EDAC Annual Board Elections
Every year before the conference, we look to our members to choose who will fill any vacancies on the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) Board of Directors. Please take the time to read all the below information, including reviewing this year’s candidates bios, then cast your vote.
In accordance with By-Law 3.3.6, the enclosed ballot election materials are for your immediate attention. Three vacancies on the Board of Directors are to be filled for a two-year term, expiring Annual Meeting 2023. / Veuillez trouver ci-inclus, conformément à l’alinéa 6 du paragraphe 3 de l’article 3 du règlement interne, la documentation relative à l’élection du nouveau Conseil d’administration, et à laquelle nous vous prions de prêter votre attention immédiate. Trois postes du Conseil d’administration sont vacants et doivent être comblés pour un mandat de deux ans expirant à l’assemblée annuelle de 2023.
Nominees for these positions are listed alphabetically, accompanied by a photo and a brief biographical sketch. / Les candidats à ces postes, énumérés ci-après par ordre alphabétique, ont chacun leur photo accompagnée d’un bref profil biographique.
Procedures For Voting / Procédures du vote
- Only active members in good standing (dues fully paid) are entitled to vote and hold elected office. / Seuls les membres actifs en règle (ayant payé toutes leurs cotisations) ont le droit de voter et de remplir des fonctions soumises à une élection.
- Read candidates’ bios and then mark the online ballot. Vote for only three nominees. / Veuillez lire les profils des candidats puis remplir votre bulletin de vote. Ne votez que pour trois candidats seulement.
- All votes must be received by the EDAC office no later than Sept. 14, 2021/ Tous les bulletins de vote doivent être parvenus au siège social de l’ACDE au plus tard le 14 septembre 2021.
Learn about the Candidates
Please review each of the candidates below before casting your vote. Only EDAC Members are allowed to vote.
Natasha held progressively senior policy and advocacy roles at Canada’s largest local chamber of commerce the Toronto Region Board of Trade who works to make Toronto, North America’s fourth-largest commercial centre, one of the most competitive and sought-after business regions in the world. Natasha also spent ten years in economic development, market intelligence and enterprise risk planning consulting roles at MDB Insight, BDO, IHS Markit, TD Bank and Deloitte.
Natasha’s past project engagements have proven she is able to develop insightful reports and presentations and speak to legislative committees, City Councils and to the media. She has excellent track record of serving as a trusted advisor for senior leaders within federal, provincial, and municipal government and has strong organizational and project management skills with focus on efficiency, quality of deliverables and team engagement.
While at the Toronto Region Board of Trade, Natasha conducted numerous stakeholder consultations, developed, and facilitated workshops and conferences. She also co-chaired Economic Development & Trade Committee, Smart Cities Working Group and Movement of Goods Council and co-authored several reports. In her career as a professional consultant, she developed economic development and corporate strategies, economic impact assessments, international benchmarking studies and performance measurement frameworks for government, private sector, and not-for-profit clients.
Natasha holds Master of Arts in Business Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is also a Certified Economic Developer with Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) and is working towards her Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.
Born in Moscow, Russia, Natasha now lives in Toronto’s Bloor West Village.
Schaun Patrick Goodeve, MES, RPP, MCIP
Summary of Qualifications:
- 2017 Economic Developer of the Year – Economic Developers of Alberta; Registered Professional Planner
- Investment attraction of over $700m working with retail, commercial, industrial, agricultural and tourism sectors
- International Advisor, Federation of Canadian Municipalities (Projects Ukraine, Peru)
- Over 20 years proven international and domestic leadership experience within the public and private sectors developing and attracting investment in communities and businesses
- Led organizational change in eliminating bureaucracy resulting in attracting new investment, improved services and streamlined processes that have benefitted residents and business alike
- Managed projects from concept to site selection, planning processes to saleable assets
- Over 20 yrs non-profit agencies Board of Directors experience: Director Economic Developers Association Canada, Director Economic Developers of Alberta, President Kimberley & District Chamber of Commerce,
- Director Tourism Kimberley, Chair Kimberley Downtown Business Association, Chair of Greater Edmonton Economic Development Team
Andrew Lockhart is the Economic Development Specialist with Ignite Fredericton. Andrew is accountable for the economic development and growth of the Fredericton region through strategic initiatives and direct business development activities that result in new companies starting, expanding or locating to the region.
Andrew studied political science at St. Thomas University. He has a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Prior to joining the team at Ignite, Andrew worked for the Government of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University, and the International Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (IBEC).
In addition to his role at Ignite, Andrew chairs the Agencies Group, which consists of Fredericton’s business support community. Within this capacity, he coordinated the group through the COVID-19 recovery process by drafting and completing the Reignite Fredericton: Economic Development Recovery Plan. In addition, he currently chairs the committee responsible for the SupportFredLocal campaign which promotes shopping local and supporting local businesses. The campaign recently secured over $60,000 for it’s 4th phase. Finally, he has created and implemented two accelerators: the E-Commerce Accelerator and the Succession Planning Accelerator.
Jennifer has 18 years of economic development experience, with a strong focus on investment attraction, business retention, and stellar customer service. Jennifer is currently the Economic Development Officer with the Town of Paradise, one of Canada’s fastest growing communities. Previously, Jennifer worked for the City of Cambridge, giving her a unique perspective in both rural and urban settings.
Jennifer has been a member of EDAC since 2007, achieving her Certified Economic Developers designation, Ec.D. in 2016, and Fellowship, Ec.D.(F) in 2019. She holds a Certificate in Economic Development from EDAC / UofW, and a Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts through Memorial University.
Jennifer is the outgoing President of the Economic Developers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (EDANL) and has found it incredibly rewarding focusing on professional development, networking, and collaboration across the network. She has been a member of EDAC’s Board as a provincial rep for the past two years and has been a member of the Conference committee during that time.
Jennifer was awarded the EDAC President’s Award in 2020 for her contributions to the Association, including being a member of the review committee for the revised Essentials of Economic Development Guide – Practices, Principles & Planning Version 3.0. She has been a committed member of EDAC, believing wholeheartedly in the benefits of its training and certification process, and strength of the network of practitioners across Canada. She applauds the digital transformation of the Association and renewed focus through the guidance of the Strategic Plan.
Jennifer is dedicated to connecting with practitioners, sharing best practices, progressing learning opportunities and raising the profile of the profession, and would love the opportunity to continue to give back to EDAC through a Director at Large position on the Board.
Nicolas est développeur économique certifié (D. Éc.) et compte plus de 25 ans d’expérience en développement économique, dont les douze dernières à titre de gestionnaire. Avant de travailler chez PME MTL, Nicolas a notamment œuvré en tant que commissaire industriel dans différentes régions du Québec.
Nicolas détient une solide expertise en ce qui a trait au développement de l’entrepreneuriat, au financement des entreprises, à la gestion de programmes de même qu’à l’attraction d’investissement. Ses habiletés particulières en gestion de projets, en planification stratégique de même qu’en élaboration de stratégies de développement font de lui un expert dans les enjeux territoriaux spécifiques.
Nicolas Roy is a certified economic developer (Ec.D.) and has more than twenty-five years of experience in the field of economic development, with the last twelve years spent as executive director. Prior to working at PME MTL, Nicolas mainly worked as an industrial commissioner throughout the many regions of Québec.
Nicolas maintains a solid expertise in entrepreneurial development, in business finance, in program management as well as investment attraction. His specific skills in project management, strategic planning as
well as his knowledgeable expansion strategies make him an expert in the specific territorial challenges.
Rajbir became passionate about a career in public service after an inspiring trip to the nation’s capital. She eventually pursued degrees in political science and later earned a Master of Public Service and a Master of Planning from the University of Waterloo. She is skilled in policy development, planning, project management and economic analysis. She is also a Registered Professional Planner and is a Certified Economic Developer.
Rajbir is a Senior Economic Development Officer supporting business retention and expansion in Oakville and has more than seven years of public sector experience in economic development, by-law enforcement and planning. Since 2020 Rajbir has sat on the Board of Directors for EDCO and is Chair of the Emerging Young Professionals Committee. She also serves as an Outreach Committee Member for the Ontario Professional Planners Institute.
Tracey Snow, Economic Development Officer for the County of Lennox & Addington, has been working with the County’s Economic Development Team for 11 years, supporting new start ups, and growth, expansion and investment attraction opportunities. Tracey is a big advocate for collaboration and building relationships with economic development and community partners across the region to support all economic development initiatives in Lennox & Addington.
Tracey has 30 plus years of experience as a business owner and/or business coach, supporting entrepreneurs from various industries; hands on with large, growth oriented organizations in an operational and marketing capacity across Canada. She has been an active Board member for many organizations; local community hospital, an incredible local business working in the green sector for fire suppression, as well as on the Board for many years with the Ontario East Economic Development Commission.
Tracey is very engaged with partners that support business development in Lennox & Addington and across Ontario, such as Academia – both University/College, all funding & resource organizations, Federal/Provincial Government, Developers, Real Estate organizations, Municipalities, as well as all other local business partners that support growth and opportunity. She is passionate about helping people & businesses and it shows in her enthusiasm with every endeavour she takes on. Tracey is a big believer in supporting people and companies down the path to accomplish their dreams.
