For 45 years, the Alberta government has recognized those who have made an outstanding impact.
This year's recipients of the Alberta Order of Excellence include Nancy Southern, who is the Chair and CEO of ATCO Ltd., as well as the Executive Vice President and Co-Chair of Tournaments for the world-renowned equestrian show jumping facilities in Foothills County, Spruce Meadows
"The Alberta Order of Excellence inductees for 2024 reflect the best traits the people of our province have to offer: innovation, determination, and a deep-seated commitment to serving others. I know that their stories and their many contributions will serve to inspire fellow Albertans now and in the future," said the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Salma Lakhani in a media release.
Southern's father, Ron Southern was not only of ATCO, but the Spruce Meadows equestrian centre as well.
He created Spruce Meadows because his wife and daughters had an immense interest in equestrian sports and there were no adequate equestrian facilities nearby, and he wanted equestrian athletes in Western Canada to be able to train near home.
Nancy Southern was part of the Candian Equestrian Team from 1975 to 1982 and was also involved in the business side of Spruce Meadows.
She joined the ATCO Board of Directors in 1989 and served as a Co-Chair for 16 years prior to becoming the Chair in 2012.
In 2003, Southern was named the President and CEO of ATCO, which gave her full responsibility to execute ATCO's strategic direction, along with its affiliate Canadian Utilities, and the entire ATCO Group and its ongoing operations, which are made up of 18 companies under the ATCO umbrella.
Currently, Nancy Southern provides direction to over 7,000 employees around the world.
"Spruce Meadows was really good to me in terms of honing my business experience, everything from sales and marketing to logistics and management. I know that it was the best grounding as a businessperson that I could have had," said Southern on the Alberta Order of Excellence website.
During her time leading ATCO, they have responded to some of the worst natural disasters to have happened in Alberta, including the Southern Alberta floods in 2013, the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires, the record-breaking wildfire season in 2023, and the recent Jasper wildfires.
Each time, ATCO mobilized hundreds of employees to help with critical infrastructure support and deploy modular housing for workers and displaced residents.
Under Southern's direction, ATCO was involved in building tiny home villages for the Homes for Heroes project, which helps veterans who are struggling to reintegrate into civilian life,
ATCO also is a supporter of the Invictus Games and is a leading employer of reservists in Alberta.
On top of that, Spruce Meadows has opened their doors to members of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadian) members who are experiencing PTSD so they can train as part of their rehabilitation.
"It’s important for us -- all Canadians -- to demonstrate our respect and our appreciation for their service to our country and the sacrifices that they make on our behalf."
Nancy Southern has also supported women in business, and ATCO and Canadian Utilities' boards have a higher percentage of women than the average TSX-listed companies.
In 2015, Southern was invited by Angela Merkel, who was the Chancellor of Germany at the time, to join 100 global leaders for the G& Forum for Dialogue with Women.
ATCO has also been showing the rest of the country how economic reconciliation can be accomplished with Indigenous communities, through nearly 50 Indigenous partnerships with communities across the country.
Her work with Indigenous communities has allowed Southern to become recognized for her work to build a mutually beneficial relationship with Indigenous communities, and was made an Honorary Chief by the Kainai (Blood Tribe of Alberta) during a traditional ceremony in 2012.
It was there she was given the name Aksistoowa’paakii, which means Brave Woman.
On top of the Order of Excellence, Southern received the British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2020 from Queen Elizabeth II for her role in services to British equestrian, military, and commercial interests in Alberta, as well as the Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Medal.
In 2022, she was awarded the Canadian Business Leader Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Nancy Southern was also named the 2023 Energy Person of the Year by the Energy Council of Canada and received the Lifetime Business Achievement in the Americas Award from the Canadian Council for the Americas the same year.
The Alberta Order of Excellence was created in 1979, and the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, who acts as the King of England's representative, invests members into this group through a ceremony at the Government House in Edmonton.
Now, there are 220 people who have received this award.
To learn more about the Alberta Order of Excellence and to see the full list of this year's recipients, click here.