Canadian of the Month

This month, we’re thrilled to feature comedian, actor, writer, and wellness trailblazer Carla Collins, whose uniquely Canadian charm and brilliantly off-kilter comedic lens offer the perfect close to our 2025 series. Here’s our conversation with Carla — a Q&A filled with humour, honesty, and the kind of perspective only she can deliver. 

Steven Hu, from Vancouver, BC, joined the Canadian Forces when he was still in high school at 16 years old after his parents signed a waiver. Steven served in the Intelligence Branch from 2018-2023, and did an overseas deployment in 2022. Nowadays, he works in the content security field in Los Angeles, working with major studios and their vendors to ensure that their intellectual property and sensitive information is protected.

From the rugged landscapes of British Columbia to the vibrant streets of Los Angeles, Elyse Dodge has built a career transforming natural scenery into bold, geometric dreamscapes. A contemporary landscape artist and designer, Elyse reimagines familiar vistas as faceted, prismatic worlds that are at once structured and organic, vibrant and tranquil. Drawing on her Canadian roots and a lifelong immersion in art and craftsmanship, she invites viewers to experience their surroundings through a fresh, captivating lens, turning ordinary spaces into unforgettable destinations.

Festif is hand-crafted by David Bly, a Montreal native whose dedication to crafting cocktails spans nearly two decades in New York and LA’s vibrant bar scenes where he developed a deep appreciation for amaro, often experimenting with the bitter digestifs collecting dust on the back bars. 

Born and raised in Montreal, to Malagasy immigrant parents, Will Raojenina (known as WCMTL) is a multidisciplinary artist whose work delves into the intricacies of human connection. Now based in Los Angeles, he channels his lived experiences into a powerful exploration of emotion and the struggles that shape individuals across all walks of life. Through vibrant pieces, WCMTL invites viewers to look beyond surface differences, fostering empathy and deeper understanding through art. 

Born in Ottawa, Tyler Ham Pong first appeared onstage as Lorenzo in “The Merchant of Venice” at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. He would later move to New York City to further his acting career where he wrote and starred in “Moony Mercury” Off-Off-Broadway. He also wrote and produced “Two Days ’til Dawn” at the Gene Frankel Theatre, NYC. 

Martina Stritesky brings to the table 20 years of creative direction and full-service event production experience to each and every event she touches. Based in Los Angeles, but having produced noteworthy events around the world, Martina is known for her creativity, professionalism, taste in quiet luxury and sophisticated attention to every last detail.

Katrina is a Canadian-born entrepreneur, leadership mentor, and co-founder of MILO Human Care—a personal care brand on a mission to redefine beauty, reduce overconsumption, and help people reconnect with what really matters, to them. With roots in leadership development and culture building, Katrina is passionate about helping people reclaim their autonomy, trust their intuition, and create lives and businesses that create ripples of impact and contribute to a thriving ecosystem.

Like many liberal arts students I had no idea what I wanted to do after I graduated. A career counselor at Western University suggested that since I’d majored in media studies (shout out MIT! Shout out Professor Blackmore!) and loved to yap, I should explore public relations.