CEDC Board of Directors Application Form

Welcome

The Thunder Bay Economic Development Commission Inc. (CEDC) Board of Directors is accepting applications for a future Board of Director to serve a four-year term effective June 2026 and January 2027. Deadline for applications is end of day at 11:59 pm on April 26, 2026.

The CEDC works collaboratively with the City of Thunder Bay as well as local and regional partners to leverage Thunder Bay’s unique assets to create jobs and investment in order to sustain, grow and transform the City’s economy. The CEDC’s Economic Development Strategic Plan lays the foundation for strategies, tactics and targeted activities that will continue to build on a sustainable and thriving ecosystem to support business growth, start-ups, investment attraction and new foreign direct investment opportunities in our community.

We are recruiting new Directors to join our group of community leaders who are committed to the economic future of the Thunder Bay community. The CEDC Board of Directors is represented by a diverse group of individuals, who bring their respective experiences, interest, and ideas together to shape and support the Corporation’s strategic and policy direction. The CEDC Economic Development Board of Directors is a forward-thinking governance body which provides progressive leadership management to support the organization. Directors are expected to actively participate in monthly board meetings as well as occasional committee and/or special meetings as required throughout the year.

Interested applicants will preferably have a post-secondary education or relevant life experience, an understanding of current business issues, and previous board experience.

Currently, the Board meets on the last Wednesday morning of each month, with the exception of March, July, August, and December.

If you are interested in contributing your vision, talents, and skills to support the economic vibrancy of Thunder Bay, please complete the application and skills-based assessment below, and include a cover letter and resume.

Applicant Information

Name

Street Address

City

Postal Code

Phone Number

Business/Organization Affiliation

Years with Current Organization

Years of Skill Based Experience

Tell us more about your professional experience

Please rate your areas of knowledge, skills and experience by selecting the most relevant boxes in the table below. It is not expected that you possess knowledge, skills and experience in all the areas set out in the table. Please indicate only those areas that apply to you by clicking the box in the appropriate section.

FINANCIAL PLANNING AND BUSINESS ACUMEN

BASIC (<5 YEARS) • Understanding of budgets, financial statements, financial reporting,

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Ability to read, interpret, analyze financial statements • Ability to assess implications of financial information, operational and business decisions

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • CA/CPA designation and / or • Expert financial knowledge and experience dealing with financial risks, operational risks, and/or investments

BOARD GOVERNANCE

BASIC (<5 YEARS) No board experience but senior leadership experience

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Has served on a Board of Directors for an institution or municipal outside board

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • Chartered Director • Experience in an Officer capacity on a board • Received formal training on board governance

GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

BASIC (<5 YEARS) • Some understanding of government processes

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Elected official or senior management within government or government agency • Rudimentary understanding of government process

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • Previous experience at a ministerial level • Executive level experience within a government agency or government • Fundamental understanding of government processes • Experience in senior government advocacy

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

BASIC (<5 YEARS) • Understanding, planning and execution of IT projects

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Executive accountable for a broad range of IT functions • Senior leader in IT service delivery

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • Experience as an IT executive (CIO) accountable for developing and implementing a cross organizational IT plan and strategy

LAW & LEGAL

BASIC (<5 YEARS) • Exposure to legal framework, legislation, regulation

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Executive accountable for legal functions • Experience with legal frameworks legislation, regulations

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • Legal designation/education • Judicial experience

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

BASIC (<5 YEARS) • Appreciation for the necessity of measurable outcomes and results

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Experience with defining and implementing measurable outcomes and results

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • Executive accountable for measurable outcomes and results • Experience linking corporate results with employee performance and compensation

INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS

BASIC (<5 YEARS) • Awareness of current Indigenous affairs

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Experience owning/operating an Indigenous business • Experience with Indigenous Community Administration

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • Extensive experience with Indigenous affairs • Senior Executive Administrator with an Indigenous community, Tribal Council, Corporation, or Public Institution • Political experience (Chief, Councillor, Elected Official)

ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT

BASIC (<5 YEARS) • Awareness of risk profiles within financial, operational and HR areas

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Experience with managing a broad range of operations (i.e., financial, operational, HR)

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • Senior audit role • Senior executive accountable for operations (i.e., financial, operational, HR)

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

BASIC (<5 YEARS) • Leadership role accountable for people management

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Senior executive responsibility including a broad range of HR functions

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • Professional HR designation and/or experience as an HR executive (CHRP, CHRL, CHRE) • Experience in labour relations or as a bargaining agent

TOURISM AFFAIRS

BASIC (<5 YEARS) • Limited Tourism sector exposure

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Worked within the Tourism sector (attractions, marketing, programs)

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • Senior role in Municipal, Provincial, or Federal Tourism Department • Executive with a Tourism association (TIAO etc.)

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND VISIONING

BASIC (<5 YEARS) • Ability to think strategically and to contribute to the development of strategic and operational plans • Ability to critically assess business decisions

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Leadership experience and participation in strategic plan development

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • Senior executive experience developing and executing strategic plans, including: vision, mission and objectives

CROSS CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

BASIC (<5 YEARS) • Education or experience within a crosscultural group or organization

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Leadership experience within a cross-cultural group or organization

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • Senior Leader experience within a cross-cultural group or organization

SECOND OR ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES

BASIC (<5 YEARS) • Limited working proficiency (conversational)

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Able to speak the language with sufficient structural accuracy and comprehension

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • Complete fluency (reading, writing, speaking)

COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA RELATIONS

BASIC (<5 YEARS) • Education or experience in communications or media relations

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Responsible for communications or media relations departments

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • Executive or senior leader experience in communications or media relations

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

BASIC (<5 YEARS) • Education or experience with capital project management

INTERMEDIATE (5-9 YEARS) • Leadership/management experience with large scale capital projects

ADVANCED (10+ YEARS) • Executive or senior leader responsible for multi-million dollar capital projects

Economic Vitality and Board Contribution Inquiry

This section encompasses a series of questions designed to gauge your comprehension of Thunder Bay's economic landscape and its significance within the broader regional economy. It also delves into your understanding of the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) and its objectives. Furthermore, it seeks insights into your personal and professional aspirations as a potential member of the CEDC Board of Directors.

Briefly describe your understanding of Thunder Bay’s current economic state and its importance to the overall economy of the city and region:

Describe your understanding of the CEDC and its objectives:

Describe your personal and professional objectives as a contributing member to the CEDC Board of Directors:

Describe your experience engaging with board and committees, your role(s) and your understanding of governance:

Describe your most rewarding experience and largest challenge overcome within your organization:

Please upload your cover letter and resume

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Thank you

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