Key Influencer – Emily Briand – Chief of Staff to the Minister of Advanced Education

Source: LinkedIn

Emily Briand was recently appointed as the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Advanced Education, Myles McDougall. A recent graduate of the University of Alberta, Briand brings more than five years of experience working in ministerial offices and provincial politics. Her appointment underscores her growing role within Alberta’s government and political landscape.   

Prior to becoming Chief of Staff, Briand held several positions within the Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, including ministerial intern, ministerial assistant and policy advisor. She has also been deeply involved in party and constituency-level politics. She served as President of the Wetaskiwin Constituency Association from 2022 to 2023 and as Deputy Campaign Manager during the 2023 provincial election. Additionally, she was Chair of the UCP Next Generation Committee from May 2021 to December 2021.

Briand was born and raised in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. She went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Alberta in 2024, graduating with distinction. While at university, she was actively engaged in student leadership, serving as president of the Campus Conservative Association from 2022 to 2023. Her academic and leadership achievements have been recognized through several awards, including the Howard W. Riley Memorial Scholarship, the Scott Thorkelson Scholarship, and the University of Alberta Undergraduate Leadership Award.