Alaina Lockhart

Alaina Lockhart is an entrepreneur, a former politician, a community volunteer and a true champion for people living in rural towns and villages. During her 20 years of working in and for rural communities she has gained real life experience and lessons that she's now bundled into a series of keynote speeches and workshops that will transform communities no matter their size.

While serving as the first woman ever elected as the Member of Parliament representing the federal riding of Fundy Royal in New Brunswick, Canada, she was a major force for rural Canada leading the charge to create the Atlantic Immigration Pilot that has resulted in the highest population growth rate in rural Atlantic Canada since the 1970's, making changes to the federal infrastructure funds to include a specific carve out for rural communities, developing a National Tourism Strategy that recognizes the economic potential of investing in rural tourism, and being a strong voice for rural connectivity resulting in a historic $5 Billion investment that will see 100% of Canadian households connected to high-speed internet by 2030.

Lockhart and her husband are now owners of a microbrewery that has turned into a real attraction for visitors, inspiration for other local businesses, and one more reason to consider moving back home to the Town of Sussex. She tells an engaging and inspiring story about her journey from young professional, to entrepreneur, to municipal councillor, to member of the Government of Canada. A journey that ignited her passion for the potential of rural communities. She continues to be a community builder and is now a consultant developing positive stakeholder results with her IGNITE Community Growth Model - a values and opportunities based approach to community growth and rural sustainability.