Global News Community and Culture Panel
The Global News Community and Culture panel: Three Edmontonians with deep ties to Our City join Jennifer Crosby each month to dish on current events and hot topics.
We won’t always agree – but we will help you navigate the issues of the day, take a lighthearted look at topical trends and add some insight into the conversation underway in the wider world around us.
Meet the Global News Community and Culture Panel:
Maggie Barton Baird
Maggie Barton Baird is one of Edmonton’s biggest fans after landing in the city more than 12 years ago. Through the theatre and startup community, Maggie has had the immense privilege of experiencing many facets of Edmonton’s vibrancy. In her professional work as an event planner for some of the city’s most exciting events, Maggie gets to help create memories for Edmontonians across the city.
When asked what life would look like if we weren’t grappling with a pandemic, Maggie shares, “If it weren’t COVID, I would have spent the summer driving around the city with linens, catering & lighting equipment in my car. Instead I got to explore Alberta in a mask.”
Yonathan Sumamo
Yonathan Sumamo is a new member of the Art Gallery of Alberta Board, a longtime volunteer and member of the Edmonton International Film Festival board, and a dedicated home chef (witness his cooking accomplishments on his Instagram). An ardent supporter of local sports (like our newly crowned champions, the Edmonton Stingers), Yonathan is a PR professional whose earliest work included stints in several newsrooms across Alberta. He can often be seen making a fashion statement in downtown Edmonton, or just eating and drinking what some of Edmonton’s best has to offer.
When asked to share something about himself no one else knows (yet), Yonathan confesses, “I have my Christmas tree up for a quarter of the year. Not because I am too lazy to take it down, but because I love Christmas that much.”
Editor’s note: “Christmas: overjoyed or overblown” is sure to be a topic for future panel discussions.
Janis Galloway
Pre-COVID you’ve likely seen Janis Galloway at everything from fashion galas, to arts events, to restaurant openings and more as someone who loves to discover and celebrate Edmonton’s social scene. She is known by many as one of Edmonton’s biggest fashion cheerleaders as a former popular fashion blogger, freelance fashion journalist and wardrobe stylist by night and Fashion PR pro by day supporting major household brands as well as local indie brands to thrive in our city.
When asked for tips on rocking work from home fashion, Janis says, “This is going to be VERY controversial, but I actually think putting on proper pants is more important than trying to look good from the waist up! Putting on pants in the morning helps to differentiate “home time” from “work time” and can set you up for a more productive day feeling put together. After your work day is done, throw on those sweat pants and you’ll be able to mentally shut off and relax for the evening.”