Allan McKeown is a dedicated member of Climate Action Sarnia-Lambton and has previously stood as a candidate for the local Green Party. His deep passion for environmental issues drives his commitment to protecting and preserving our natural surroundings, making him a valuable advocate within his community.
Andrew Wilton is a newcomer to the Sarnia scene, transplanted from Waterloo where he was the editor of a monthly community newsletter. He is keenly interested in how art, creativity, and work on the local level can shape the wider world around us. He is a father of three, an experienced chef, a lifelong writer of speculative fiction, a student of philosophy and ideas, a Dungeon Master, a bass player, and a novice balloon twister.
Gordon Bourgon calls Sarnia his home. Most of his working life was spent in the food industry. He did brief stints in construction, landscaping, as a drum instructor and part time musician. Semi-retired now, he is a holistic nutritionist, and professional cleaner. He has had short fiction as well as some non-fiction pieces published in Canada, U.K. and the USA. He is excited to rediscover his community and write about it.
Helen Cole is a dedicated advocate for women in leadership, particularly in politics. As the Founder of The Jean Collective, she empowers women to step into leadership roles. Helen offers a range of support, from campaign strategy & support to hosting Women’s Leadership Conferences in Elgin, Middlesex and Lambton Counties. Her journey into leadership eventually lead her to serve as a municipal councillor in the City of St. Thomas and to hold leadership positions, including managing the local Canadian Cancer Society. Inspired by her mentor, Jean McDougall, Helen founded The Jean Collective to help more women enter politics and/or community leadership.
Katie Freeman is a born and bred Sarnian with a preoccupation for people and culture/art at large. Tackling the big picture and how it relates to the human experience is what keeps her curious. She has an English Lit & Rhetoric degree from the University of Waterloo, a cat, and crippling addiction to fantasy novels.
Manjit, a retired anesthetist turned entrepreneur, was the heart of our community as the owner and operator of Sitara, a beloved restaurant. Described as an amazing role model and outstanding individual, Manjit's kindness, compassion, and generosity were evident in every smiling interaction with patrons and neighbors alike.
Hello Sarnia! I am a graduate of Western University with a specialization in genetics and biochemistry. As the founder and Head of Education at Tutor Labs Canada, I am highly invested and passionate about supporting students in their academic journeys and seeing them thrive in and out of the classroom. Outside of my professional life, I am an avid snowboarder, dog mom, and a published author, I enjoy exploring both the scientific and creative worlds through writing and education.
Nathan Colquhoun, a former city councillor in Sarnia, is known for his involvement in community and politics. He owns the Sarnia Journal and has co-founded several businesses including Refined Fool Brewing Company, Burger Rebellion, Storyboard Solutions, and Listenology. He is dedicated to building just systems within Sarnia and remains actively engaged in various initiatives.
Personal and Professional Leadership Coach Has been coaching professionally for 15 years. Prior to that Rick was a pastor and also a Director of Leadership with a denomination for 20 years. He grew up on a farm in southwestern Ontario before moving to Toronto and becoming an independent business owner in the food industry. He and his wife Ellen live in Sarnia and have 3 grown children and 12 grandchildren.
Since 2015, Robert Dickieson has embraced Sarnia as his home, infusing it with the rich perspectives he's gained from his Munich, Germany origins and extensive travels across Canada, North American and many places around the globe. With a keen interest in urban planning, Robert is especially passionate about incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion into the fabric of city design. A relentless advocate for active transportation, he's frequently seen exploring Sarnia by bike or on foot. Beyond his professional life in regulatory veterinary medicine, Robert is a devoted father, husband, and an enthusiastic sourdough baker.
Rodney Beatty offers a candid perspective on fairness, governance, and modern life in his new column for the Sarnia Journal. Drawing on his background in municipal leadership, community development, and senior business management, he blends personal reflections with a commitment to positive change, aiming to spark meaningful conversations and challenge readers to see issues from new angles.
Samantha is a young Haudenosaunee woman with ancestry from the Mohawk Nation territory of Akwesasne, living and building her career in the Sarnia Lambton community since 2013. Samantha is a Communications Advisor with pipikwan pêhtâkwan but in her free time, she is an active writer, birder, and volunteer with several community organizations. She is dedicated to leading collaborative initiatives that empower youth, young professionals, and marginalized voices as co-founder of the Sarnia Journal's Young & Excellent podcast.
Tya Emberseed is a terminally online Sarnia resident whose persuasive writing challenges the deeply held biases that keep us from growing together as a community. Their columns link local events and debates to the broader societal trends and systemic issues shaping them. Spotify shill, chronic binge-watcher, and novice tarantula keeper, Tya crawls the web, lurking through comment sections to get a pulse on what people are really thinking when masks are off.
