FCM President announces Carole Saab as the next CEO
Posted in: News Item
Date Posted: 2020-05-21
Organization Name: Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Bill Karsten, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), has announced Carole Saab as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer following the upcoming retirement of Brock Carlton.
“On behalf of the FCM Board of Directors, I am excited to announce that Carole Saab will serve as FCM’s next CEO,” Karsten said. “Canadian municipalities have a strong champion in Carole Saab. She brings to the role of CEO a clear and ambitious vision for Canada’s municipal order of government as a force on the national and international stage.”
Karsten said Saab – who has been serving as FCM’s Executive Director, Policy & Public Affairs – has been repeatedly recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Lobbyists and has relentlessly forged new paths for local government as advocates and as builders through innovative programming.
Her ability to generate success for municipalities and FCM is evident from her record, Karsten added. He highlighted her pivotal roles in negotiating and securing historic investments in national infrastructure, municipal programming, capacity building, and more.
“This announcement marks the next step in Carole’s decade-long career with FCM. She takes on the role of CEO from her current position as the founding Executive Director of FCM’s Policy and Public Affairs division,” Karsten said. “In that role, she led FCM’s strategy related to member engagement, policy development, government relations, and communications. Her work has been crucial in reaching new levels of influence for our members.”
With the upcoming retirement of Brock Carlton this summer, who has led the organization for the past 13 years, Karsten – who described the search process for a new CEO as “exhaustive” – said the selection of the next CEO is a critical moment for FCM.
In a series of Twitter posts, Carlton said he was “delighted” by Saab’s selection, adding that “Passing the torch is hard, but this news certainly makes it easier for me.”
Carlton also praised Saab’s political and strategic acumen as having been crucial in securing vital tools and influence for municipalities of all sizes – including historic investments in FCM’s Green Municipal Fund, a national housing strategy, and last year’s doubling of the federal Gas Tax Fund transfer.
“As CEO, it has been a privilege to participate in Carole’s remarkable growth as a leader. I have no doubt that FCM is in good hands,” Carlton said. “Carole has been a key player in our work to unite and empower municipal leaders to build better lives for Canadians. She continues that work. I look forward to working closely with her to ensure a seamless and effective transition ahead of my official departure later this summer.”
FCM is the national voice for every community across this country, whether large or small, rural or urban, northern or remote. Carole is poised to lead FCM into an exciting new chapter.
“With immense pride, we also note that Carole will become the first female CEO in FCM’s 119-year history,” Karsten said. “That she should so clearly be the best person to take on this new challenge is a testament to the leadership she has already demonstrated through her career at FCM. I and the entire Board of Directors look forward to working with Carole and the FCM team as we guide Canada’s municipal order of government to new heights.”