About Derek Armstrong
Derek Armstrong is with Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), the federal government department that diversifies the economy across the Canadian Prairies. PrairiesCan leads in building a strong, competitive Canadian economy by supporting innovation, business, and community economic development unique to Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Derek is based in Calgary and is the Manager of Innovation Ecosystems. He leads a team that provides funding, advice and pathfinding to non-profit organizations such as post-secondary institutions, accelerators, incubators, industry associations and municipalities.
Derek is passionate about providing the support and foundation that innovators, entrepreneurs and SMEs need to grow and thrive. His team is working to enable growth in clean tech, value-added agriculture, life sciences, digital tech, and advanced manufacturing, in addition to fostering an inclusive ecosystem for Indigenous Peoples, women, youth and other underrepresented groups.
For the past 17 years, Derek has held various roles with the federal government in Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, which included developing strategic climate change policy and leading major public-private infrastructure projects.