Meet leadership donor Linda Southern-Heathcott. The President and CEO of Spruce Meadows, she has shown through her years of service how much she believes in creating community.
“It’s very important to gather together,” she says. “That’s how you keep a community strong.”
“And music is the soul of gathering,” she adds. “I do think it’s a fundamental part of who we are in Canada, how we gather together, and how we create memories.”
Spruce Meadows and CKUA both have community-building at their core. Lifting up Albertan and Canadian talent is also an important part of the mission of each.
Southern-Heathcott is a former equestrian Olympian. In addition to her life-long connection to Spruce Meadows (her parents started the equestrian venue in 1975) she is also Chair of Travel Alberta and Honourary Lieutenant Colonel of the King’s Own Calgary Regiment.
In 2025, she received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for ‘outstanding service to Alberta, Canada, and her fellow citizens.’
“We are grateful for the philanthropic support of Linda Southern-Heathcott,” says Kevin Fitzgerald, CKUA’s Chief Development Officer.
“Linda has given back to the province of Alberta in many ways, including through her outstanding work as CEO of Spruce Meadows. This relationship feels like a natural fit between two legacy institutions, with Spruce Meadows having recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and CKUA preparing to commemorate its 100th birthday.”
Southern-Heathcott says she is happy to contribute to CKUA’s success.
“I’m very lucky. I’m very fortunate,” she says, “and I think it is very important that we support initiatives to support and maintain the history and the tradition of our province and of our country. I want to see CKUA continue from its original roots.”
Both CKUA and Spruce Meadows are rooted in Alberta and yet global in their reach.
“We really align that way,” says Southern-Heathcott.
When it comes to music, her tastes are similarly eclectic. “I listen to everything and I love everything but my favourite is country music. I really like classical music as well.”
Her all-time favourite song is “Alberta Bound,” she says. She also has a soft spot for a certain beloved country singer: “I have a lot of time for Garth Brooks.”
Southern-Heathcott encourages others to support CKUA.
“CKUA is an important part of our culture and it’s an important part of our heritage,” she says. “I think if we have the ability to support grassroots initiatives that are continuing on with our heritage and our tradition in Alberta, we should support them.”
“Alberta Bound” by Paul Brandt:
