Matthew Martel, previously COO of Halifax non-profit the Black Business Initiative, will replace Rustum Southwell as its CEO.

Southwell will retire Monday but oversee the transition to Martel’s leadership as an advisor.

Martel is a serial entrepreneur who holds a Master's Degree in Technology, Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Saint Mary's University and serves on the board of the Halifax Airport Authority and the Downtown Halifax Business Commission. He was also previously a board member at Acadia University’s Institute for Data Analytics.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be leading the Black Business Initiative and I'm eager to work with the BBI team to continue our mission of promoting and supporting black-owned businesses,” said Martel in a statement. “I am confident that the organization will continue to make a real difference in the lives of black entrepreneurs and the communities in which we serve.”

Martel is no stranger to the startup community. As well as graduating from SMU's graduate program for entrepreneurs, he also went through the Starting Lean program, which was the main entrepreneurship program at Dalhousie University a few years ago.  

Created in 1996 by the provincial and federal governments, the Black Business Initiative offers a range of programming to support Black founders, including a consultancy and an investment fund.