Their compassion had a lasting impact on me, and it’s a value I’ve carried into my life and career.”

Meighan Sommer
University Transfer, Bachelor of Science ’07

Meighan Sommer is a wife and mother of three young children, deeply passionate about supporting her community. Her youngest brother’s autism diagnosis inspired her to volunteer and work in areas close to her heart, particularly with Special Olympics, where she has served as a coach and mentor for over 18 years.

Motivated by her lived experience and appreciation of the importance of strong social policies and programs for vulnerable populations, Sommer pursued a Master of Public Health, along with an after-degree in nursing. She has worked in various health-care settings, including the Ministry of Health, Covenant Health and Alberta Health Services. In her role with the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region, she is hopeful that their online giving platform, Give for Good, will not only foster meaningful giving but also connect community members with the resources they need to thrive.

Is there a lesson you learned at MacEwan you still carry with you today?

“Success requires hard work and determination. It wasn’t easy – there were many challenges – but those experiences really helped shape my work ethic. I also discovered how much I genuinely enjoy learning, and perhaps most importantly, how little I actually know. That realization continues to drive me to stay curious and embrace opportunities to grow, both personally and professionally.”

To read full profiles, and meet the rest of Edify’s 2024 Top 40 Under 40, click here.