Celebrating Bold Beginnings: Top 7 Over 70 Gala will occur in Atlantic Canada on May 14, 2026
SPONSORSHIPS AND DONATIONS: See sponsorship chart at the bottom of this page or email Top7atlantic@gmail.com.
TICKETS: To purchase tickets to the event, click here.
NEWS RELEASE: Founder of National “Top 7 Over 70” Movement to Attend Inaugural Atlantic Awards Gala in Halifax
Halifax, NS — Atlantic Canadians who are redefining what it means to age will be honoured on May 14 at the Halifax Convention Centre, when the inaugural Top 7 Over 70 Atlantic Awards Gala celebrates seven extraordinary individuals who launched remarkable new achievements after the age of seventy.
The evening will also welcome Jim Gray of Calgary, founder of the national Top 7 Over 70 movement, who will attend the Atlantic launch of the awards program.
Originally launched in Calgary in 2017, Top 7 Over 70 has grown into a national initiative dedicated to challenging stereotypes about aging by recognizing individuals who begin new ventures, innovations, and contributions later in life. Unlike traditional lifetime achievement awards, the program celebrates new accomplishments started after age seventy.
“Top 7 Over 70 celebrates the idea that experience and curiosity do not diminish with age — they often grow stronger,” said Rick Emberley, co-chair of the Atlantic gala.
The Atlantic edition marks the first time the awards have been held in Eastern Canada and is being organized in partnership with Aging Well Nova Scotia, a province-wide charity dedicated to supporting healthy aging across Mi’kma’ki / Nova Scotia.
“With longer lifespans and changing demographics, recognizing the contributions of older adults is not just important socially — it’s essential economically,” said Dr. Ed Leach, co-chair of the Atlantic gala. “These individuals remind us that innovation, leadership, and purpose continue well into our later years.”
According to Statistics Canada, the country now has more people aged 65 and older than children under 15, and by 2036 seniors could number between 9.9 and 10.9 million.
The May 14 gala will bring together community leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, and advocates for an evening of storytelling, celebration, and connection. Each honouree will be introduced through a short video highlighting their achievements after age seventy, followed by a live on-stage conversation about their journeys.
Founder Jim Gray created Top 7 Over 70 to highlight the extraordinary contributions older adults continue to make in fields such as business, science, arts and culture, education, philanthropy, and community leadership.
“We wanted to demonstrate that experience is one of society’s greatest assets,” Gray has said about the program.
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2026 TOP 7 OVER 70 ATLANTIC RECIPIENTS (Please see longer bios for each individual further down on this page)
Dr. Olive Bryanton: A champion for dignity, voice, and possibility in aging whose advocacy demonstrates that later life can be a time of leadership, discovery, and lasting impact.
Dr. Ken Lee: An internationally respected marine scientist advancing global ocean research while mentoring the next generation of environmental innovators.
John Hamblin: A leader in senior innovation and entrepreneurship championing technology solutions that help older adults remain engaged and connected.
Alan Syliboy: A celebrated Mi’kmaw artist, musician, and storyteller whose work preserves and celebrates Indigenous culture through contemporary creativity.
Carol Smith: A dedicated advocate working to build safer communities for women and families through leadership, courage, and community action.
Karen North: A champion for financial literacy helping individuals and families gain confidence and independence through education and mentorship.
Dr. Leslie Cake: A respected researcher advancing understanding of aging in Atlantic Canada and helping communities prepare for longer, healthier lives.
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AT THE GALA: The Top 7 Over 70 Atlantic Gala is expected to welcome more than 350 guests and will feature storytelling, music, and opportunities for meaningful intergenerational connection.
The evening highlights a powerful message: aging is not a period of decline, but a time of continued creativity, leadership, and contribution.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite, with additional information at: www.top7over70.com
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BACKGROUND: A new chapter of Top 7 Over 70 started in Atlantic Canada this year! The inaugural edition of Top 7 Over 70 will take place on Thursday, May 14th at the Halifax Convention Centre. For sponsorship information, contact Top7atlantic@gmail.com. The intent is to make this the beachhead event and to expand to the other Atlantic province led by local organizers.
The Top 7 Over 70 is more than an awards program — it’s a powerful movement challenging outdated views of aging. This gala doesn’t honour lifetime achievements. Instead, it spotlights new ventures, creative projects, social initiatives, or bold career pivots started after age 70.
Why It Matters
Tapping into Untapped Talent: With more than 22% of Nova Scotians over age 65, the Atlantic provinces are rich in experience, resilience, and wisdom. The gala celebrates these assets — and repositions aging as a time of purpose and potential.
Shaping a Culture of Possibility: Nominees have broken ground in fields from business and science to the arts, reconciliation, philanthropy, mental health, and beyond. Their examples remind us that impact doesn’t have an expiry date.
Driving Economic & Social Value: Older adults returning to work or launching new ventures help bridge labour gaps, stimulate local economies, and mentor younger generations. Through the sister initiative InterGen, the program also fosters cross-generational innovation.
A Night to Remember: Set against the vibrant backdrop of East Coast music, culture, and storytelling, the 2026 gala will honour changemakers in front of a live audience, shining a national spotlight on their stories of transformation and triumph.
MORE INFO ABOUT THE FIRST TOP 7 OVER 70 RECIPIENTS IN ATLANTIC CANADA ….
Dr. Olive Bryanton: Champion for dignity, voice, and possibility in aging
For Dr. Olive Bryanton, turning 70 marked the beginning of a remarkable new chapter of learning, leadership, and advocacy. At an age when many step back from academic life, Olive embarked on one of the most demanding intellectual journeys possible. She pursued a PhD in Education at the University of Prince Edward Island and successfully defended her dissertation at the age of 82. Her research explored the lived experiences of rural women aged 85 and older, bringing visibility and dignity to voices often overlooked in research and public policy. Through this work, she helped deepen understanding of aging in place and the realities faced by older women in rural communities.
“Later life can be a time of discovery, leadership, and lasting impact.”
Since completing her doctorate, Olive has continued to expand her influence well beyond academia. She is a passionate advocate for older persons, working locally, nationally, and internationally to challenge ageism and promote aging with dignity. As a Commissioner on the global Lancet Commission on Person-Centred Long-Term Care for Older People, she helped establish the Older Persons Advisory Group to ensure the voices and lived experiences of older adults inform international policy discussions. In Canada, Olive has played a key role in the Canadian Coalition Against Ageism and leads the PEI Network to Confront Ageism, helping communities support aging in place and strengthen respect for older adults.
Dr. Olive Bryanton’s journey reminds us that later life can be a time of discovery, leadership, and lasting impact—and that purpose has no age limit.
Impact: Redefining aging as a time of purpose, scholarship, and leadership.
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Dr. Ken Lee: Advancing global ocean science and protecting marine ecosystems
For Dr. Ken Lee, turning 70 was not the end of a distinguished career; it was the beginning of a new phase of global leadership in environmental science. A Halifax-born marine scientist, Dr. Lee spent decades shaping Canada’s research capacity in marine environmental protection, including serving as National Senior Science Advisor for Oil Spill Research, Preparedness, and Response at Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Since retiring from the federal government in 2022, his influence has only grown. Rather than stepping back, he has expanded his leadership across international research collaborations, mentorship, and scientific innovation aimed at protecting the world’s oceans.
Today, Dr. Lee chairs the Advisory and Technical Advisory Committees for Canada’s Multi-Partner Research Initiative under the Oceans Protection Plan, helping guide one of the country’s largest collaborative programs advancing oil-spill science and marine environmental protection. The initiative connects universities, government agencies, industry partners, and Indigenous communities to develop new technologies and science-based solutions for safeguarding marine ecosystems.
“Experience, curiosity, and collaboration can drive innovation at any age.”
Dr. Lee also continues to mentor the next generation of scientists as an Adjunct Professor and thesis supervisor at several universities in Canada and the United States. Through these roles — and through his company, Kenneth Lee Research Inc. — he continues to support students, researchers, and innovators working at the intersection of environmental science, engineering, and public policy.
His leadership and contributions have been recognized internationally with major honours, including the International Oil Spill Conference Lifetime Achievement Award and election as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. For Dr. Ken Lee, the goal of this new chapter is simple: to continue creating opportunities for others and advancing science that protects our oceans.
Impact: Advancing global marine science while mentoring the next generation of environmental innovators.
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John Hamblin: Championing senior innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship
For John Hamblin, turning 70 marked the beginning of a new chapter dedicated to helping others reimagine what later life can become. After a successful career in technology and business leadership — including serving as President of Clarke IT Solutions — John chose not to slow down, but to reinvest his experience in supporting entrepreneurs, innovators, and older adults seeking new opportunities.
In his seventies, he has become a passionate advocate for what he calls “seniorpreneurs,” encouraging older adults to see retirement not as an ending, but as a time to launch new ideas, ventures, and contributions. Through mentorship, investment, and community leadership, John has helped guide startups, supported emerging founders, and strengthened Atlantic Canada’s innovation ecosystem.
“Retirement isn’t an ending — it’s an opportunity to build something new.”
Entrepreneurs credit his hands‑on guidance, strategic insight, and willingness to roll up his sleeves with helping transform early ideas into successful businesses that now employ people and serve customers around the world. A strong believer in the potential of technology to enhance independence and quality of life for older adults, John has also championed projects exploring how voice‑activated tools such as Google Home can help seniors remain connected, autonomous, and confident in their daily lives.
Now approaching 80, John continues to educate seniors about emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and digital safety, helping them navigate a rapidly changing digital world with confidence.
Impact: Empowering older adults to innovate, launch ventures, and shape the future economy.
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Dr. Alan Syliboy: Celebrating Mi’kmaw culture through art, music, and storytelling
For Dr. Alan Syliboy, turning 70 marked the beginning of a powerful new chapter of artistic leadership and cultural expression. A renowned Mi’kmaw painter, author, musician, and storyteller from Millbrook First Nation, Syliboy has spent decades sharing the stories, symbols, and spirit of Mi’kma’ki through his art. In his seventies, however, his work has taken on renewed purpose—expanding the reach of Mi’kmaw visual language and making it accessible to new generations and broader audiences.
Drawing inspiration from ancient Mi’kmaw petroglyphs, Syliboy has re‑imagined these traditional forms as a living, evolving visual language that connects past and present. His work appears not only in galleries but also in public spaces and community settings where it encourages reflection, healing, and dialogue. Through this creative approach, Syliboy helps strengthen cultural identity for Indigenous communities while fostering deeper understanding among non‑Indigenous audiences.
“Culture is not something preserved in the past — it is something we continue to create.”
In recent years, he has deepened his role as a mentor and cultural guide, sharing knowledge with emerging artists and young people who see in his work a powerful affirmation that Mi’kmaw culture remains vibrant and relevant today. The establishment of his studio in Millbrook has further strengthened this connection between artistic practice, community, and cultural continuity.
Syliboy’s continued evolution as an artist demonstrates that later life can be a time of renewal, creativity, and influence.
Impact: Strengthening cultural identity and bringing Mi’kmaw visual language to new generations.
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Karen North: Inspiring financial confidence for the next generation
“It is never too late to find your voice and use it to help others succeed.”
When Karen North turned 70, she stepped into a role she had never imagined for herself: mentor, advocate, and public speaker for the next generation. After transitioning her family-owned business to the next generation, Karen joined a federally funded intergenerational mentoring initiative supported by New Horizons for Seniors.
What began as a quiet desire to give back soon evolved into something much larger. Working with rural high schools, Karen shared her lived experience as a self‑made business owner in the trades, using hands‑on demonstrations and real‑world stories to engage students in conversations about careers, independence, and financial responsibility.
Through her direct engagement with youth, Karen recognized a critical gap: many students were leaving school without the financial knowledge needed to navigate adult life. Determined to address this challenge, she helped bring together educators, financial professionals, community leaders, and elected officials to advance financial literacy initiatives within schools and communities.
Her leadership helped spark mentoring programs, classroom initiatives, and collaborative events that connected students with practical financial guidance. Karen’s work ultimately reached more than a thousand students across several high schools, encouraging them to think differently about money, responsibility, and opportunity.
Once hesitant to speak publicly, Karen now confidently addresses classrooms, conferences, and community gatherings—demonstrating that growth and courage have no age limit.
Impact: Empowering youth with the knowledge and confidence to build financially responsible futures.
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Dr. Leslie Cake: Advancing research on aging in Atlantic Canada
“Understanding aging is not just about studying later life — it’s about helping communities prepare for the future.”
For Dr. Leslie Cake, turning 70 was not a signal to slow down — it was an opportunity to help build something that would shape the future of aging research in Newfoundland and Labrador.
A respected psychologist and long‑time faculty member at Grenfell Campus of Memorial University, Dr. Cake spent decades studying human development and community wellbeing. Yet one gap in Canada’s research landscape continued to concern him: Newfoundland and Labrador — the country’s most rapidly aging province — had no dedicated centre focused on aging research.
Determined to change that reality, Dr. Cake helped lead the effort that ultimately created the Aging Research Centre–Newfoundland and Labrador (ARC‑NL), which officially opened in 2018 — the very year he turned 70.
Since then, he has remained deeply involved in shaping the centre’s direction as a member of its Management Board, helping guide its research agenda and ensuring its work reflects the real needs of older adults across the province.
Dr. Cake has also continued his own scholarly work. As Professor Emeritus and Honorary Research Professor, he has led research exploring attitudes toward older adults in rural communities and is currently contributing to projects aimed at improving digital literacy and technology training for older adults.
Through research, mentorship, and advocacy, Dr. Cake continues to demonstrate that curiosity, leadership, and impact do not retire. His work has helped establish a lasting research platform that will support healthier aging for generations to come.
Impact: Helping build Atlantic Canada’s first dedicated research centre focused on aging and improving the lives of older adults.
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Carol Smith: Building safer communities for women and families
“The best solutions come from communities that refuse to look away.”
When Carol Smith turned 70, retirement did not slow her down — it sharpened her focus. After decades of serving rural communities in Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia as a minister and community leader, Carol turned her energy toward one of the most urgent issues she had witnessed throughout her life: the lack of safe housing options for women and children leaving abusive relationships in rural communities.
The result was taking a leadership role in the creation of Jane’s Place Society, an initiative working to establish second-stage transitional housing in Queens County for families rebuilding their lives after gender-based violence. Since being a key person on the team which launched the initiative, Carol has helped bring together community leaders, municipal officials, volunteers and donors to transform the idea of Jane’s Place into a growing community effort.
Known for her collaborative leadership style, Carol consistently emphasizes that the project belongs to the community as a whole. Her ability to bring people together around a shared purpose reflects her belief that lasting change happens when communities work together.
Beyond Jane’s Place, Carol continues to organize Queens County’s December 6 National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women and helps coordinate International Women’s Day events—ensuring that the voices and experiences of women in rural communities are not forgotten.
Those who know Carol describe her as determined, compassionate, and fearless in speaking out for those who feel unheard. Her advocacy has inspired others to step forward—proving that leadership and courage do not diminish with age.
Impact: Mobilizing communities to create safer futures for women and families across rural Nova Scotia
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