Norm Schleehahn

Director, Economic Development at City of Hamilton

Speaker

Norm Schleehahn has helped lead Hamilton's economic resurgence since becoming the City's Director of Economic Development in March 2020. Leading one of Canada's most respected Economic Development Offices, he has been instrumental in catalyzing economic growth, job creation, and revitalization throughout the city.

With over 30 years of experience in economic development, Norm has facilitated thousands of new jobs, overseeing the development and redevelopment of millions of square feet of space, and attracting billions of dollars in new investment to Hamilton. In 2023, Hamilton reached a record-breaking $2.55 billion in building permit value — $700 million of this was industrial/commercial activity and additional $600 million was concentrated in the city’s downtown core. Norm’s strategic leadership helped the city's economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating the Mayor's Task Force on Economic Recovery and implementing the 2021-2025 Economic Development Action Plan.

A passionate advocate for his profession, Norm is a past President of the Economic Developers Council of Ontario and has served on the Economic Developers Association of Canada board. He is currently an active member of the International Economic Development Council, where he contributes to evaluating and accrediting best-practice economic development organizations across North America.

Norm holds a Bachelor of Commerce from McMaster University and is a certified economic development professional through the Economic Developers Association of Canada and the International Economic Development Council.