My Story

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I was born and raised in Calgary and grew up in Lake Bonavista, a community that has always felt like home. I attended local schools, spent summers at the lake, and grew up surrounded by the neighbourhoods and people of southeast Calgary.

Years later, I returned to the area to raise my own family. That lifelong connection gives me a perspective that goes beyond simply knowing the real estate market. I understand the communities, the lifestyle, and why so many people choose to call this part of Calgary home.

Whitefish, Montana, has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up spending time on Whitefish Lake, and many of my favourite memories are tied to the lake, the mountains, and the community.

My family's connection to Whitefish also extends to real estate. My dad continued his career in the area with Glacier Sotheby’s International Realty, giving me a unique connection to real estate on both sides of the border.

Whitefish remains an important part of my story and a place that continues to feel like a second home.

Real estate has always been part of my life. My dad, Tom Burk, built a remarkable career in Calgary real estate, and I grew up watching the relationships, hard work, and reputation behind a successful business.

I learned early that real estate is not simply about selling homes. It is about knowing your market, treating people well, and building relationships that last.

Today, I am proud to have built my own career in the business while carrying forward many of the lessons I learned from him.

For more than two decades, military life has been an important part of my story. I am married to Lieutenant Colonel Michael MacKillop, a highly decorated Canadian Army Officer who served with The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), including leading a reconnaissance platoon in Afghanistan, for which he was awarded the Medal of Military Valour for "exceptional leadership under fire".

Together, we have raised two children while navigating the realities of Army life, we were posted four times as a family including moves as a newly married couple, with small children, outside of the annual posting season, and on short notice.  These being in addition to Mike's four unaccompanied postings and multiple tours.

Being an Army family has taught me the importance of community, resilience, and having a place that truly feels like home. It has also given me a personal understanding of the challenges military families face when relocating and starting over in a new city.

After Mike's last year-long tour, from 2023 to 2025, our family had the privilege of being part of The Royal Regina Rifles while Mike served as Commanding Officer. It was an incredibly meaningful chapter in our lives, filled with friendships, traditions, and experiences our entire family will always treasure.

One of the highlights was Operation CALVADOS, commemorating the 80th anniversary of D Day and the Regiment’s history in Normandy. Travelling to France with the Regiment, veterans, families, and friends was an experience we will never forget.

A particularly meaningful part of the commemoration was the Rifleman statue created by renowned Cochrane artists Don Begg and Shirley Begg. Created in Cochrane and brought to Bretteville l’Orgueilleuse, France, the statue honours the Riflemen who fought and sacrificed during the Normandy campaign.

To see it unveiled on the 80th anniversary of 

D Day, in the place where the Regiment made history, was incredibly moving. Being part of Operation CALVADOS and our time with The Royal Regina Rifles gave our family memories, friendships, and a connection to Canadian military history that we will carry with us always.

Our connection to The Calgary Highlanders is deeply personal. Formed as the 103 Regiment "Calgary Rifles" and deployed to WWI as the 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Forces, the Regiment is currently one of the largest Army Reserve Units in western Canada and was recently redesignated as The Calgary Highlanders (10th Canadians) to recognize its historic wartime contributions.

The Highlanders were Mike’s first regiment and where his military career began. Years later, returning to Calgary and now having the privilege of serving as Commanding Officer has brought our family’s military journey full circle.

The Regiment has also become an important part of my own life. I am proud to serve on the Grand Highland Military Ball Committee, helping bring together soldiers, families, veterans, and members of the Calgary community in support of the Regiment and those who serve.

For our family, the Highlanders represent more than military service. They are friendships, traditions, community, and a connection to Calgary that spans generations. Returning to where Mike’s career began and sharing this chapter together now is very special to us.