This is part of a year-long ‘Love for Local’ series called NB365: portraits of New Brunswick entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations. Huddle is a media partner with Love for Local. Today, we hear about Paulette Hicks from Envision Saint John.

PAULETTE HICKS IS A DYNAMIC BUSINESS LEADER WITH OVER 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY WHERE SHE WAS RECOGNIZED FOR HER BOLD THINKING AND LEADERSHIP. AS THE INAUGURAL CEO FOR ENVISION SAINT JOHN: THE REGIONAL GROWTH AGENCY, PAULETTE BRINGS A PASSION FOR HER COMMUNITY AND THE ABILITY TO LEAD TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE, DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND DELIVER RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR THE SAINT JOHN REGION.

Paulette leads a high-performing, unified team with a strategic focus on attracting people, business, visitors and investors to accelerate growth for the six municipalities of St. Martins, Grand Bay-Westfield, Hampton, Quispamsis, Rothesay, and the City of Saint John. The Agency is designed to scale and will be one of the largest regional economic development agencies in Atlantic Canada.

Paulette has also led community economic growth initiatives throughout her career. She initiated the first voluntary hotel levy in New Brunswick which was the catalyst for a public-private partnership with the City of Saint John, resulting in the formation of Discover Saint John. She also was the driving force to secure the $10 Million Social Innovation Fund for community poverty reduction and recently conceived the 20% provincial tourism rebate – designed to generate revenue for the New Brunswick tourism industry throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. She is also an experienced government relations advocate driving policy decisions at the highest level.

Paulette has an unwavering and long-standing commitment to service in the community. She most recently was a member of the board of the Saint John Airport, the NB Medical Education Foundation- Advancement Committee, Co-Chair of the Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative and Co-Chair of the New Brunswick Hotel Association. She was also a founding member of RiseUpSJ, working with other business leaders passionate about the future of Greater Saint John.