Leann Hackman-Carty

CEO
Economic Developers Alberta
Calgary, AB, Canada


Leann is committed to creating a better, more disaster-resilient world for families, businesses, and communities.

Throughout her career, her leadership ability, entrepreneurial drive, innovative thinking and extensive network have enabled her to establish partnerships across sectors, industries, and borders; anticipate emerging and ongoing business needs; and design new ways of providing goods and services.

For over a decade, she served as the Mayor of Calgary's Executive Assistant, Community & Economic Development. Following that, she managed several political election campaigns; led key initiatives in the corporate, public and not-for-profit sector; provided business development services to the States of Mississippi and Georgia; provided leadership for the Organization of Women in International Trade; hosted numerous international trade delegations; offered a range of innovative business and economic recovery services; and worked on a number of high profile investment projects. She is also Managing Director-Alberta for GroYourBiz, an initiative that sets up peer advisory boards for women entrepreneurs.

Since 2009, she has served as the CEO of Economic Developers Alberta. She also heads up HackmanCarty & Associates—which is focused on building strong, disaster resilient businesses and communities.

Over the past few years, Leann has spearheaded business and recovery efforts in Canada’s two most costly disasters: Southern Alberta Floods (2013) and Fort McMurray Wildfires (2016); delivered IEDC’s “Economic Resilience Training for Community and Regional Leaders” course across Canada; received an exemplary service award from the Canadian government for her work in community resilience; and released her "Master Your Disaster" readiness, response and recovery guides, which are readily available in print, audio and Spanish formats. Leann is always pleased to share her expertise at conferences and events on a regular basis.