The Leading Ladies of Economic Development

In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development, Kaycee talks with leaders Jenny Poon & Chelsea Smith from HUUB, the digital platform that helps cities and economic development organizations centralize resources, funding, training, and community support to help small businesses start, grow, and thrive. Jenny and Chelsea share their paths from entrepreneurship to economic developm...

In this episode of Leading Ladies of Economic Development, Kaycee welcomes Anne-Tyler Morgan, Member at McBrayer and Chair of the firm's Economic Development Practice Group. Anne-Tyler shares how growing up in rural Kentucky, riding alongside her developer father, sparked a lifelong passion for public policy, law, and community development. She discusses her unconventional path from in-house couns...

In this episode of Leading Ladies of Economic Development, Kaycee sits down with Gretchen Hunt, Director of the Office for Women for the City of Louisville, Kentucky. As a lawyer, advocate, and lifelong champion for gender equity, Gretchen has spent more than two decades improving outcomes for women, families, and communities across Kentucky. From advancing workplace policies and leadership develo...

In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development, Kaycee talks with leaders Andrea Schultz Winter & Nicole Haas from the Greater Freeport Partnership to explore how collaboration, communication, and community-driven strategy are reshaping regional economic development in northwest Illinois. Andrea Schultz and Nicole Haas share how their unexpected career paths led them into the fi...

In this powerful episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development Podcast, Kaycee sits down with Kathleen (Kat) J. Guillaume-Delemar, President and CEO of the Center for Community Progress. Kat shares her deeply personal journey—from growing up in under-resourced communities in Brooklyn during the crack epidemic to leading a national organization focused on equitable property revitalization....

In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development Podcast, host Kaycee sits down with Monica Hershberger, Chief Strategy Officer at RoleCall, to explore how communities can attract talent by embracing what makes them truly unique. Monica shares her journey into community building and how her experiences shaped her passion for helping places foster a sense of belonging. She breaks down...

In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development podcast, we welcome Rachael Parker, ArtsWave director for Northern Kentucky creative placemaking, to discuss how arts and culture strengthen communities and drive economic development. Parker shares her background as a fiber artist, arts educator, and nonprofit leader, and explains ArtsWave’s nearly 100-year legacy as the nation’s first...

Lucia Cape, Senior Vice President of Economic Development and Workforce for the Huntsville Madison County Chamber, joins host Kaycee Bunch to discuss her nearly 20-year journey from workforce leadership into overseeing business recruitment and retention across Huntsville and Madison County. In this episode, Lucia shares how Huntsville’s “Smart Place” talent campaign, data-driven third-party analys...

In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development podcast, Kaycee interviews Amalia Cunningham, AICP, owner and principal of Amalia Cunningham Consulting. They discuss Amalia's extensive experience in economic development, spanning over 20 years in local government before starting her own consulting practice. The conversation covers key topics, including the integration of planning and...

In this Season 3 kick-off episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development podcast, Janet Carlson, CEO and Creative Director of the One Eleven Group. Janet discusses her career journey, the strategic move from New York to Cornwall, Connecticut, and her extensive community involvement in Cornwall. She sheds light on how the remote work revolution has impacted local economies and offers advice...

This episode of Leading Ladies of Economic Development features a heartfelt and empowering conversation with Stephanie Bradley, a respected workforce development expert and the visionary behind Platinum Bell Consulting. Stephanie shares her personal journey—one marked by resilience, reinvention, and a deep commitment to helping people access meaningful opportunity. She and host Kaycee Bunch explor...

In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development podcast, Kaycee interviews Kimberly Rosetti, who shares her 20-year journey in economic development, from working at the Chamber of Commerce in Lexington, Kentucky to her current role at Be NKY Growth Partnership. Kimberly emphasizes the importance of mentorship, community impact, and balancing professional growth with family decisions....

In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development Podcast, we welcome Rebecca Undem! This episode emphasizes the profound belief that personal improvement leads to broader positive changes. It delves into how individual growth translates to better outcomes for the entire community. In this episode, we explore: The belief that personal improvement leads to broader positive impacts in al...

In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development Podcast, we welcome Lindsey Karas Stencel and Danielle Blount, of Bold Ventures, to discuss how traditional venture capital can align profit with wellness. Lindsey shares her journey through various high-stress roles that led to the creation of Bold Ventures, a $30 million venture capital fund focused on underserved founders in key sect...

In this episode of Leading Ladies of Economic Development, Deb Brown, co-founder of Save Your Town and author of From Possibilities to Reality , shares her journey from rural Iowa to her national work revitalizing small towns. She discusses the founding of Savior Town and introduces the “idea friendly” approach—a method centered on small, actionable steps and community collaboration. The conversat...

Join host Kaycee Bunch as she engages in a compelling discussion with Krismin Inocentes Bell, Executive Director of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon, and Nicole Davison Leon, Executive Director of the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber. The conversation emphasizes supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs, the necessity of holistic approaches in economic development, and the significant partn...

In this episode, Kaycee Bunch sits down with Danielle Casey, CEcD, EDFP, President & CEO of the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance, to uncover her unconventional path to economic development. From growing up as a military kid to leading in a male-dominated industry, Danielle shares how mentorship, lifelong learning, and strategic networking shaped her career. She also gives a behind-the-sc...

Mary Cacioppi, founder and CEO of Bridges to Prosperity in Northern Illinois and Author of Economic Development that Benefits Everyone , joins host Kaycee Bunch to explore the connection between economic growth and community development in the fight against poverty. With 25 years of experience – from the Rockford Chamber of Commerce to leading impactful initiatives – Mary shares key insights on co...

Sandy Dubay, CEcD, President and CEO of PPR Strategies, shares her dynamic journey from an early start in economic development to owning her own marketing and communications firm. Joining host Kaycee Bunch, Sandy discusses the importance of relationships, overcoming career challenges, and breaking barriers in the field. She also highlights the value of certifications and continuous learning, offer...

Didi Caldwell is the President and CEO of Global Location Strategies. Carrie Kelly is the Managing Director of the Site Selectors Guild. They discuss the intricacies of preparing investment-ready sites, the evolution and impact of the REDI Sites program, and the crucial differences between economic developers and site selectors. In this episode, we explore: The launch and impact of the REDI Sites...

Brittany LaCour Deal, M.S, CEcD, CERP shares her journey from an aspiring reporter to becoming a pivotal figure in economic development with the Lafayette Economic Development Authority. Recognized for her leading role, Brittany emphasizes the importance of "failing fast" to learn and grow quickly. She discusses her current and future roles, revealing how her adaptability and business intelligence...

In this episode, we explore: The future of industry incentives in Kentucky Advocacy and collaboration for housing solutions The importance of organization in membership engagement The power of flexibility, priority management, assertiveness, and a competitive spirit How Terri co-founded ‘Empower Frankfort’ a network of women leaders Quotable “I would say to every woman, while it's not easy, I woul...

Today we’re joined by New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Creative Industries Division Director and JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) practitioner Shani Harvie and JEDI Coordinator Rita Veleta. We'll delve into their inspiring journeys, the impact of the pandemic on minority communities, and the essential role of DEI in economic development. * In this episode, we explore: *...

Today’s guest is Melissa Meschke CEcD,EDP, Executive Director of St. Croix Economic Development Corporation. She has forged a unique path from growing up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin to building a career through many roles, including marketing and small business management. She highlights the importance of leveraging professional networks, giving advice for women transitioning to leadership roles,...

* In this episode, we explore: * The importance of regional cooperation The creative energy solutions that are pushing Kentucky towards a sustainable future Why resilience, passion, and adaptability are essential in economic development Expansion of the bourbon industry in Kentucky … and how to focus on what makes your workforce unique Quotable “Sometimes 50 jobs does transform a community. When y...