Leann Hackman-Carty has spent over thirty years encouraging community economic development, business and economic recovery, and entrepreneurship. Her leadership was recognized on an international level when she was invited to participate in the US International Visitors Program with delegates from nineteen other countries.

 

Hackman-Carty is currently CEO of Economic Developers Alberta, which works closely with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in Washington, DC. In 2014, she helped flooded communities in southern Alberta recover from disaster and develop better resilience. In 2016, she played an active role in Fort McMurray’s post-wildfire business and economic recovery efforts. She also helped customize the IEDC’s economic recovery and resiliency toolkit and resiliency training course for Canadian communities. She also runs her own consulting firm and has travelled throughout the U.S. and Caribbean on various recovery assignments.

 

At the end of December 2017, she released her “Master Your Disaster” series of guidebooks on Amazon designed to help individuals, businesses and communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. In 2018, she received Public Safety Canada’s Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award-Resilient Communities.  

 

In 2022, she unexpectantly became a widow, with two teenaged children. Since that time, she has dedicated more time on developing tools for community leaders to help them deal with grief, and be more resilient.

 

Hackman-Carty holds bachelor degrees in political science / sociology and social work and has earned certificates in both marketing and economic development. She has also received numerous awards for her work in economic development and recovery. She has been recognized in 2018 and 2019 as one of Canada's most powerful women by WXN.