The holiday season isn’t just a time for festive lights and gift-giving. It’s a time to recognize those who embody the true essence of generosity, community and joy all year round. At The Calgary Airport Authority, that someone is Laura W., an Administrative Assistant who is much more than her title suggests.

It’s hard not to feel the magic of the season Laura is around. Whether it’s Thanksgiving or Valentine’s Day, Halloween or the holidays, Laura dresses the part and brings a contagious energy that makes you believe in the power of festive cheer.

“My favourite thing to do for [our team] during the holidays is to decorate and bake for them,” says Laura. “For the last three weekends, I baked cookies as a way to say thank you and spread some holiday cheer! It’s a little treat to show appreciation of all the things everyone does.”

But what truly makes Laura shine isn’t just her holiday outfits or her sweet trays of homemade treats (though her baking is legendary). It’s the way she shows up for her community, heart first.

Laura is a driving force behind The Authority’s monthly volunteering efforts at The Mustard Seed. Whether it’s organizing shifts or rolling up her sleeves to help, Laura is always there, making time to lend a hand and offer a warm smile to the ones who need it most.

“I like working here [The Authority] because of the collaboration,” says Laura. “I joined in 2015, so we were all working together as one team to build the new terminal. I thought this was just for the project, but then as the years went by, I learned this is the norm – we share and work together, no matter the project.”

From her volunteer work to her festive cheer, Laura’s a shining example of what it means to be a Holiday Hero. Thank you, Laura, for making spirits bright and reminding us all of the joy that comes from giving back.