Alia Abbas MA, BREP

I attribute my success to the unwavering support of my parents, who instilled in me a strong sense of confidence, purpose, and belonging from an early age. They always reminded me that I had value to offer and that I deserved a seat at any table where I could contribute meaningfully. They also taught me that if there was no room at the table, I had the ability to build my own table and invite others who were standing in the room without a place to sit. That lesson has profoundly shaped my leadership philosophy and my commitment to creating opportunities for others.

One of the most important principles my parents taught me was to listen carefully and to offer advice only when it is truthful, kind, helpful, thought-provoking, and motivational. They encouraged me to give the same advice to others that I would give to myself. This guidance has become a cornerstone of both my personal values and my professional approach to leadership.

My parents also made significant sacrifices to support my education and professional development. They often traveled with me to conferences, which gave us the opportunity to explore cities and communities beyond the formal event agenda. Those experiences taught me to see places through a local lens and to better understand the people, cultures, and industries that define each community. This perspective has been invaluable in my work in economic development, where understanding local context is essential to creating meaningful and sustainable impact.

I also owe much of my success to my education and to the professors, mentors, and colleagues who guided me throughout my career. They challenged me to think critically, encouraged me to pursue ambitious goals, and opened doors to new relationships and opportunities that helped shape my professional journey.

Ultimately, my success is rooted in a strong foundation of family support, education, mentorship, and a commitment to lifting others as I grow. I have been fortunate to have people who believed in my potential, and their example has inspired me to create space for others, foster inclusive leadership, and build communities where everyone has an opportunity to contribute and succeed.

The best career advice I have ever received was to be intentional about the projects I choose to take on and to recognize the value of my expertise. Early in my career, I learned that not every opportunity is the right opportunity. It is important to focus on projects that align with your long-term goals, build your skills, and allow you to make a meaningful impact.

I was also encouraged not to be shy about my credentials, experience, and the value I bring to an organization. As professionals, particularly women, we sometimes underestimate our worth. It is essential to advocate for yourself and ensure that your compensation reflects your knowledge, qualifications, and contributions.

Another piece of advice that has been incredibly valuable is the importance of volunteering. Volunteer work is one of the best ways to expand your professional network, develop leadership skills, and pursue passion projects that may not be part of your day-to-day responsibilities. It provides a safe space to test your abilities, take on challenges you might not otherwise pursue, and gain experience in new areas.

For me, volunteering has opened doors to opportunities that shaped my career, from serving on international boards to leading major initiatives and conferences. It has allowed me to explore new ideas, build lasting relationships, and demonstrate my capabilities in ways that extended beyond my formal job titles.

Ultimately, the best career advice I received is to be strategic about where you invest your time, know your worth, and embrace volunteer opportunities as a way to grow both personally and professionally. These principles have helped me broaden my horizons, strengthen my leadership skills, and create a career that is both impactful and deeply fulfilling.

My advice to young women entering the field of economic development is to always seek out mentors and intentionally build your own community of support. Having trusted mentors can provide guidance, help you navigate challenges, and offer valuable perspective as you grow in your career. At the same time, it is equally important to create a network of peers, colleagues, and champions who will encourage you and open doors to new opportunities.

I believe strongly that relationships are a two-way street. Networking is not simply about asking for help; it is about building genuine, mutually beneficial relationships based on trust, respect, accountability, and transparency. Be willing to contribute, support others, and share your knowledge along the way. Some of the most meaningful professional connections are built when you focus on how you can add value to others, not just what you hope to gain.

Authenticity is one of your greatest strengths. Do not feel pressured to conform to someone else’s leadership style or career path. Your unique experiences, perspectives, and ideas are what will distinguish you and enable you to make a lasting impact. Confidence comes from embracing who you are and recognizing the value you bring to the table.

I also encourage young women to say yes to new opportunities, even when they feel outside their comfort zone. Volunteer for projects, speak at conferences, pursue certifications, and take on leadership roles. Each experience expands your skills, builds your credibility, and introduces you to people who can support your journey.

Most importantly, as you advance in your career, bring others with you. Mentor emerging professionals, create opportunities for those who may not yet have a seat at the table, and help build a more inclusive and supportive industry. True leadership is not only about personal success; it is about empowering others to succeed as well.

The biggest challenges and opportunities in the field of economic development today are deeply interconnected. We are living in a period of significant global change, and communities that are able to adapt strategically will be best positioned to succeed.

Biggest Challenges in Economic Development

1. Economic Uncertainty and Trade Disruptions

One of the most pressing challenges is navigating global trade uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions. Communities are facing increased pressure to diversify their economies, reduce dependency on single markets, and build more resilient local supply chains. Canada and Ontario continue to emphasize trade diversification and resilience as central economic priorities.  

2. Productivity and Competitiveness

Many regions are struggling with stagnant productivity growth, aging infrastructure, and regulatory barriers. To remain competitive, communities need to invest in innovation, digital transformation, workforce development, and infrastructure modernization. The OECD has highlighted the need to strengthen infrastructure planning and improve transparency to reduce delays and increase competitiveness.  

3. Workforce and Talent Shortages

Across North America, communities are facing shortages in skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, logistics, and technology. Attracting, retaining, and upskilling talent has become one of the most critical factors in supporting business growth and investment attraction.

4. Climate Change and Resilience

Communities are increasingly dealing with extreme weather events, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and environmental risks. Economic developers must integrate sustainability, business continuity, and disaster preparedness into their strategies to protect businesses and local economies.

5. Accountability and Transparency

There is growing demand for governments and economic development organizations to demonstrate measurable outcomes and communicate openly with stakeholders. Communities want to know how public resources are being used, what results are being achieved, and how decisions are made. Strong accountability and transparency build trust and ensure economic development efforts are aligned with community priorities. Transparency and governance are also becoming more important in emerging areas such as infrastructure planning and artificial intelligence.  

Biggest Opportunities in Economic Development

1. Supply Chain Resilience and Allyshoring

The reconfiguration of global supply chains presents significant opportunities for communities to attract new investment and help local businesses enter international supply chains. Industries are seeking reliable and politically stable jurisdictions such as Canada and the Great Lakes region.

2. Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies

AI and automation are transforming how businesses operate and how communities analyze data, manage leads, and deliver services. Organizations that responsibly adopt these technologies can improve productivity and make more informed decisions. At the same time, governance and transparency will be essential as adoption accelerates.  

3. Clean Technology and Critical Minerals

Canada is well positioned to benefit from investments in critical minerals, clean energy, hydrogen, battery manufacturing, and water-intensive industries. Recent federal initiatives continue to support strategic projects that strengthen long-term competitiveness.

4. Interprovincial and Cross-Border Collaboration

Reducing barriers to trade and labour mobility within Canada and strengthening Canada–U.S. partnerships offer major opportunities to create more integrated and resilient regional economies.  

5. Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth

Entrepreneurs remain central to local economic development. Supporting innovation, succession planning, and access to capital will help communities create jobs and diversify their economies.  

My Perspective

I believe the greatest opportunity in economic development is helping communities become more resilient, competitive, and future-ready. This means combining strategic planning with measurable results, using data to guide decisions, and ensuring that all initiatives are grounded in accountability and transparency.

Economic development is no longer just about attracting companies. It is about building ecosystems where businesses can grow, supply chains are secure, talent is developed, and communities are prepared to adapt to change. Those that embrace innovation, collaborate across sectors, and communicate openly with stakeholders will be best positioned to thrive.

The values that are most important to me in both my professional and personal life are integrity, accountability, transparency, service, and continuous learning.

Integrity is the foundation of everything I do. I believe in acting ethically, honoring my commitments, and making decisions that align with my principles, even when doing so is difficult. Integrity builds trust and credibility, which are essential in leadership and in lasting relationships.

Accountability is equally important to me. I believe individuals and organizations should take responsibility for their actions, decisions, and outcomes. In my professional work, accountability means setting clear goals, measuring results, and following through on commitments. In my personal life, it means being dependable, owning my mistakes, and learning from them.

Transparency is a value I hold in high regard because open and honest communication creates trust and strengthens collaboration. Whether I am leading a project, working with stakeholders, or building personal relationships, I strive to communicate clearly, share information openly, and ensure that expectations are understood by everyone involved.

Service and community impact guide much of my work. I am deeply motivated by the opportunity to help communities, businesses, and individuals succeed. My career in economic development has allowed me to support entrepreneurs, attract investment, and create strategies that generate meaningful and measurable outcomes.

Continuous learning and innovation are also central to my values. I believe growth comes from staying curious, embracing new ideas, and constantly seeking ways to improve. This mindset has enabled me to build expertise across economic development, supply chain management, sustainability, and leadership.

Above all, I value treating people with respect and fairness. I believe that strong relationships are built on trust, honesty, and mutual support, and these principles shape both my leadership style and how I interact with others every day.