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Krista Balsom
President
Born and raised on Random Island, Newfoundland, Krista Balsom grew up dreaming big. Moving to Fort McMurray in 2001 and attending Westwood Community High School and Keyano College before heading to the University of Ottawa to study political science and then public relations at Algonquin College, Krista returned in 2009 after working on Parliament Hill as a legislative assistant, to work and put down further roots in Fort McMurray.
Krista’s experience working for the Municipality, at MacDonald Island Park and for the provincial legislature has given her a diverse background in community engagement and local initiatives.
Living in Fort McMurray — Canada’s economic engine — has provided incredible opportunities and allowed her to work and play with some incredibly talented people. She is now the president and owner of Balsom Communications Inc., the proud publisher of Your McMurray Magazine, YMM Parent, and YMM News. In addition to this, she is a Ward 1 Councillor with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, where she works to tirelessly advocate the place we call home both here and across the Country.
Krista is a passionate and active volunteer in the community and is a past Campaign Vice-Chair for the United Way of Fort McMurray, where she sat on the Board of Directors for six years. She also spearheads the annual Fort McMurray Food Festival where she leads a team of volunteers to raise funds for Waypoints. She currently serves on several boards, and can frequently be found out and about in the community.
Krista’s extensive community involvement has been recognized in the past with awards for Female Business Leader of the Year from the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce (2016), the Woman of Inspiration Award from Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta (2015), the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce Microbusiness of the Year (2013), and a nomination for the Municipality’s Citizen Recognition Award (2016). A huge advocate for recreation and engagement in our community, Krista helped deliver the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games and sat on the Board of Directors for the 2018 Alberta Winter Games Wood Buffalo.
Krista is also a tremendous champion of the arts and actively participates in the local theatre community as a volunteer actor with the Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre.
