Todd Hirsch

The Modern Economist

For more than 25 years, Todd Hirsch has worked as an economist for such renowned institutes as ATB Financial, the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Canada West Foundation, and the Bank of Canada. With a front row seat to the key issues and trends impacting and transforming the economy, Hirsch delivers dynamic, clear-eyed talks on topics ranging from creativity and adaptability to the future of work. He explores new ways to think about the economy in order to thrive in a permanently uncertain world.

Hirsch is the author of four books. His latest, Spiders in COVID Space: Adapting During and After the Pandemic, captures the inspiring and compelling stories of businesses and not-for-profits that reinvented themselves during the pandemic. For three seasons, he was also the host of the podcast, The Future Of, where he explored what the future might look like for work, communities, art and culture, leadership, and other compelling topics. The podcast won a national award in 2021.

Hirsch has been recognized as one of Alberta’s most influential people. He’s also the recipient of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the University of Alberta’s Alumni Honour Award, and an honourary degree from Mount Royal University. Hirsch previously taught economics at the University of Calgary and for the Executive Education program at the University of Alberta.

A strong advocate of the arts and culture, Hirsch serves on the board of Calgary’s Glenbow Museum, and previously served on the boards of the Alberta Ballet and the Calgary Arts Academy. In addition, he served on the University of Calgary Board of Governors and is currently a special advisor to the Dean of the Chiu School of Business at Calgary’s Bow Valley College.