PENTICTON, B.C. – Two northern B.C. leaders have been appointed to the 2025–26 Board of Directors of the British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA), bringing northern experience and Indigenous economic leadership to the provincial stage.
Deklan Corstanje, Manager of Economic Development for the City of Prince George, has been named Treasurer and Director for the Northeast/Cariboo region. Darrin McCormack, CEO of Kitselas Development Corporation near Terrace, has been appointed Director for the North Coast/Nechako.
The announcement was made May 20 following BCEDA’s Annual General Meeting and the BC Economic Summit held earlier this month in Penticton.
Corstanje brings a strong municipal background and a commitment to regional economic resilience. His role in Prince George has included spearheading business retention initiatives, attracting new investment, and working closely with industry partners to support growth in northern communities.
McCormack leads the Kitselas Development Corporation, the economic arm of the Kitselas First Nation. Under his leadership, the organization has grown into a key player in northwest B.C., focusing on energy, infrastructure, and resource-based partnerships. His appointment to the board reflects BCEDA’s ongoing efforts to engage Indigenous leadership in shaping economic development across the province.
“We’re proud to welcome a board that reflects the diversity and strength of economic development across B.C.,” said Rocio Zielinski, incoming Chair of BCEDA and General Manager of Stó:lō Community Futures. “Deklan and Darrin each bring valuable northern and Indigenous perspectives that are essential to building a stronger, more inclusive provincial economy.”
BCEDA is the leading voice for economic development in British Columbia. Its board members represent regions from Vancouver Island to the Kootenays, and from the Lower Mainland to the Cariboo. The association provides training, resources, and advocacy for economic development professionals and supports communities as they build sustainable, resilient local economies.
