Natalie Gibson, PEcD

Principal, InnoVisions & Associates

Natalie Gibson was named Economic Developer of the Year (2014) and later recognized as Economic Developers Alberta’s Trainer of the Year (2022).

She has lead an internationally recognized, award-winning Business Investment Attraction and BR&E initiative recognized by the Business Retention & Expansion International (BREI), supporting communities under 50,000 population.

She has received multiple community-based recognitions, reflecting a reputation for smart strategies, real results, and a proven ability to bring people along and turn ideas into action.

Natalie’s approach to adult learning is practical, applied, and respectful of experience—using real-world examples to turn complex concepts into clear, usable tools.

Training Focus: 

Leann Hackman-Carty, Ec.D., PEcD

CEO, Economic Developers Alberta (EDA)

Leann brings extensive experience across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, with economic development serving as the foundation of her career. She spent more than a decade as Executive Assistant for Community & Economic Development in the Office of the Mayor at The City of Calgary, where she gained firsthand insight into the important role elected officials play in shaping strong, competitive communities. Since 2009, she has served as CEO of Economic Developers Alberta (EDA), leading the province's economic development network and championing initiatives such as the EDA Institute and the Invest in Alberta / Xperience Alberta publication.

A highly regarded trainer, facilitator, and speaker, Leann has designed and delivered professional development programs, workshops, and conference sessions for economic developers, elected officials, community leaders, and businesses across Canada. She has played a lead role in developing, updating, and expanding the EDA Institute curriculum, helping to create Alberta's most comprehensive economic development training program. Through this work, she has helped strengthen professional knowledge, leadership capacity, and practical skills through engaging, experience-based learning.

As a Certified and Professional Economic Developer, Leann is passionate about advancing the profession and supporting practitioners, organizations, and communities in building the capacity, resilience, and leadership needed for long-term economic success.

Training Focus: 

Lynn Jenkins

Labour Relations Advisor – Government of Canada

Lynn is a retired Human Resources Professional with 33 years of experience in the Canadian Federal Public Service, having worked across various business lines, departments, and agencies throughout Canada. She specializes in counseling, adult education, human resources management, and labor relations. As a dedicated lifelong learner, Lynn has researched, created, and conducted workshops and training sessions on topics such as Enhancing Mental Health, Change Management, Respectful Workplaces, and Labor Relations. She is recognized for her exceptional leadership and her genuine and insightful facilitation style.

Training Focus: 

Trevor Lewington, PEcD

Director, Growth & Engagement, Lethbridge County

With extensive executive leadership experience in the food-processing sector, firsthand insight as a small-business owner, and impactful roles across the public sector, Trevor brings a broad, pragmatic, and highly collaborative perspective to advancing economic growth in southern Alberta.

Trevor serves as Director of Growth & Engagement for Lethbridge County and is an instructor with Economic Developers Alberta, contributing to their award-winning community economic development training program. He is also Board Chair of the University of Lethbridge Property Group, overseeing development of the south campus.

Deeply engaged in community leadership, Trevor served as Mayor of the Village of Stirling until 2025 and previously sat on the boards of Economic Developers Alberta (including as President) and the Economic Developers Association of Canada. He was a founding Director and Corporate Secretary of Ridge Utilities Ltd.

Trevor’s contributions have been widely recognized. He received an honorary doctorate from the Claustro Doctoral Iberoamericano, was named 2019 Economic Developer of the Year by Economic Developers Alberta, and earned national recognition from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for his international capacity-building work in Belize and Jamaica. He is also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Training Focus:

Mark Morrissey, Ec.D., CEcD

Director, Economic Innovation & Growth, Sturgeon County

Mark Morrissey has been in the field of Economic Development for 18 years in a career that has spanned two provinces and one territory. He has spent the last 12 years in senior management roles, supporting economic development for municipalities within the metro-Edmonton region and Alberta’s Industrial Heartland. He is currently the Director of Economic Innovation & Growth for Sturgeon County.

Prior to his time in Alberta, Mark lived and worked in the City of Iqaluit, Nunavut Territory, where he was Executive Director of the Nunavut Economic Developers Association. In 2012, he was elected to Iqaluit City Council and appointed as Chair of the municipal Economic Development Committee.

Mark holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Memorial University, a masters in Community Development from St. Francis Xavier University, a certificate in Economic Development from the University of Waterloo, a certificate in Municipal Management and Leadership from the University of Alberta and has his EcD designation from the Economic Developers Association of Canada.

Training Focus:

Core Courses

• Establishing the Foundation (ETF)
• Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E)

Optional Course

• Fundamentals of Rural Economic Development (RED)