Post by Huda Kashif

Still reflecting on what an incredible evening the NATO Association of Canada’s Reception of Honour Gala 2026 was, proudly presented by BMO. From the lively opening reception to the engaging panel discussion, the event brought together an amazing intergenerational audience of students, interns, military members, policymakers, and industry leaders. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of connecting across sectors to better understand and respond to today’s evolving security landscape. Hearing from this year’s Louis St. Laurent Award recipients, Frances Allen CMM, CD, ICD.D, Blake Goldring, C.M., O.Ont., CFA, Blake Hutcheson, and Ms Rose M Patten, was truly inspiring. Their reflections on resilience, leadership, and Canada’s role in a complex global environment were both timely and thought provoking. A particularly meaningful moment was seeing Jean Riley present the awards, continuing the legacy of Louis St. Laurent and Canada’s longstanding commitment to NATO. Congratulations to Mr. Jake Rooke on being named Young Trailblazer of the Year! It was a pleasure to support this important event alongside the NATO Association of Canada team. Thank you to Ms. Bogdana Torbina, Ms. Lana Kharlip, MPA, Mr. Robert Baines, and Hon. David Collenette, for their outstanding leadership in bringing the evening together. A huge shout out to my fellow interns for their hard work, energy, and dedication in making the night such a success. #NAOC #NATOCanada #BMO #TorontoEvents #Gala #StudentLeadership #InternshipTeam