Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) provides unique programs and services to women at all stages of business through advertising, financing, mentoring, and network development. Established in 1995, AWE believes that our communities are stronger when women are full participants in entrepreneurship. Over the past 25+ years AWE has been providing tools and resources to help women across the province succeed in starting or growing a business.

THE ROLE

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs across Alberta by providing access to resources, mentorship, financial support, and a robust network of stakeholders. Reporting to a Board of Directors, the CEO will lead a team of more than 10 dedicated professionals with an extended team of 10 subject matter experts/consultants.

AWE is in a key growth phase looking to support women entrepreneurs across Alberta in meeting their evolving needs, the CEO will play a pivotal role in achieving the following strategic priorities: 

• Expansion of Support Services: Enhancing programs that support women entrepreneurs, particularly those in underserved or emerging sectors, and extending services to new geographic areas across Canada. 
• Advocacy and Policy Leadership: Strengthening AWE’s influence in the community, via advocacy and partnership to enhance opportunities for women entrepreneurs. 
• Sustainability and Impact: Ensuring long-term organizational sustainability through diverse funding strategies, including grants, partnerships, and social enterprise initiatives. 
• Community and Ecosystem Engagement: Building strategic alliances with government bodies, corporations, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem to amplify AWE’s mission. 

THE CANDIDATE

The successful candidate:

• Has post-secondary education in a relevant field. Equivalent experience may be considered.
• Has a proven track record of organizational leadership and change management.
• Has knowledge and experience pertaining to business operations, entrepreneurship, and strategic partnership development.

Additional Competencies:

• Leadership in Nonprofit or Social Impact Organizations
• Strategic Planning and Implementation
• Stakeholder Management
• Financial Management and Fund Development

Key Responsibilities:

• The CEO will navigate a complex environment encompassing political landscapes, policy influence, community engagement, and operational leadership.
•  The role requires balancing strategic vision with practical execution, ensuring AWE remains agile and resilient in a dynamic marketplace.
•  The CEO must also act as a visible and credible advocate for women entrepreneurs, employing both traditional and innovative approaches to drive impact. 
• The CEO must possess a deep understanding of external relationships, demonstrate political acumen, and comprehend the provincial landscape and government relationships at all levels.
•  AWE requires a growth-focused CEO with strong leadership capabilities to establish internal operations that allow for strategic oversight. Experience in leading an organization through design and transformation is preferred. 
• Experience with entrepreneurship within or outside Alberta, with an understanding of the small business ecosystem, is advantageous. The CEO can be located anywhere in Alberta, with a preference for Calgary or Edmonton.
• Experience working with or reporting to a Board and the ability to design and execute a fund development strategy are also preferred. 

We understand and appreciate our clients’ ever-increasing desire for candidates to reflect the communities in which they work and live. The Vogel Group is committed to inclusivity and diversity as we search for outstanding leadership talent for our clients.

We encourage candidates of all ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, physical challenges, sexual orientations, and identifications to feel confident in exploring and declaring candidacy for any of our search assignments.

For a full profile or to apply, please contact:

Rick Vogel, ICD.D                       

Founding Principal                       

780.665.4965 ext. 101     

rick@thevogelgroup.ca