She’s the fiery red head you’ve seen at the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo officially as mascot the last three years, but if you’re a faithful attendee you will have known Lindsay Thomas for far longer than that. In fact it is debatable which came first: Emily Expo the mascot or the woman who embodies the insignia.

"It happened quite organically," Thomas says on landing the role as Emily. "I had been attending the show as a fan and people actually thought that the Emily Expo artwork had been based on me, and my face.  So as I started to volunteer and get to know the show more intimately, the idea emerged that we could give the logo a name and a personality – someone that the fans can actually access and speak to."

Thomas was virtually born a science fiction fan; something that she actually suffered for. Her innocent love for all things Star Trek meant she was the target of bullying as a child. Believing this would come to an end as she grew older, she was only disappointed to discover that bullies exist at all ages.

"Sadly... I began to realize that there will always be bullies, there will always be judges, and there will always be individuals who seem to believe that violence, force, and non-consent are somehow acceptable," she says. "It’s disgraceful that this sort of thing still happens.  It’s time for change. It’s been time for change for a very long time now."

In the role of Emily Expo and as a devoted campaigner for numerous charities, Thomas has made it her mission to make a difference.

"I really care about people loving themselves, and loving those around them; I care about people feeling accepted and respected for who they are," she says. "We do so much damage to each other because we don’t see the fundamental value in each individual, and it breaks my heart.  So eventually, one day, I’d love to be seen as someone who encouraged an openness between individuals and groups – to start dialogue that hopefully progresses to a positive relationship."

Thomas was faced with the choice between the full workload required by the Emily Expo position and completing a Master’s Degree in Humanities. She chose the Expo.

"It’s a good choice, and I’m happy with it, although I sometimes think about going back to school eventually; likely something in the field of grief counseling and coaching people who have experienced loss or trauma," she says.

Though her cherry apple coiffure may be the first to catch one’s eye, it is Emily Expo’s wide-open heart that truly distinguishes her character. The Expo keeps her on her toes and involves a fair amount of travel, but Thomas still makes time to support charities against bullying, human trafficking, and discrimination.

"I was bullied a lot for having an interest in [science fiction], and my theory is that it was because a lot of other kids just didn’t understand that," she describes. "People mock what they don’t understand, instead of making an effort to learn about it."

"I’m not bitter about being bullied. If anything, it has given me an appreciation for those who are different from me, and compassion for those who are feeling like they have no value."

This means Emily Expo is completely approachable: blogs, email, in person. She is there for expo goers and an excellent resource for all things comic and sci-fi.

Asked what her best experience as Emily Expo has been thus far, it comes tied to her most difficult hour and surely features a rescue by one of her favourite characters. It was the year of the Calgary Expo’s lock out, and also the year that Start Trek: The Next Generation actor John de Lancie (Q) made a surprise appearance at the 2012 event TNG Exposed, a reunion of TNG characters.

"The room exploded; the energy was incredible and the crowd was elated – rapturous even," she describes. "Our entire team was in crisis mode bending over backwards and jumping through hoops to fix everything before Sunday. It was the hardest day at a convention that I had ever experienced: shouldering the disappointment, frustration, anger, and hate of so many people."

"[But] experiencing that moment, when John entered the room, with 5,000 people, all of whom were so ecstatic was, cathartic. It reminded me that as much as we’d gone through a major crisis... we’d also done something really special for a lot of people. It was reaffirming. The joy in that room was palpable and I am so grateful to have been able to experience it with the fans."

While Start Trek: TNG definitely tops her sci-fi chart, Thomas says Aliens is up there too, alongside Fables in the comic genre.

"The story telling is solid and [Fables is] so creatively written. It’s a fun read," she says, adding that her favourite character is Cinderella.  "She’s contrary to what you would expect her to be given the way that Disney Princesses are often portrayed. She definitely doesn’t need any rescuing; she’s pretty fantastic on her own."

Thomas is also a fan of action movies with a good sense of humour; films like The Expendables and Die Hard. She lists Bill Paxton, James O’Barr, and Danny Glover as some of the celebs she’s excited to meet at this year’s Expo.

"I’m a fan of [Glover’s] work in film and TV, but even more than that, he’s done a lot of work for the UN and I admire his humanitarian work," she says. "Laurie Holden, also: what an amazing actress and she too has done a lot of humanitarian work with the Somaly Mam Foundation."

Jim Byrnes (Highlander: The Series) is another mention Emily makes, adding that the all-around talent will perform a Blues show Friday night of the convention.

As for the future, Thomas plans to continue on her trek of seeking out new places and boldly going where she has never gone before.

"I adore travelling; I can’t get enough of it!" she says. "The Calgary Expo has taken me all over North America and has opened a lot of doors for me. That said, in five years, I hope that I’m still plugging away at this convention and continuing to improve it year after year."

Thomas has resided all over Canada, in London, UK and in Seoul, but considers Calgary her home.

"This is a great city with a lot of great people," she says. "I felt connected with it from the moment I moved here five years ago, and I’m looking to spending many more years to come in this city."