Here to help your business thrive
Hamilton Economic Development enters 2025, the final year of the current Economic Development Action Plan, with equal measures of optimism for what is to come and gratitude for the City of Hamilton’s successes in 2024.
There is no shortage of investments and opportunities to look forward to in 2025—all due to the hard work and effort that are often years in the making. International brands continue to make Hamilton their home, and major investments from well-known companies will likely be announced within the first quarter of the year.
As Economic Development works with our partners to attract new businesses to the city, my team remains committed to providing outstanding service that will support the growth and longevity of the businesses that have already chosen to make Hamilton their home. Challenging economic times that invite questions about potential trade disruptions only underscore the importance of staying focused on the fundamentals of the local economy.
For all the uncertainty that the start of 2025 has brought forward, this year will also see new opportunities to create home-made economic growth with the completion of the Oak View Group’s renovations to the former FirstOntario Centre. This $280-million renovation will create an 18,000-seat venue that will attract top-tier concerts and sporting events from around the world.
With work beginning on the 2026-2030 Economic Development Action Plan, the Economic Development team looks forward to many opportunities to consult with the community on how the City’s efforts can support economic growth and vitality for the balance of the decade.
I invite you to connect with me or my team using the contact forms on this page.

Norm Schleehahn
Director, Economic Development
905-546-2424 ext. 2669
Contact Norm Schleehahn

Ray Kessler
Chief Corporate Real Estate Officer
905-546-2424 ext. 7019
Contact Ray Kessler

Judy Lam
Manager, Commercial Districts and Small Business
905-546-2424 ext. 4178
Contact Judy Lam

Jennifer Patterson
Manager, Business Investment and Sector Development
905-546-2424 ext. 4475
Contact Jennifer Patterson

Chris Phillips
Manager, Municipal Land Development Office
905-546-2424 ext. 5304
Contact Chris Phillips

Danielle Sbeiti
Manager, Commercial Real Estate Office
905-546-2424 ext. 7910
Contact Danielle Sbeiti

Brian Morris
Senior Business Development Consultant, Investment and Trade
905-546-2424 ext. 5602
Contact Brian Morris

Kristin Huigenbos
Coordinator, Hamilton Business Centre
905-546-2424 ext. 4110
Contact Kristin Huigenbos

Carlo Gorni
Coordinator, Urban Renewal Incentives
905-546-2424 ext. 2755
Contact Carlo Gorni

Phil Caldwell
Senior Business Development Consultant, Commercial Districts and Small Business
905-546-2424 ext. 2359
Contact Phil Caldwell

Sarah Wayland
Senior Project Manager, Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC)
905-546-2424 ext. 7565
Contact Sarah Wayland

Asmaa Al-Hashimi
Business Development Consultant, ICT & Digital Media and Life Sciences
905-546-2424 ext. 4222
Contact Asmaa Al-Hashimi

Devon Hogue
Business Development Consultant, Creative Industries
905-546-2424 ext. 3049
Contact Devon Hogue

Tyson McMann
Business Development Consultant, Agri-Food and Food & Beverage Manufacturing
905-546-2424 ext. 5780
Contact Tyson McMann

Alfonso Principato
Business Development Consultant, Advanced Manufacturing
905-546-2424 ext. 5363
Contact Alfonso Principato

Sue Rimac
Business Development Consultant, Goods Movement
905-546-2424 ext. 1011
Contact Sue Rimac

Mohammad Araf
Program Officer, Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC)
905-546-2424 ext. 4359
Contact Mohammad Araf

Cristina Geissler
Business Development and BIA Officer
905-546-2424 ext. 2632
Contact Cristina Geissler

Adam Durrant
Senior Business Development Consultant, Research and Marketing
905-546-2424 ext. 4486
Mobile: 365-323-0672
Contact Adam Durrant

Stefa Sokolowski
Business Development and Global Hamilton Officer
905-546-2424 ext. 4750
Contact Stefa Sokolowski

Anthony Urciuoli
Economic Development and Research Officer
905-546-2424 ext. 5198
Contact Anthony Urciuoli

Natasha Martinez
Community Relations Coordinator, Hamilton Immigration Partnership (HIPC)
905-546-2424 ext. 4882
Contact Natasha Martinez

Hildegard Snelgrove
Business Development Consultant, Tourism and Culture
905-546-2424 ext. 5770