2023 Strategic Program Speakers

Rick Christiaanse is a seasoned senior executive in the corporate, public, and not-for-profit sectors, bringing decades of senior business leadership experience driving growth and negotiating major investments globally.

He’s worked with startups to billion-dollar enterprises, leading teams in foreign direct investment and the international tech ecosystem, serving as an experienced connector between business, governments, stakeholders, and not-for-profit organizations. Rick joined Invest Alberta in October 2021, building an engaging local and international team that has attracted nearly $20 billion in diverse, high-impact investments to Alberta to date.

Rick has served as Chief Operating Officer of Skidmore Group, General Manager of Glentel Inc., Vice President of Channel Marketing for Shift Networks, Senior Director- Sales and Marketing for TELUS/TELUS International and Executive Vice President of Sport BC. At the board level, he served as Chairman of the Broadway Benevolent Association, Chair of the Translink Governance Committee, and Vice-Chairman of Vancity’s Nominations and Election Committee.