CEO Appointed for the Regional Economic Development Agency

Today (June 3, 2024), the municipalities of Conception Bay South, Paradise, and St. John’s, announced the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the joint Regional Economic Development Agency. Michelle Simms will assume the role effective July 9, 2024. 

Recognized as one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business Magazine, Ms. Simms brings over 20 years of executive experience to the role. She has had a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship and has excelled at growing, strengthening, and diversifying the technology sector of the province. Ms. Simms has been part of Genesis, Memorial University’s innovation hub since 2002, and has served as President and CEO of the organization since 2016.

The Regional Economic Development Agency, to be known as Advantage St. John’s, was announced last year by the three municipalities. Since then, the Steering Committee with representation from each municipality was established which led the CEO executive search.

In her role as CEO, Ms. Simms will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and strategic oversight of the agency. She will work to amplify economic growth by enhancing investment and talent attraction opportunities in the province’s capital region, highlighting what the municipalities collectively offer the global marketplace. She will also lead branding the agency to ensure that all three municipalities are represented within the organization.

A biography for Ms. Simms is included below.

Quotes

“Michelle Simms is a visionary leader who understands the unique opportunities and challenges facing our communities. Her expertise will be instrumental in advancing our collective goals, and we are so excited to have her at the helm of Advantage St. John’s. Her lifelong passion for entrepreneurship and expertise in growing, strengthening, and diversifying the technology sector of the province make her an excellent choice for this position.”

- Danny Breen, Mayor, City of St. John's

“We are thrilled to welcome Michelle Simms as the CEO of Advantage St. John’s. Her impressive track record and visionary leadership bode exceptionally well for the future of this new economic development venture. With her knowledge and expertise, we are confident that our efforts to stimulate new economic activity in the region will be significantly bolstered. Our future is indeed bright, and we look forward to the promising developments this collaboration will bring.”

- Darrin Bent, Mayor, Town of Conception Bay South

“On behalf of the Town of Paradise I extend a warm welcome to Michelle Simms to the role of CEO of Advantage St. John’s. It’s exciting to reach this stage with our regional economic development initiative, and Michelle brings the experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm needed to lead the establishment of our regional agency. Cooperation and collaboration with our municipal neighbours continue to bring benefits to Paradise and to the region, and I look forward to seeing our collective efforts in economic development take shape under the leadership of Ms. Simms.”

- Dan Bobbett, Mayor, Town of Paradise

“I’m thrilled to join Advantage St. John’s as their inaugural CEO! Through this new agency, I will work to share with the world, the stories of incredible business success happening in the St. John’s metropolitan area. Advantage St. John’s will focus on business investment and attraction as well as increasing the talent pool for local businesses as they continue to strengthen the region and the Province. I’m excited to continue building upon my more than two decades of experience in economic development through this new role and look forward to working with the municipalities.”

- Michelle Simms, CEO, Advantage St. John’s

Biography – Michelle Simms, CEO Advantage St. John’s

Michelle Simms served the technology startup community in Newfoundland and Labrador for more than two decades through Genesis, Memorial University’s high-growth, technology innovation hub. Michelle joined Genesis in 2002 and took the helm as President and CEO in 2016. She has had a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship and has excelled at growing, strengthening and diversifying the technology sector of the province.

Michelle’s passion for startups and innovation has led to her involvement with several national organizations. She is a past member of the board of directors for Gensis, the Centres of Excellence of Next Generation Networks (CENGN), Oceans Advance and Canadian Association of Business Incubators. Throughout her time with Genesis, Michelle has served on dozens of advisory committees both through Memorial University and the community.

In 2020 and again in 2021, Michelle was recognized by Atlantic Business Magazine as one of the Top 50 CEO’s in Atlantic Canada. She was also named among the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Atlantic Canada in 2021 by Atlantic Business Magazine.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Memorial University. She has completed the Queen’s Executive Leadership program, holds a certificate in Business Incubator Management from iNBIA and she has obtained her ICD.D designation by completing the Director’s Education Program at Saint Mary’s University.