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’s also completed the National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration (NACLAA) Levels I & II and has acquired his Certified Local Government Manager (CLGM) designation.

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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 for a systems-level approach to local government.

 

In 2020, Brett was promoted to Executive Director of Community and Protective Services at Big Lakes County. There, he led projects such as a full fire services review, responded to the 2023 wildfires as Deputy Director of Emergency Management and Planning Section Chief, and stepped into the role of Acting CAO, advancing Council priorities, regional collaboration, and strategic advocacy.

 

In late 2023, Brett relocated to the Calgary region taking 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 contributed to the emergency management team as the Planning Section Chief during the 2024 Cochrane Wastewater Emergency. He later completed his Director of Emergency Management (DEM) certification, allowing him to step into the Deputy DEM role.

 

Currently, Brett is based in Edson, Alberta, where he serves as the Interim General Manager of Corporate Services for the Town of Edson. While he holds a full-time role during the day, Brett remains passionate about helping organizations modernize leadership, enhance internal culture, and optimize processes for long-term sustainability. He continues to offer consulting services outside of regular business hours and brings a fresh, forward-thinking perspective to organizations looking to innovate and move beyond traditional ways of operating.