Brett Hawken, B.Comm, CLGM

Brett holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing from MacEwan University, where he played varsity golf, a passion he still enjoys today. He has also completed the National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration (NACLAA) Levels I & II and holds his Certified Local Government Manager (CLGM) designation.

 

 

He began his public service journey in 2019 as a Municipal Intern at Big Lakes County, gaining hands-on experience across all departments and building a strong foundation in how municipalities operate at a systems level.

 

 

In 2020, Brett was promoted to Executive Director of Community and Protective Services at Big Lakes County. There, he led major initiatives including a full fire services review, supported regional collaboration, and advanced Council priorities. During the 2023 wildfires, he served as Deputy Director of Emergency Management and Planning Section Chief, gaining valuable experience leading in high-pressure and rapidly evolving situations.

 

 

In late 2023, Brett relocated to the Calgary region to take on the role of Manager of Legislative Services for the Town of Cochrane and to start his family. He and his wife welcomed their daughter Maeve in October 2024, born in the beautiful mountain town of Canmore. In this role, he introduced measurable performance indicators, implemented cross-departmental systems, and supported the emergency management team as Planning Section Chief during the 2024 Cochrane Wastewater Emergency. He later completed his Director of Emergency Management (DEM) certification, enabling him to serve as Deputy DEM.

 

 

Currently, Brett is based in Edson, Alberta, where he serves as the General Manager of Corporate Services for the Town of Edson. His work focuses on strengthening internal systems, improving operational clarity, and supporting leadership teams in managing complex and evolving priorities.

 

 

Alongside his municipal leadership role, Brett is actively researching and applying artificial intelligence within municipal operations. This includes using AI to support strategic planning, project management, reporting, and internal workflows. He is currently further developing his skills through hands-on AI training and practical application, with a focus on how AI can be introduced in a way that is useful, responsible, and aligned with municipal governance.

 

 

Through Hawken Consulting Group, Brett works with municipalities to modernize leadership, improve internal processes, and explore how AI can be applied in a practical way to reduce workload, improve consistency, and support better decision-making. He brings a forward-thinking but grounded approach, helping organizations move beyond traditional ways of operating while maintaining accountability and control.