Lisa Bélanger is the CEO of the Rural Development Network and is dedicated to RDN’s mission of building community capacity through collaboration and addressing the critical gaps in rural social and economic development. Lisa leads the organization with a focus on fostering partnerships and building capacity to empower rural communities to thrive. She believes that through collaborative efforts and leveraging the unique strengths of rural communities, sustainable development and meaningful progress can be achieved in rural areas. Formerly serving as the Director of Operations at RDN, Lisa was instrumental in developing strategies for effective community-focused operations, organizational growth, and financial sustainability. Her extensive knowledge of RDN's programs and her deep understanding of community needs and opportunities enable her to continue driving the organization's mission forward. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta, focusing on Strategic Management and Operations with a minor in Business Economics and Law.