Officers and Governors

The Honourable Lois Mitchell is a career businesswoman and a proud, longstanding member of Canada’s dedicated corps of community volunteers. She served as the 18th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta from June 12, 2015, until she completed her five-year term on Aug. 26, 2020.

During her tenure in office, she chose to make history education a priority and became founding Patron of the History and Heroes Foundation, of which she is now the chair. Mitchell is one of the founders and currently co-chair of the Global Business Forum, an annual conference held in Banff, Alta., founded in 2000, which provides an opportunity for international executives, academia and government leaders to discuss and debate crucial global economic issues.

In 2015, Mitchell received Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from both the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary, became a Dame of Justice of the Order of St. John and received the Alberta Order of Excellence. In 2012, she was named a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2018, she received the Louie Kamookak medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

Vice-President of the Executive Committee of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Joseph also chairs the College of Fellows and serves on the Society’s Policy and Planning Committee. He was a participant in the 2014 Victoria Strait Expedition that discovered Sir John Franklin’s flagship, HMS Erebus. 

A past Vice-President and Director of The Explorers Club (New York City), Joseph previously chaired its Canadian Chapter and received both the Club’s Citation of Merit and the Stefansson Medal for his leadership. He is currently leading the HMCS Canada Expedition — a deepwater scientific and commemorative mission to document Canada’s first purpose-built warship. 

A retired commissioned officer in both the Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Navy, Joseph has written extensively on field sciences, geography, and polar history. His work has appeared in TIME, The Globe and Mail, National Post, Canadian Geographic, Geographical, The Medical Post, The Explorers Journal, and numerous other publications across five countries. He has contributed to five books on exploration and polar science, including the Canadian bestseller Franklin’s Lost Ship: The Historic Discovery of HMS Erebus. 

Joseph holds a Combined Honours B.A. with majors in History and Geography and a minor in First Nations Anthropology/Archaeology from York University, as well as a B.Ed. in History and Geography from the University of Toronto. 

Antoine Courchesne-Normandin is an urban mobility professional living in the National Capital Region. He has implemented performance reporting systems for Quebec’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Ottawa’s Light Rail Train. He has also been involved in transit network design and interprovincial mobility planning. 

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies and Geography from Université de Montréal and a Master of Science in Transport Studies from Imperial College London. During his undergraduate studies, he spent several months in Indonesia as a Canada World Youth participant and later completed a semester abroad at Shandong University in China.

Antoine was a Postgraduate Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society during his studies in the United Kingdom and has been a full Fellow and Chartered Geographer (CGeog) since 2017. He became a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in 2018, Vice Chair of the Fellows Committee in 2019 and a Governor of the Society in 2022. He was awarded the Louie Kamookak Medal in 2022 in recognition for his work with the Society. 

Jim Carter, CD, CPA, served as a logistics officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force for 30 years and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. 

In the position of Senior Logistics Officer of 4 Wing Cold Lake, Jim worked with the World Wildlife Fund, oil and gas companies, the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, and federal agencies to advance the creation of ecological protected areas in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range area. 

Upon retirement from the military in 2006, Jim was employed in National Defence as the Director of  Infrastructure and Environment Group Comptrollership. In this position, he was responsible for all financial and business planning activity associated with the construction, operation and maintenance of Canadian Forces infrastructure.

From 2012 until July 2018, Jim was a volunteer in the not-for-profit sector in Ottawa. He was a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels organization and provided weekly support and friendship to an intellectually disabled young man in the Ottawa area. In addition, Jim co-led a weekly running and exercise program for outpatients of the Royal Ottawa Hospital Schizophrenic clinic.

In recognition of his volunteer work, the Governor General awarded Jim the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.

In 2016, Jim was elected a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) and was appointed as Treasurer and Governor of the RCGS in June of 2022.

Jim is currently a volunteer at the Helen Schuler Nature Center in Lethbridge and is the Event Director of the weekly Henderson Lake Parkrun in Lethbridge. Jim is an avid endurance athlete and has completed 27 marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and completed the Calgary Half Ironman race in August 2021.

Paul VanZant has devoted more than three decades of his life to advancing geographic literacy across Canada and beyond. A Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society since 2012, he has championed geography at every level – from shaping curriculum and mentoring educators to
leading high-profile initiatives that amplify the Society’s mission.

Paul has served in numerous influential roles, including as President of the Ontario Association
for Geographic and Environmental Education and as a curriculum writer and reviewer for the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Since 2018, VanZant has chaired the Canadian Geographic Education Executive Committee, helping shape its national programs and initiatives that strengthen classroom learning and elevate public awareness of geographic and geospatial literacy.

He previously served two terms on the RCGS Board of Governors, during which time he was the board liaison for the Can Geo Executive Committee and a member of the Fellows Committee.
More recently, VanZant has been co-coach for Team Canada at the International Geography
Olympiad, an organization he has co-Chaired since 2024.

For his contributions to geographic education, VanZant was awarded the Society’s Alex Trebek Medal for Geographic Literacy in 2006, and in 2013, the Peel District School Board recognized his “unique and exemplary contributions to public education in Peel and the Peel community”
with an Excellence in Education Award. In 2017, he received the OAGEE Award of Distinction
“recognizing an outstanding contribution in advancing, promoting, and improving the quality of
geography education in the Province of Ontario.” In 2025, VanZant was awarded the Charles Camsell Medal for his outstanding service to the Society.

Gavin Fitch practices in the areas of environmental and energy regulatory law at McLennan Ross LLP in Calgary. He represents clients before administrative tribunals such as the Alberta Utilities Commission, the Alberta Energy Regulator, the Canadian Energy Regulator and the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board. Fitch has extensive experience acting in provincial and federal environmental approval and energy permitting processes for oil and gas facilities, mining projects and electric power facilities. He also has expertise in the field of Indigenous law and has been a Chief Negotiator for Canada at a number of modern treaty negotiation tables in B.C. and Yukon for over 10 years.

Fitch has been widely recognized for his achievements within his field by organizations such as Lexpert, Chambers Canada, Who’s Who Legal – Canada and Best Lawyers in Canada. In 2015 Fitch was awarded his Q.C. (Queen’s Counsel). He completed his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Alberta, his master’s degree in communications at Syracuse University and his law degree at Dalhousie University.

He is also a map geek and wannabe explorer who undertakes extended backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies every summer.

For nearly four decades, Jett Britnell has charted the farthest reaches of the map, Nikon cameras in hand, driven by insatiable curiosity and a deep reverence for the natural world. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, he has gained international acclaim as an underwater, wildlife, and expedition photographer, capturing hidden corners of the planet with both precision and poetic vision. A Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and The Explorers Club, his honours reflect a lifelong commitment to exploration and the advancement of geographic understanding. In December 2025, he concluded a maximum four-year term as Chapter Chair of The Explorers Club’s Canadian Chapter.

Britnell’s career began more than 37 years ago with a passion for documenting the underwater realm. He quickly became one of British Columbia’s most prominent voices for marine conservation, using his photography and writing to reveal the province’s extraordinary cold-water ecosystems, now recognized among the richest and most diverse on Earth. His work has been published worldwide and graced 59 magazine covers, earning him the respect of peers. Together with his wife, Kathryn Britnell, FRCGS, he co-authors their Third Age Expeditions column for Luxe Beat Magazine, blending adventure, cultural insight, environmental advocacy, and striking photography.

Conservation remains central to Britnell’s work. Whether advocating for endangered marine species, protecting fragile ecosystems, or bringing the wild to life through public talks, he approaches every project with the sensibility of a storyteller and the resolve of an explorer. His advocacy extends beyond the oceans, serving as an advisor to Elephanatics, a Canadian nonprofit dedicated to ending the domestic trade in elephant ivory and strengthening protections for African elephants.

Website: www.jettbritnell.com

Andrew Kitchen is an accomplished educator based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with over 11 years of experience teaching middle years science and social studies. He
is deeply committed to advancing educational practices and resources, contributing to organizations such as Social Studies Saskatchewan, the Social Studies Educators Network of Canada, the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Institute, and Canadian Geographic Education.

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Regina and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan. In 2017, he earned a Master of Education with a specialization in Outdoor Education, which has inspired
numerous outdoor initiatives and the development of innovative, hands-on learning experiences for students.

In recognition of his contributions to education and geography, Andrew was named a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in 2016. He was further honored in 2020 with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his outstanding work in
education. Andrew was elected to the Board of Governors in 2025.

Beyond the classroom, Andrew serves as Vice-President of the Saskatchewan Soccer Association and actively supports soccer development across the province and Canada.
He has twin boys whose names are inspired by geography, reflecting his lifelong passion for the subject.

Akaash Maharaj is CEO of the Mosaic Institute, and leads its work strengthening pluralism within societies and peace between nations. Mosaic brings together people, communities and states to foster mutual understanding and to resolve conflicts.

He also serves as Ambassador-at-Large for the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, and has addressed the United Nations on international prosecution of Crimes Against Humanity.

A frequent contributor to international debate, his articles have been published by newspapers in every populated continent, he was a broadcast essayist with TVOntario’s “The Agenda” and Maclean’s magazine named him one of Canada’s 50 “most well known and respected personalities.”

Outside of his professional life, he is a national athlete, and was a triple gold medallist at the International Championships of Equestrian Skill‑at‑Arms. He subsequently led the Canadian Equestrian team and federation as CEO, to the team’s most successful Olympics and Paralympics of all time.

Maharaj earned his Master of Arts from Oxford University, in philosophy, politics, and economics, and was the first overseas student elected President of the student government in the history of the 900 year-old university. He completed further studies at the United Nations University and the Sorbonne Université.

An active volunteer, he has taught adult literacy and has served as on a range of international and local community boards. He is fluent in English and French.

Maharaj’s personal web site is www.Maharaj.org.

Ted is currently the Director, Airport Operations for Porter Airlines in Toronto, and an emerging leader in the transportation industry, with experience in disciplines from finance to strategy, and operations to contract negotiation & bargaining.

He holds an MA (Honours) from King’s College London and an MBA from the Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario. Ted has also volunteered for Sunnybrook Hospital, the Toronto Police, and Community Food Centres Canada.

He’s currently the President & Chair of the Meighen Family Foundation, Vice Chair of The Mabin School and sits on the Board at the Institute for Advancements in Mental Health as Treasurer. Ted also acts as a volunteer mentor to young entrepreneurs and companies.

Zac Robinson is a historian and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta. A writer and teacher of mountain history and literature, he is a longtime Vice President of the Alpine Club of Canada, a co-editor of the Club’s annual State of the Mountains Report, and a regular contributor to the Canadian Alpine Journal. He is also the co-creator of UofA’s Mountains 101, a massive open online course dedicated to all things mountains, for which he received the RCGS’s Alex Trebek Medal for Geographic Literacy in 2022.

An avid climber and backcountry skier, Robinson co-led an RCGS-sponsored scientific expedition to Mount Logan in 2021, which remeasured and confirmed the official height of Canada’s highest peak. For his contributions to geography, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. Robinson became the Chair of the RCGS Expeditions Committee in 2021, and was elected to the Board of Governors in 2023.