Year: 2025

Jett Britnell Appointed to Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s Board of Governors

Jett & Kathryn Britnell November 6, 2025November 30, 2025 Comments are off

Board of Governors

Jett Britnell RCGS — I’m eager to work alongside the distinguished members of the College of Fellows who serve on the RCGS Board of Governors.

I’m deeply honoured and genuinely thrilled to share that I was elected to the Board of Governors of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS). What made this moment even more meaningful was learning from the Chair of the Nominating Committee that the panel’s decision was unanimous.

My heartfelt gratitude goes to two dear friends and RCGS Fellows, Janis Peleshok and Jenn Thornhill Verma, whose nominations and unwavering support made this possible. I’m also profoundly thankful to Robin Brooks, another cherished friend and RCGS Fellow, who always speaks highly about me in rooms I’m not in.

RCGS Annual General Meeting

I would be remiss not to acknowledge the warm congratulations and encouragement I received from members of The Explorers Club-Canadian Chapter who were present at the RCGS Annual General Meeting. Your friendship and support mean the world. The same goes for my learned friends and colleagues at the RCGS. Ever since I was elected to the RCGS College of Fellows in 2017… I have been proud to serve and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Canada… its people, places, natural and cultural heritage… both nationally and globally.

As the Honourable Lois Mitchell, President of the RCGS, often reminds us… Gratitude is one of the strongest and most transformative states of being. It shifts your perspective from lack to abundance. Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. On this, I couldn’t agree more.

On November 5th, 2025, I attended my first Board meeting with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. I move forward with purpose, deep gratitude, and unwavering commitment to the Society’s ongoing mission. 🇨🇦

Exploration Life As It Happens

Global Explorers Summit (GLEX) Ottawa 2025

Jett & Kathryn Britnell September 19, 2025September 19, 2025 Comments are off

A Summit of Minds, A Lesson in Leadership

“The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.”

— Vince Lombardi

RCGS Explorers Club flag - Jett Britnell — Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Explorers Club logo flag

Kathryn and I have returned home from Ottawa after attending The Explorers Club’s Global Exploration Summit (GLEX) 2025, and the afterglow of thought still lingers. As images and reflections from fellow attendees surface, one truth is clear: something extraordinary transpired. People were stirred. Friendships were forged. Minds were opened to the cosmos above and the human spirit within.

In the quiet descent that follows such a gathering, there is a collective reckoning, a gentle attempt to absorb the gravity of all that was shared. Those who were there know. Some admitted to tears, not only from awe at the immensity of space or the fragility of our planet, but from deeper themes that threaded it all together: love, empathy, humanity, and the unyielding drive to explore the unknown.

To call the summit inspiring would be an understatement. A better word is transformational. It reminded us that discovery is not only about what lies beyond the horizon, but also what lies within.

This summit was made possible through the partnership of two storied institutions. The Explorers Club, founded in 1904 to champion scientific exploration, and The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, established in 1929 as Canada’s leading voice for geography, exploration, education, and environmental stewardship, joined forces to bring GLEX to Ottawa.

Richard Wiese and John Gieger Jett Britnell — Richard Wiese and John Geiger

Richard Wiese, President of The Explorers Club, captured the spirit of the occasion: “GLEX is the Davos of exploration and we wanted to host it in Canada this year. Canada has played such a vital role in the history of exploration, and we collectively felt that our Canadian brothers and sisters were not getting the proper recognition or love they deserve from their neighbors to the south.”

John Geiger, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, echoed the urgency: “With a dearth of enlightened leadership globally, it is more important than ever to build cross-border alliances with organizations dedicated to scientific inquiry and the health of the planet… We are honoured at this critical moment that they would opt to host their most important summit in Canada.”

Members of Explorers Club Canadian Chapter — Members of the Explorers Club’s Canadian Chapter who attended GLEX.

By choosing Ottawa as the stage for GLEX 2025, these two leaders did more than organize an event. They modelled the kind of leadership the world is hungry for: bold, inclusive, and grounded in shared purpose. When the leaders of two respected exploration societies come together and lead with purpose, they demonstrate that exploration is not just about discovery; it is also about fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. It is about shaping a better future for humanity and reminds us that we are all connected and move forward best when we move forward together.

Jett Britnell, FI’16

Canadian Chapter Chair

The Explorers Club Canadian Chapter

In The Press Published Work

Butterflies of the Sea: The Naked Truth About Nudibranchs Published

Jett & Kathryn Britnell June 17, 2025June 17, 2025 Comments are off

Our latest column for Third Age Expeditions in Luxe Beat Magazine, titled “Butterflies of the Sea: The Naked Truth About Nudibranchs,” was published this morning. We have also received our 27th consecutive “Editor’s Choice” award from the editor.

The story is here

In The Press Published Work

Your Most Romantic Table for Two, Please: A Culinary Journey Through Ottawa’s ByWard Market Published

Jett & Kathryn Britnell May 30, 2025June 17, 2025 Comments are off

Our latest column in Luxe Beat Magazine, titled “Your Most Romantic Table for Two, Please: A Culinary Journey Through Ottawa’s ByWard Market,” was published in our Third Age Expeditions column in Luxe Beat Magazine. We also garnered our 26th consecutive “Editor’s Choice” from the editor, who stated it was… “such a lovely piece.”

Kathryn and I have a special fondness for Ottawa’s Byward Market, a place I have known about for decades. My first visit was in 1966, when I was living in Ottawa and was just a kid. My dad took my brother and me there, and we returned home with two pet rabbits. Over the years, I have visited the market independently to shop. Today, it remains one of our favourite spots for dining out whenever we are in our nation’s capital.

Whenever I make dinner reservations or Kathryn and I arrive at a restaurant without one, I always have a signature request: “A romantic table for two, please.” It may seem like a simple request, but it often catches the hostess off guard. Most of the time, the hostess pauses, smiles widely, and then scans the room for the perfect table. If they don’t spot an ideal one, they will wander off to find one.

The story is here

Life As It Happens

A Life In The Depths: Moonlighting As A Diving Photojournalist Keynote Presentation

Jett & Kathryn Britnell April 16, 2025 Comments are off

IIBC Promo 2 for Hett Britnell Keynote Presentation

Jett Britnell Keynote A Life in the Depths Moonlighting as a Diving Photojournalist — Jett Britnell Keynote “A Life in the Depths Moonlighting as a Diving Photojournalist.”

I feel deeply honoured to have presented the Lunch Keynote at the Insurance Institute of British Columbia’s Symposium 2025 earlier today. Sharing my photojournalism experience and insights with such an engaged and enthusiastic audience was an absolute pleasure. The positive reception of the keynote from so many truly touched me.

A special thanks to Danielle Bolduc and Winnie Hon for placing your trust in me for this important IIBC annual event. I’m also immensely grateful to the IIBC’s Seminars Committee members for their warm welcome and outstanding coordination that made this experience seamless.

Thank you note from the IIBC Seminars Committee

Lastly, my sincere gratitude goes to the insurance industry professionals whose energizing and uplifting feedback made this experience all the more rewarding. Your kind words fuel the drive to continue my long obedience in the same direction—thank you all!

Exploration Published Work

The Explorers Club: Where The Spirit Of Exploration Abides

Jett & Kathryn Britnell April 16, 2025April 16, 2025 Comments are off

The Explorers Club Story - Jett and Kathryn Britnell

“Thank you, Jett & Kathryn!!! Another AMAZING piece.”

— Sherrie Wilkolaski, Editor in Chief, Luxe Beat Magazine

Our latest Third Age Expeditions column for Luxe Beat Magazine, “The Explorers Club: Where the Spirit of Exploration Abides,” marks a significant milestone as our 25th consecutive “Editor’s Pick.”

This comprehensive feature, totalling 9,618 words, edges close to book territory and explores the numerous benefits of being a member of The Explorers Club. Moreover, it shines a tiny spotlight on the Canadian Chapter while honouring the sense of fellowship, camaraderie, and the ties that bind Explorers Club members.

Story Link Here

Here’s what some fellow members of The Explorers Club said:

“This isn’t something that I talk about much outside of my close Circle but this is something that is worth sharing for those of you that might be interested. I met the authors on a trip last year and had the pleasure of scuba diving with them in Antarctica. Meeting Jett Britnell and his amazing wife, Kathryn Britnell, became some sort of life-changing event for me. They were both members of a club that I had so much respect for, that I felt Starstruck to be sitting on the same boat with them! (please don’t tell them that I said that!) Anyhow, it was through their guidance and support that I was actually able to become a member of this club. I still feel like a private first class in a room full of generals- but at least I’m in the room! Anyway, if you are interested in more information, there is a link to an article that they wrote about the organization. Becoming a member of The Explorers Club is one of the greatest accomplishments in my adult life.”

— Mark Owens

“There’s a nice segment in this article about the Explorers Club’s DEI Committee and the Society of Forgotten Explorers.”

— Robert Harris

“This is so good ! It really encapsulates what we are about and what the club is built on. Outstanding.”

— Kevin Heath

“Wow that’s quite a write up…..well done both of you.”

— Natalie Schmitt

“Excellent, that’s the perfect summary.”

— Nick Lyon

Life As It Happens

Women Leaders in Insurance in Canada | Elite Women

Jett & Kathryn Britnell March 16, 2025April 16, 2025 Comments are off

“Kindness and leadership go hand in hand. Leading with kindness creates a ripple that inspires and uplifts everyone it touches.”

– Unknown

Women Leaders in Insurance
in Canada | Elite Women

Congratulations to my incredibly talented wife on receiving this well-deserved industry honour! Her strong visionary leadership, strategic innovation, critical thinking skills, resilient nature, and dynamic work ethic are undeniable. She is truly inspiring. Her kindness, empathy, and relentless drive motivate everyone around her, including me, to strive for greatness. I am so proud of her and eternally grateful that among all the noble knights in the kingdom, she chose me to be her husband. ❤️

(Play Nice In The Sandbox, Kids. Ask, Don't Steal)