Stephen Raitz makes Edify’s ‘Top 40 Under 40’ list

Every year for Edify’s November issue, Edify honours 40 Edmontonians that contribute to the community. The Top 40 Under 40 list this year included a number of University of Alberta alumni. Among the awarded was Stephen Raitz, who graduated from the U of A’s Faculty of Law with a Juris Doctor degree in 2024. At only 28 years old, Raitz was the second-youngest on the list.

“To be one of the [younger] people, it’s kind of like a fire under my bum, because I was able to get recognized in this way at this point in time [which] is super cool. But I still have many years to live.”

Raitz explained how he was nominated in May, and found out in August that he had been selected. He attributed his nomination to his advocacy work in Edmonton, and his involvement in working with other people.

“I just felt so grateful to be the individual recognized out of a broader network of people who [are] pushing for better and just involved in their communities. So [I’m] very thankful. And [also] reflecting on what an awesome community I get to be a part of,” Raitz said.

Improving pedestrian spaces can improve community spaces, Raitz says

Raitz’s passion for community and advocacy started when he moved from Leduc to Edmonton, and noticed how much more accessible the city was in terms of biking, walking, and transit.

Raitz was on the board for Paths for People — an organization that aims to improve active-transportation in Edmonton — from 2018 to September of 2024. He explained that his passion for “cycling and walking advocacy” inspired him to connect with the community through Paths for People.

“If you improve the pedestrian realm you also improve community spaces. You have more places to meet people, and the university is such a good example of [that],” he said.

His enthusiasm for community-building is able to continue in his current work as an articling student at Brownlee LLP.

“We do a lot of municipal-related work all across the province. And it’s boring, too. Nobody else wants to do it, so I can make it fun and be one of the main people doing it.”

With being nominated for Top 40 Under 40 and awarded so young, Raitz feels “more energized to continue working hard.”