Clare Barnett
Director - Economic Development
City of Toronto
Clare brings a unique perspective having both private and public sector experience in international business development and marketing, economic development, attracting Foreign Direct Investment, developing Business Retention & Expansion programs, and building an award-winning Innovation District.
She has deep business development and marketing expertise cultivated through more than fifteen years with the provincial government focused on Ontario’s economic competitiveness, in addition to prior private sector experience in the technology space.
Clare served as Ontario’s representative in the United Kingdom with a mandate to further Ontario’s trade, investment and broader economic interests. She also established Ontario’s first Investment Office, leading international business development and marketing.
More recently, Clare created an award winning and accredited Economic Development Office with the City of Brampton, part of the Greater Toronto Area. Global brands invested under her leadership, and Brampton’s place on the global stage was recognized through various awards, including being ranked one of Canada’s best locations to invest.
Clare now serves as the Director of Economic Development with the City of Toronto, leading economic development in Canada’s largest city and economy. The focus of her work is Business Retention & Expansion, Office of Technology and Innovation Sectors, Trade and Investment, Business Improvement Areas, Small Business support, entrepreneurship and investment attraction.
Clare is a thought leader in economic development and is a sought-after speaker internationally. She serves as an Advisor and Board Member to many organizations such as the International Economic Development Council, the Economic Developers Council of Ontario and Organization of Women in International Trade and local start up incubators and accelerators. She has been called an inspirational leader and is personally focussed on supporting women to grow their careers in economic development.