The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal Recipients

We are thrilled to share that three outstanding STARS team members recently received The Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.

The recipients – a pilot, a board member, and a leader on the fundraising team – were recognized for their significant contributions to their home provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Jason Arthur joined STARS in 2019 and works out of the Calgary base as a pilot and Director of Flight Operations. Before that, he was a pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) from 2004 to 2014 and has worked offshore and as a private pilot. He is a graduate of Mount Royal University, where he continues to give back to the aviation program.

He is honoured to receive the medal.

“I feel fortunate to have had the opportunities I have had with the Royal Canadian Air Force and STARS serving Canadians with an amazing team of colleagues,” he said.

Doug Anderson, president and CEO of Peavey Industries and volunteer board member for STARS, was also recognized at a recent ceremony in Red Deer. Anderson, who is a strong proponent for building stronger communities, congratulated the other recipients.

“I am honoured to receive the medal and equally honoured to have been nominated by the Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association, another organization I admire greatly,” said Anderson. “Being among the company of two other STARS recipients is amazing and I send my heartfelt congratulations to them and all the medal recipients.”

Terri Harris-Strunk, Chief Fundraising and Brand Officer at STARS, was honoured in Saskatchewan for her deep commitment to the community.

Before joining STARS, Harris-Strunk spent 15 years with the Government of Saskatchewan, serving as a senior advisor and Chief of Operations to Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall. She also sits on the board of directors for the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. She began her career in the Saskatchewan media in 1985 and worked with Rawlco Radio, Yorkton Broadcasting Company and CTV.

“It is a very humbling and a wonderful honour to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal,” she said. “Thank you to the Government of Saskatchewan for recognizing residents who have wanted nothing more than to give back to our amazing province with this program.”