Igniting opportunity through strategy consulting, specializing in economic development, organizational planning and business investment.

Factor 5 is an award winning social enterprise co-creating strong communities through excellence in economic development. We deliver customized services that give you the firepower to shape the future for your community. Together, we will create community-led solutions that build economic strength, social wellness, environmental sustainability, cultural vitality and leadership capacity. We will go above and beyond to achieve excellence by building community capacity and providing complementary aftercare to help you adapt to ever changing challenges and opportunities.Factor 5 is a nationally registered social enterprise (2015) headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, with offices in BC and Ontario.

Provide coaching, facilitation, and advice/guidance to build and align collaborative environments across regional economic development organizations and communities to help them capture and benefit from economic development opportunities. Coordination and leadership is provided to bring together regional organizations and stakeholders to create a vision for regional economic development and engage stakeholders at the grass roots levels in support of implementing operational plans.

I provided strategic advice and support to economic development stakeholders across Northwest Alberta, including municipalities, chambers of commerce, colleges, community futures, and Aboriginal communities. This includes strategic planning, partnership development, government pathfinding, problem solving and opportunity identification.

Represented residents and community stakeholders in the development of public policy, programs and priorities.o Articulated key messages relating to municipal issues and utilized both traditional and alternative media methods to inform and engage the publico Used diplomacy, tact and professionalism to manage contentious issues and build consensus on both public and strategic priorities including economic development, environmental issues, youth programs and land use planningo Developed a wide range of community events and initiatives in partnership with local organizations, the media and community volunteersOutcomes include the development of environmental, economic development and youth programs, heightened public involvement in local politics as well as the approval of a progressive official plan and zoning bylaw.

Provided advice and support to senior management in the continuous improvement of community programs.o Managed a program change that required broad internal and external supporto Developed an evidence-based program performance analysis tool to provide clear performance indicators, identify performance targets and facilitate action planso Facilitated training programs for community program volunteers and managed a team of volunteer trainers using best practices in adult learningo Provide policy analysis and interpretation support to staff in dealing with unique and difficult circumstances, including human resources and volunteer engagement issuesOutcomes include enhanced volunteer program capacity through improved program performance as well as the management of program risks as a result of effective training of volunteers.

• Represented communities in the southern region of the service delivery area and participated on the Finance and Communication Committees.o Participated in the development of a new strategic plano Co-lead a rebranding of the organization to reflect a new strategic directiono Developed a public relations and fundraising campaign team in the south region to enhance the organizations visibility and community engagement• Outcomes include an expansion of the organizations service delivery area, a record fundraising campaign, and record net financial gains.

• Developed strategies to maximize the fundraising potential of events and expand the regional mandate of the organization.o Chaired signature event steering committees and developed an analysis model to determine strategic allocation of organizational resources to third party eventso Solicited sponsorship for signature events and recruited community leaders to an event fundraising cabinet in order to systematically expand fundraising capacityo Developed the regional network through relationship building with, local hospitals and recruited regional representation to the funds allocation committee• Outcomes include expanded funding for local hospitals as a result of regional partnerships, and the successful expansion of signature events.

• Represented the Town of Arnprior and provided vision and strategic advice in the development of tourism promotion strategies.o Recruited new business members to the organizationo Enhanced community and municipal understanding of the tourism industryo Recruited a Renfrew County Council representative • Outcomes include the establishment of a Destination Marketing Organization, greater integration of local businesses into the regional tourism sector and expanded membership.

• Participated in the founding of a Hospital Foundation in order to support community engagement and fundraising capacity.o Coached staff in the development of a youth volunteer programo Established governing bylaws, developed a strategic plan and branding strategy, conducted a fundraising feasibility study, and launched a $3.5M capital campaign.o Recruited a member of the campaign steering committee and solicited a lead donation of $100,000.• Outcomes include successful completion of an inaugural capital campaign and the redevelopment of the Hospital’s Emergency Room.

• Initiated, designed and championed a project to engage youth, develop organizational capacity and facilitate youth-led recreational programs.o Established partnerships with schools, service clubs and local business to promote youth activitieso Established a Skateboard Club, organized events and initiated a public relations campaign to raise funds for the construction of a new Skateboard park.o Facilitated a youth organized spring festival downtown in partnership with the Business Improvement Association• Outcomes include a sustainable youth program that has received numerous provincial awards for outstanding levels of youth engagement and participation as well as the construction of a Skateboard park.