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Business and Community Leader | 12th Commissioner of the CFL
It is almost impossible to put Mark Cohon’s life and career into a box. A seasoned sports executive, he is the 12th commissioner of the CFL, one of North America’s oldest sports leagues; an award-winning executive producer; a successful angel investor; an active community builder; and, in a prior life, an arctic explorer and zookeeper. Cohon draws on these diverse experiences, while unpacking his old-school playbook for leadership success in modern times, highlighting the importance of cultivating trust when navigating change and uncertainty.
Cohon earned his respected reputation as a sports executive with the MLB, where he was Director of Corporate and Game Development, and the NBA, where he served as Director and Group Manager of International Marketing, Managing Director of NBA Europe, and Vice President of Business Development. In these roles, he raised the profile of these iconic leagues in over 30 international markets.
In 2007, Cohon made the move to the CFL. As its 12th Commissioner, he was the driving force behind the league’s renaissance. His eight-year stewardship saw the CFL’s business model transformed, and its brand rejuvenated. Record television ratings, $2 billion in new stadiums, new live game programming with ESPN, strengthened corporate partnerships, a return to the nation’s capital, and the almost tripling of team distributions are all part of Cohon’s legacy.
Upon completing his successful run as commissioner, Cohon wanted to continue his role as a community builder while following his entrepreneurial spirit. He was appointed the Chair of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences to help transform the Juno Awards, the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and Canada’s national music charity, MusiCounts. As the Executive Producer of the Juno broadcast, Cohon and the team won multiple Canadian Screen Awards for Best Live Entertainment Special.
Today, Cohon is the chair of the Northern Super League, the new Canadian women’s professional soccer league, and of Toronto Global, a government funded agency that promotes and attracts foreign direct investment. He is also the chair and partner in Georgian Bay Spirits Co., one of the fastest growing Canadian spirits companies; a board member of Great Canadian Entertainment, the largest Casino operator in Canada; and a special advisor to CVC, one of the world’s largest private equity firms.
Whether leading organizations with thousands of employees, being the trusted voice of a league with millions of fans, or the chief cheerleader for one of North America’s largest and fastest growing cities, there is one common theme that has embodied Cohon’s life — building trusted relationships and stronger communities. In recognition of his transformative leadership, Cohon was appointed to the Order of Ontario and awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
Infinitely curious, passionate, and eternally optimistic, David Coletto is the founder, chair, and CEO of Abacus Data and one of Canada’s best known and most respected public opinion analysts, pollsters, and social researchers. Recently named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in
Canadian politics by The Hill Times, Coletto is the official pollster of the Toronto Star, co-host of the podcast Hub Politics, and curator of the popular Substack “inFocus with David Coletto”. In his timely, data-driven presentations, he delivers strategic advice customized to his audiences and the
industries they serve, from generational shifts and political trends to consumer behaviour and workplace dynamics.
Since launching in 2010, Coletto has grown Abacus Data into one of Canada’s most respected, full-service market research and strategy firms. He has worked with many of the world’s leading brands, associations, corporations, and non-profits, including Google, Airbnb, TD Bank, Interac, Canadian Medical Association, Government of Canada, Dairy Farmers of Canada, WorkSafe BC, Imperial Oil, BMW, and the LCBO, among others. He is also frequently called upon by local, national, and international news organizations to assess public opinion and has advised political leaders at all levels of government.
Having devoted his life to exploring what people think and feel about their work, lives, and politics, Coletto is an in-demand keynote speaker. He has spoken to thousands of people in audiences ranging from massive national conferences to intimate briefings in boardrooms across North
America and Europe. Coletto believes that by understanding what motivates and informs people’s worldview, we can create a more understanding, empathetic, and action-driven world.
Coletto earned a PhD in political science from the University of Calgary. He is currently a professor in the Graduate Program of Political Management at Carleton University, where he teaches courses in polling, political marketing, and designing public affairs strategies
Premier of Alberta
Danielle Smith was sworn in as Alberta’s 19th Premier on October 11, 2022. The Premier chairs cabinet and chooses Alberta’s cabinet ministers, who are in charge of specific ministries.
For over a century, the RMA has served as the united voice of Alberta’s rural municipalities, championing the interests of communities that span vast landscapes and fuel much of the province’s economic and cultural strength. Through dedicated advocacy, and valued business services, the RMA plays a vital role in strengthening rural governance and ensuring members have the tools they need to succeed.
Whether you’re stepping into municipal leadership for the first time or returning with fresh perspective, this session is designed to give you a strong foundation in what the RMA is, what it does, and how we support our members.
Duane Gladden, RMA’s Executive Director & CEO
Tasha Blumenthal, RMA’s Executive Officer of External Relations and Strategy
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Dan Williams was sworn in as the Minister of Municipal Affairs on May 16, 2025. He previously served as the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction. He was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Peace River on April 16, 2019, and was re-elected on May 29, 2023.
Minister Williams has been tasked with implementing Alberta’s mental health and addiction strategy, known as the ‘Alberta Recovery Model’. This policy model focuses on the fact that recovery is possible, no matter what addiction or mental health challenge someone may face. Under his leadership, Alberta is building 11 recovery communities across the province, a record-breaking expansion to long-term addiction treatment. He has connected with communities, First Nations and families dealing with the addiction crisis. Alberta has now established a new mental health and addiction agency, Recovery Alberta, which is funded and overseen by the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction.
The province, under Minister Williams is also investing in mental health services, especially for children and youth. Partnerships with service providers are expanding services across the entire province and connecting families with the mental health support they need.
Dan is a devoted father and husband. Outside of his work, Dan is an avid mountaineer who enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.
Serving as a municipal official is both a privilege and a responsibility, offering the chance to shape the future of your community while building the skills and relationships needed for effective leadership. This session is designed for newly elected leaders looking to establish a strong foundation, returning councillors refreshing their skills and perspectives, and administrators seeking to strengthen collaboration. Drawing on real-world lessons from municipal leaders, today’s workshop will provide practical strategies and first-hand perspectives on fostering effective council-administration relationships.
Mike Vivian, Director of Public Affairs, Berlin Communications
Randy Taylor, Reeve, County of Warner
Shawn Hathaway, CAO, County of Warner
Angela Aalbers, Reeve, Mountain View County
Jeff Holmes, CAO, Mountain View County
Nuclear energy is increasingly being discussed as part of Canada’s long‑term energy mix, including through the development of Small Modular Reactors. The benefits of nuclear that are often cited include reliable baseload power, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and opportunities for technological innovation and investment. However, challenges remain, such as high upfront development costs, a complex regulatory environment, radioactive waste management, and the need for strong public trust, buy-in, and consultation. For Alberta, the question is whether nuclear energy can balance economic opportunity with community concerns, offering a pathway to a cleaner, more resilient energy grid.
This workshop will feature the Government of Alberta’s Nuclear Energy Engagement and Advisory Panel, who has just wrapped up Phase 1 of their engagement.
Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities and Vice Chair of Treasury Board
Chantelle de Jonge, Chestermere-Strathmore MLA and Parliamentary Secretary for Affordability and Utilities
The Honourable Deron Bilous, Senior Vice President at Western Canada Counsel Public Affairs Inc. and former MLA for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview
Mr. Tim Boston, principal at Boston Edge Strategies Inc. and former Vice President of Public Policy, Government Relations, and Compliance at ENMAX
Stephen Buffalo, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Resource Council of Canada and a member of the Samson Cree Nation
Dr. Rudiger Tscherning, Associate Professor of Law and Research Fellow in nuclear law and policy at the University of Calgary
Dr. Harrie Vredenburg, faculty Professor of Strategy and Global Management at the Haskayne School of Business and a Research Fellow at the School of Public Policy, University of Calgary.
The Alberta Fire Services Core Competency Framework is a free, online, Risk Management Framework tool for fire departments across Alberta to utilize. In this workshop, attendees will learn how this tool can work in their municipality.
Steven Munshaw, Fire Chief at the Taber Fire Department, Fire Service Instructor, Fire Accreditation Panel member for the Province of Alberta, and Chair of the Alberta Firefighter Toolbox Committee
Phillip Tufford, Chief Training Officer for the Grande Prairie Fire Department
Jason Linton, Fire Chief and Emergency Services Coordinator for Cypress County Fire Rescue and President of the Alberta Industrial Fire and Emergency Management Association
The recent advancements in artificial intelligence have lead to a sharp increase in the demand for large data centres, and the Alberta government has been positioning rural Alberta as a prime destination for these developments. However, there are many details impacting rural municipalities that you should be aware of as these developments began to pop up across the province.
This session will feature delegates from two RMA members who each have data centre developments on the go. It will also include a legal review of the interplay between provincial and municipal regulatory authority. An overview will be provided respecting key municipal impacts and issues to address in the context of current and long-range planning and other considerations.
Jeneane S. Grundberg, KC, ICD.D, Partner at Brownlee LLP in Edmonton, specializing in Municipal, Planning, and Administrative law
Mark Morrissey, Director of Economic Innovation and Growth at Sturgeon County
When disasters strike, municipal councils play a critical, though often misunderstood, role in emergency response and recovery processes.
This interactive session will explore how council members can prepare themselves before an emergency occurs, how they can effectively contribute during response and recovery phases, and how to avoid common pitfalls that can hinder these efforts.
Chyenne Shaw, accomplished municipal government and emergency management professional with extensive experience in governance, public safety, and organizational leadership in Smoky Lake County.
Individuals should be treated fairly, but this does not mean administration or council should be subject to unreasonable or unsafe behaviours. This workshop explores tools to address complex behaviours. It will provide tangible resources for municipalities, address what the Ombudsman’s office considers a fair policy, and explain how we investigate restriction complaints. It’ll also touch on the use of social media.
Lindsay Sellinger, Senior Investigator with the Alberta Ombudsman
Before entering provincial politics, Mr. Nenshi served as the Mayor of Calgary for over a decade. He also has experience as an entrepreneur, a consultant, and a professor at Mount Royal University.
The Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group will provide an update to members on the state of ag plastics recycling in Alberta, including an overview of the pilot program, successes to this point, future plans for expanding the program, and the role of municipalities.
Assar Grinde, cow-calf producer in Ponoka County, former Director with the Alberta Beef Producers and ABP’s representative on the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group
Jennifer Koole, Executive Director of the Recycling Council of Alberta, a non-profit organization with over 350 members