Josh Traptow

Josh Traptow is a Calgary-based nonprofit and public-sector executive with a career focused on strengthening organizations, advancing community impact, and making meaningful contributions to the city he calls home.

He currently serves as Executive Director of the Alberta Real Estate Foundation and previously spent nearly a decade as Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Calgary. Across these roles, Josh has led organizations through growth, change, and increased public profile, working at the intersection of governance, strategy, public policy, and community engagement.

Josh brings experience from both sides of the boardroom and across multiple orders of government. He has worked at Calgary City Hall and the Alberta Legislature, including in the Offices of the Premier, the Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, and City Councillors. This background provides him with a practical understanding of the political, regulatory, and stakeholder environments facing Calgary and Alberta.

Community service is central to Josh’s professional and personal life. He is a 15+ year volunteer with the Calgary Stampede and currently serves as Chair of the Western Agriculture Heritage Committee, is a past Chair of the Agriculture & Western Events Media Committee, and is an external appointee to the Stampede’s Governance & People Committee. He also serves on the boards of the Alberta Motor Association, including as Chair of the Calgary Regional Advisory Board, as well as the AMA Board of Governors and AMA Community Foundation.

Josh is actively involved in the nonprofit sector, serving as Board Chair of the Women In Need Society (WINS) and as a board member of the History & Heroes Alberta Foundation. He is a past Chair of the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre and a former board member of the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation and Vertigo Theatre. He also volunteers with Heritage Park and the Calgary Foundation.

His contributions have been recognized through the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals, the City of Calgary’s Award for Heritage, SAIT’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award, Calgary Herald’s 20 Compelling Calgarians for 2024, and Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2024.

Josh holds a diploma in Administrative Information Management from SAIT, a certificate in Public Relations from Mount Royal University, and has completed the ICD-Rotman Governance Essentials Program. He is a third-generation Calgarian with a deep commitment to the community.