For Immediate Release
April 9, 2025

After over 8 years, Kieran Hanley is stepping down as econext‘s CEO.

“Our team has achieved a great deal in these past years, and this role has been the opportunity of a lifetime for me,” said Hanley. “econext is in an excellent position in every respect, and I know it is the right time to hand the keys over to someone who can bring new energy and fresh ideas to the table to take the organization to a whole next level.”

“On behalf of the Board I can say that, while we regret losing Kieran as CEO, we fully support the decision that he has made to take on a new role,” said Alex Templeton, econext‘s Chair. Templeton noted that Hanley will remain with the organization in the newly created position of Chief Economic Development Officer. “We are pleased that Kieran will be staying on to lead a number of special projects and ensure a smooth transition for our new CEO.”

Hanley, who will remain CEO until a replacement has been selected, said that his successor will have an exciting job ahead of them. “The future is very bright for Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy; the opportunities are as endless as they are significant – and econext‘s CEO will play an important role in that.”

“I’m very thankful to econext‘s members who have supported my work, to the Board who took a chance on me back in 2016 (and have stood behind me ever since), past and present staff who have worked hard with me to grow this organization, and the countless colleagues, partners, and mentors that I have learned so much from these past years.”

During Hanley’s tenure as CEO the organization experienced a period of sustained growth. In this time, econext’s budget grew by a factor of 10, its staff complement more than tripled, and the breadth of scope of its activities expanded. A major re-branding effort in 2021 refocused the organization’s priorities under a new long-term strategic plan which focuses on innovation, workforce development, and the pursuit of net zero.

Templeton said econext’s Board of Directors has formed a Search Committee and has secured KBRS to commence the executive search. “We will be releasing the job advertisement in the near future.”

“We have a very strong team in place. I am proud of each and every one of my staff who are accomplishing a great deal for Newfoundland and Labrador; the organization is in excellent hands,” said Hanley.

About econext

econext is a not-for-profit association with a mission to accelerate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador by: (1) stimulating research, development, and innovation; (2) preparing its workforce for a greening economy; and (3) acting as a catalyst for climate change action within its industries, businesses, and communities. econext has been working for over 30 years on behalf of its members across many sectors to support environmentally sustainable economic development. Visit: https://econext.ca/.

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