Kendra Borgen, Marketing and Communications Specialist with the Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta, has been selected as a winner in the economic development profession's "40 Under 40" awards - the first-ever awards program recognizing young talent in the economic development profession on an international scale.
A five-member selection committee chose the winners from a pool of more than 150 candidates based on their exceptional contributions to the economic development industry. The award's program was managed by Development Counsellors International (DCI), a New York-based firm that specializes in economic development marketing.
"Kendra was amongst some exceptional company at the 40 under 40 awards ceremony, each with different backgrounds and from countries including the United States, Iraq and Puerto Rico. She has worked on some innovative projects that have helped position southeast Alberta as an attractive and unique place to invest in," said Wendy Blackwell, executive director for the EDA."In 2012, the team worked on the region's first virtual unmanned vehicle systems conference, launched Savour the Southeast, an eat local initiative and coordinated Renew West, a premier renewable energy conference."
Blackwell adds that she is proud of Kendra's accomplishment and really appreciates having her as part of the EDA's team.
Kendra Borgen is a certified social media strategist with a background in marketing and communications. She has an internationally recognized project development and management certificate and has worked with the EDA for three years. She has worked in the broadcast industry doing advertising, new business development and creative copy and has led a promotions team for both newspaper and magazine. Borgen started her career in economic development as a business coordinator for Community Futures Entre-corp. The youngest of the top 40 winners, Borgen looks forward to a fulfilling career in this sector.
DCI's "40 Under 40" award was designed to discover the economic development profession's rising stars.
"The people chosen by the selection committee represent a bright future for the economic development world," said Andy Levine, president of DCI. "They are a new breed of results-driven, place makers. We're very pleased to see Kendra among the winners."
DCI officially announced the winners on Sunday January 27, 2013 at an awards reception during the International Economic Development Council Leadership Summit in Orlando and will feature an in-depth profile of each on its website during 2013.
For more information on DCI's "40 Under 40" winners, visit www.aboutdci.com/40under40.
