Heather Lalonde, CEcD, EcD

Chief Executive Officer
Economic Developers Council of Ontario
Cornwall, ON, Canada

Heather Lalonde is the Chief Executive Officer for the Economic Developers Council of Ontario. She has held this position since 1997. In her current role Ms. Lalonde has developed relationships with many key stakeholders across the province, country and the world.

Prior to joining EDCO, Heather was employed with the City of Peterborough as the Economic Development Officer & various other positions providing her with experience in municipal government.

Ms. Lalonde holds a diploma from Fleming College in Peterborough – Tourism & Transportation, a certificate from the University of Waterloo Economic Development Program, and is a certified Economic Developer. She also spent time at the University of Quebec studying language and culture.

Ms. Lalonde holds her Canadian Ec.D. designation as well as an international CEcD designation. Ms. Lalonde was one of the first Canadians to obtain her CEcD, after she championed the project that made the designation available in Canada. In addition to a number of projects, Heather is the lead on the new EDCO Investment Alliance which will allow participating Ontario municipalities to showcase their investment opportunities on the world stage.

Ms. Lalonde has been Governor at St. Lawrence College, adjudicator for the Invest Canada Community Initiative, an Advisory Board member for Venture for Canada and a Board member for the International Economic Development Council. She is also active on all EDCO committees.

Heather is extremely well connected in the world of economic development, and in the world of the Lalonde family. The Lalonde residence where Heather and her husband Mike live is often the gathering place for their 5 daughters and five grandchildren.