EDCO chief executive Heather Lalonde Women in EDO + Women's role increasing in economic development profession in Canada and internationally Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer Heather Lalonde, Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO)'s chief executive officer, embraces the new international focus on economic development and the growing role of women in the profession. Lalonde began her career in municipal government before taking on economic development chal- lenges for the City of Peterborough in 1997. Like many peo- ple in earlier years, she evolved into the career. Now people seek it out as a professional opportunity. “There is a greater understanding now for the need for economic development and it has become more widely known as a profession and one people seek out, rather than evolving into,” she said. “Economic development is being seen more as a core business of municipalities as well so the focus is growing.” She said EDCO is just eight members short of 1,000 at the end of 2014 and 44 per cent of those members have been involved for less than 10 years. As the numbers of economic development professionals grows Lalonde says the demographic is naturally evolving to include more women. “Women are naturally used to juggling multiple tasks and managing a work/life balance so they are naturally suited to the high demands and challenges of the career.” She says advances in technology have created a greater demand for responsiveness. A competitive market also comes into play with the tighter response times and deter- mines the kind of people who will succeed in the industry. EDCO has started planning events focused on women and will bring in women in Ontario who are leaders in the field who can share their experiences and insights. “Some- times women just need to see the possibility and sharing the path other successful women have taken can be that in- spiration.” Lalonde says that variety and flexibility are among the things she loves about the job but it is not for everyone. “I think of economic development like parenting. You have to be an event manager, understand financial issues, be able to handle logistics, be detail oriented, and go into work every day thinking the day is going to be about one thing and find it is completely turned around.” Lalonde is expanding her own international influence in the industry and connecting with women on a global front. She has just been elected as a member of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and says that there too an increasing number of women is evident. “Economic development is a field that transcends gov- ernment and the private sector. It is for people who truly care about their communities. It is a powerful and empowering industry that is able to shape the future of our communities.” The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Winter 2015 – 17