Alia Abbas

Alia Abbas is a Canadian economic development strategist, consultant, and entrepreneur known for her leadership in sustainable economic growth and community resilience.

Education and Credentials

Alia holds a Master of Arts in Geography with a specialization in Economic Development from York University. She has also earned certifications in Supply Chain and Logistics, accredited by FEMA, and additional credentials from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), enhancing her expertise in economic recovery and business continuity planning.

Professional Career

As the Founder and CEO of Alia Consulting, based in Toronto with operations extending to Texas, Alia leads initiatives focused on economic recovery, investment attraction, and supply chain strategy development for economic development organizations. Her work includes assisting communities in navigating post-COVID-19 economic challenges and implementing performance measurement frameworks to support long-term sustainability.

Alia has also contributed to academic discourse as a faculty member at York University’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, where she shares her insights on economic development practices.

Recognition and Thought Leadership

Alia’s innovative approach to economic development has earned her several accolades, including the 2023 Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award, recognizing her as a rising star in the field. She was also a recipient of the 2021 EDCO Bright Ideas Competition for her team’s work on performance measurement tools designed to aid economic recovery efforts.

Her thought leadership is further demonstrated through her participation in industry podcasts, such as The Whittaker Report and the Econ Dev Show, where she discusses topics like sustainable economic development, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of sustainability into economic planning.

Areas of Expertise
• Economic recovery and resilience
• Investment attraction strategies
• Supply chain and logistics planning
• Sustainable development integration
• Stakeholder engagement and policy advocacy

Alia Abbas continues to influence the field of economic development through her commitment to building resilient, sustainable communities and fostering inclusive economic growth.