Employee spotlight – Stephen Szczerba
Meet Stephen Szczerba, Senior Business Officer at PrairiesCan
Since joining PrairiesCan in November 2021, Stephen Szczerba has played a crucial role as a Senior Business Officer in the Community Initiatives branch, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In his role, Stephen works with stakeholders to identify, develop, and manage community-led projects that create economic opportunities and improve quality of life. Reflecting on his day-to-day activities, Stephen shares, “A typical day can vary quite a bit. Some days I need to focus on project development and report writing. Other times I am out in the community building relationships and working to identify projects.”
Stephen’s journey to PrairiesCan
With a background in medical biotechnology, industry and sector development, Stephen holds a BSc and MSc from the University of Manitoba. His early career began in laboratories and later expanded to roles in both the private and public sectors, focusing on life sciences, clean technology, environmental industries, and functional foods. Stephen then joined the Manitoba government, where he implemented strategies to enhance public service work and culture. Reflecting on his career path, Stephen notes, “It would have been impossible to predict that I would find myself working on community economic development within the Government of Canada. There are so many factors and choices that you make along the way. It is interesting to look back and reflect on how your career develops.”
Memorable work at PrairiesCan
Stephen is most proud of the work he has done with social enterprises; organizations that serve clients who have experienced trauma and are at risk of continuing down harmful paths. Stephen explains, “Clients typically require government support services, and as individuals transition to the workforce, there are new economic impacts realized and significant cost savings. These life-changing projects have far-reaching economic impacts and improve the lives of some of our most vulnerable and at-risk community members.”
Reflecting on PrairiesCan as a whole, Stephen is proud that PrairiesCan’s work contributes significantly to the broader economic development goals of the Prairies. “We develop projects with a regional perspective in mind. They result in concrete economic benefits that contribute to a better quality of life for Canadians living on the Prairies.”
When it comes to emerging economic trends, Stephen is particularly excited about innovation in artificial intelligence and housing. “These are huge opportunities that matter to Canadians. I feel like our team will be right at the interface between research and development and the communities that stand to benefit from these solutions. Implementation is key.”
Working at PrairiesCan
Stephen’s favorite aspect of working at PrairiesCan is the people. “I enjoy working at a place where everyone is contributing at such a high level. It’s easy to stay motivated when your colleagues are working so hard to make a difference out there.”
Stephen’s career advice
For those looking to pursue a fulfilling career in economic development, Stephen notes the importance of being open to entry-level positions, giving careful consideration to career development and learning plans, and recognizing the complexity of economic development. “The quantity and variety of your experience matters. Be proactive, open to learning, and try out something new every day!” he suggests.
Stephen beyond the office
Outside of work, Stephen has a diverse range of interests. He enjoys learning new songs on his acoustic guitar, reading to gain new perspectives, and keeping up with his four kids, all under 14. He humorously notes that it’s becoming harder to keep up with them as they grow.
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