Rooted in Edmonton. Guided by the Voice of Edmonton
Bio Olney Tugwell
Olney Tugwell – Candidate for Mayor
Born in Toronto and raised in Edmonton, Olney Tugwell’s journey has been shaped by resilience, community, and service. Raised by his mother and grounded by the values of h is grandparents, James and Ester Wright, who immigrated to Canada in the 1970s, Olney learned early the importance of hard work, faith, and perseverance.
A proud graduate of M.E. Lazarte High School, where he excelled in basketball, Olney earned a full athletic scholarship to the University of Mary in North Dakota. Returning home, he pursued higher education at Concordia University of Edmonton, graduating in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with minors in Religion and History. He later achieved a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration in 2023.
Olney’s professional career spans over two decades of service in youth work, social services, and justice. His roles have included Child and Youth Care Worker, Generalist with Alberta’s Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program, and Probation Officer serving Lac La Biche and surrounding Indigenous and Métis communities. Through this work, Olney
collaborated with provincial governments, executive teams, and Ministers to develop innovative initiatives, including leadership engagement strategies now adopted at municipal levels.
Today, as Health and Wellness Director at Heart Lake First Nation’s Kohls School, Olney
continues to dedicate his leadership to strengthening families and supporting youth.
With deep roots in Edmonton and a lifetime of public service, Olney Tugwell brings the
experience, integrity, and vision needed to lead our city into a future of opportunity, equity, and growth.
