If the name “Tara Weber” sounds familiar to you, it’s because you likely heard her name over the airwaves or saw it in print during her time as a journalist. Now a member of our Corporate Communications team, Tara spent more than two decades reporting on the news, the last nine years of them focused on Canada’s natural resource sector, before coming to Suncor earlier this year.
On Sept. 20, Tara received a King Charles III Coronation Medal for her work in “furthering dialogue and providing context in plain language on the natural resources sector, as a TV and radio journalist and host.”
Tara was one of 100 Canadians that Governor General Mary Simon nominated.
“I was really surprised when I found out who nominated me,” says Tara. “There were so many inspirational nominees, each is doing such amazing work in different sectors. It was humbling to be considered among them.”
Tara is thrilled to be awarded with a King Charles III Coronation Medal.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal program was created to mark the inauguration of King Charles III, which took place in May 2023, making it the first Canadian commemorative medal to honour a coronation.
This royal recognition program will celebrate 30,000 Canadians who have made a difference in their community, highlighting themes such as service, environment and diversity. One hundred of those medals have been allotted to the Governor General. She has personally awarded each of them to people who represent her key priorities – Reconciliation, Diversity and Inclusion, Mental Health and Wellness, Nature and Environment, Youth and Education.
“Establishing a niche as a journalist was very beneficial because it allowed me to deeply understand the topic I was covering, while also building trust and relationships within the sector,” explains Tara.
With an extensive background in journalism, which started in Grade 10 when a teacher suggested she work at a local radio station, and a thorough understanding of the energy industry, Tara used her knowledge to promote energy literacy to Canadians, hoping to highlight the importance of natural resources and how they contribute to our country.
“Natural resources are one of the top industries in Canada,” explains Tara. “A lot of Canadians don’t consider how prevalent they are in our everyday life, and I wanted bring awareness to the topic without any bias.”
A close-up of Tara’s King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Tara was accompanied by her sister for the ceremony, which included members of the King’s Guard and a brief pause at noon for the daily cannon salute.
As Tara went to receive her medal, she was delighted to discover that the Governor General would personally pin it on her chest, making it a moment she will always cherish.
“It was an amazing experience being surrounded by such dedicated people from all walks of life,” says Tara. “The nominees were a group of very interesting and diverse individuals who were truly passionate about contributing to their community, and to Canada, in their own way. It was really a once in a lifetime experience for all of us.”