District Governor Brian Edwards

Brian was born in Toronto and spent the first half (50 years) of his life in Ontario. He plans to spend the second half (50 years) in the West.

He has a science degree (Honours B.Sc.) from Queen’s University and MBA from Ivey School of Business at Western University.

 

A lifelong volunteer and coming from a volunteering family he has led youth sports, Boy Scouts, and Junior Achievement. He joined the Rotary Club of Toronto in 2004, being drawn to community involvement that was so very important during his youth.  

 

After moving to Calgary in 2005, he remained connected with Rotary by what would now be known as the volunteer “Community Corps”. One highlight was being part of 7 “sweat equity” trips to sub-Saharan East Africa to build schools, latrines, and wells for fresh water. Another was volunteering at various Rotary initiated “Easter Seals” camps. Service gets into your blood and your being. “I love being a part of the development and improving people’s lives, as others had done for me.”

 

In 2010 he retired from a 30-year career with Esso and Exxon, which took him all around Alberta, Canada, and the globe. Ann & Brian married, and they moved to Edmonton. He worked as Vice-President for Safety, Health, and Environmental Protection for construction company Ledcor. It was wonderful - travelling extensively and continuously, developing new leaders, teaching, auditing, investigating incidents, improving systems and governance, behaviours, culture, and outcomes. Hmm, sounds like being a Rotary District Governor.

 

He rejoined Rotary full-time in 2015 with the Rotary Club of Edmonton, being involved with Youth services, Community services, International services, Fundraising, Sgt.-at-arms, Foundation, and Membership. He quickly joined the board, soon becoming club secretary then President in 2020 – 2021. “I feel that if one believes in an organization’s purpose and values, then one should be part of leading from within.”

 

Ann and Brian have 5 children between them.

Their first grandchild was born in early June 2024.

 

In his free time Brian is a bit of a wood furniture maker.

Ann is very involved with Crestwood Curling Club as Treasurer and avid curler. Each morning he walks in the Edmonton river valley with his dogs, so may need to return your call a bit later in the day.