Economic Developers Alberta (EDA)

Board of Directors

The affairs of the Association shall be governed by a Board of Directors comprised of eleven (11) Directors. Seven (7) Directors shall be elected by the members of the Association; two (2) are automatically appointed (President and Immediate Past President); and two (2) shall be appointed, one (1) from each of the respective economic development agencies from Calgary and Edmonton. The Nominating Committee may also appoint non-voting representatives from the provincial or federal government, or other organizations as they see fit. The Immediate President is a voting member of the Board. Elections for new board members take place on an annual basis at the Spring AGM.

All Board members are expected to:

Act in the best interests of the organization
Be engaged Ambassadors for the organization
Guide long-range planning and development
Raise money and monitor finances
Set policy

Recruit and support the CEO
Attend board meetings
Adhere to the board code of ethics
Declare a conflict of interest if applicable

Our Honorary Patron

Hon. Brian Jean, Minister of Jobs, Economy & Northern Development

I am pleased to be the Honorary Patron for Economic Developers Alberta, and I’d like to thank them for their hard work to help strengthen Alberta’s economy. I am proud to support our partners in the EDA, because their work is critical to building up our communities, supporting the prosperity of all Albertans, and ensuring our province remains Canada’s economic powerhouse for years to come.

2023-24 EDA Board of Directors

Shane Olson - President (Strathcona County)
Eleanor Miclette - Past President (Canmore)
Hetti Huls - Secretary Treasurer (Grande Prairie)
Amanda Mercer - Vice President (Sylvan Lake)
Trevor Lewington - Director (Lethbridge)
Ben Young - Director (Lethbridge)
Kent McMullin - Director (Edmonton)
Kate Koplovich - Director (Calgary)
Amy Oshanyk - Director (Sturgeon County)
Lorie Watson - Director (Okotoks)
Lisa Sweet - Director (Fort McMurray)

Our President

Shane Olson, Strathcona County

I am looking forward to my term as President of Economic Developers Alberta. As a member driven organization we work tirelessly to elevate economic development as a profession and at the same time support practitioners in their critical roles to promote sustainable long-term growth that benefits all members of our society.

In 2024, EDA celebrates is 50th anniversary. This milestone will be an excellent opportunity to celebrate where we have come from, and to reinvigorate our work that provides economic developers with leading edge programs, best practice sharing, networking opportunities and other valuable tools to help create thriving communities.

I appreciate the vision and leadership that has created an effective and admired organization at provincial, national and international levels. The success of our association can be attributed to our committed and talented staff, and also to the special contributions each President and board members have made over the years.

Your Economic Development Network in Alberta

www.invest-in-alberta.ca

Toll Free Phone: 1.866.671.8182