Rick Colbourne appointed inaugural Assistant Dean, Equity and Inclusive Communities at Carleton’s Sprott School of Business

Dana Brown, Dean of the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rick Colbourne to Assistant Dean, Equity and Inclusive Communities for a two-year term, commencing on September 1, 2020.

This new position will align with Carleton University’s goals in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and Indigenous initiatives. The creation of this new role at the Sprott School of Business follows Carleton’s recent announcement of the creation of three new leadership roles at the university in these important areas.

“Social injustice expressed through inequality is an obstacle to recovery from the tumultuous period we are living through and an obstacle to our future of shared prosperity,” said Brown. “As educators, thought leaders and conduits to the business community, we can have a profound and positive influence on the way that organizations and their leaders think about purpose and progress going forward.”

This new role is a permanent position that will focus on different areas over time. During his term, Colbourne will focus on building new and innovative partnerships with Indigenous communities in education, entrepreneurship and economic development. In addition, he will help to establish a new centre of excellence for Indigenous-led research.

“Working in partnership with Indigenous industry and academic partners, the International Centre of Excellence in Indigenous Innovation and Enterprise will facilitate Indigenous-led research and education initiatives to promote Indigenous business, management and entrepreneurial capacity building that will foster sovereignty, self-determination and socioeconomic health and well-being of Indigenous communities across Canada and globally,” said Colbourne.

“Rick has vast experience and great ideas to bring to this role,” said Brown, “I look forward to working with Rick and across the Faculty on exciting new initiatives aimed at fostering a more inclusive, caring and equitable world.”

Colbourne (Mattawa/North Bay Algonquin First Nation) joined the Sprott School of Business faculty last July as Assistant Professor of Indigenous Management and Leadership. His unique, community-engaged research program includes topics in Indigenous entrepreneurship and economic development, as well Indigenous governance and leadership. While at Sprott, he has been developing new business courses that draw on Indigenous understanding and perspectives.