Fundamentals of Community ​Economic Development - Kenora

Brock Dickinson, CEO, MDB Insight

Brock is the CEO of MDB Insight, Canada's largest specialist economic development consultancy. Before entering the private sector, Brock served as Director of ICT & Advanced Manufacturing for the Toronto Region Research Alliance, as Director of economic development and tourism services for the City of St. Catharines, and as executive director of the Western Valley Development Authority in rural Nova Scotia. This economic development work won more than 40 national and international awards, including a UN designation as one of the “best practices in the world for improving living conditions.” His work helped to leverage more than a billion dollars in new investment, and the creation of 5,000 new jobs.

Emanuel Carvalho, Associate Professor, University of Waterloo Department of Economics

Emanuel is an assistant director of the Economic Development Program and an associate professor in the Department of Economics. He specializes in regional and community economic development and is interested in examining how economic analysis can contribute to the development and implementation of policies/programs directed at promoting the socioeconomic well-being of regions and communities. He developed the "Carvalho Classification", a model for expressing relative growth.

Dan Friyia, Executive Director, CDC of Sault Ste. Marie

Dan Friyia is the Executive Director of the CDC of Sault Ste. Marie. Previously, he was the General Manager of the Superior East Community Future Development Corporation for 23 years. He has been a long time instructor for the Economic Development Program, teaching many economic develpment professionals the basics of financial analysis for small business. He also teaches student of Algoma University's Community Economic and Social Development Program.

Dawn Madahbee, General Manager, Waubetek Business Development Corporation

Dawn Madahbee is the General Manager of the Waubetek Business Development Corporation. She earned a university degree in political science with a minor in law and has background experience in program development and management in the public sector. Dawn gained her business experience through operating a small retail outlet in her home community of Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation for 12 years and through private consulting with First Nation communities. She currently serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board. She is a former Chairperson of the Northern Ontario Development Corporation and participates on several Federal and Provincial economic advisory committees; and also served as a Board Member of both the Ontario Development Corporation and Innovations Ontario.