The Leading Ladies of Economic Development

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...

Cecilia Harry's journey began in the early 2000s when she was a psychology student with aspirations of becoming a professor and pursuing a PhD. However, life took an unexpected turn, leading her into social services. In the state of Indiana, she dedicated herself as a case manager for child protective services. For several years, she conducted investigations and managed cases, providing crucial su...

A driving force in economic development, Dr. Eloisa Klementich’s career has spanned Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and Atlanta. She is driven by her passion for transforming communities through strategic business programs, securing critical funding, and supporting companies like Athenahealth and Mailchimp. In this episode, we explore: Invest in Atlanta's unique approach during the COVID-19 pandemic...

Sue Matton, from the North Country Chamber of Commerce, shares her journey in economic development, from overcoming post-9/11 regulatory challenges to establishing a pilot school for foreign students and advocating for changes in U.S. laws. We'll discuss the North American Center of Excellence for Transportation Equipment and the significance of community preparedness for unexpected events like ba...

In this episode, we explore: What is the Economic Recovery Corps Program? Nicole's role in framework creation and stakeholder collaboration Selection criteria balancing distress, equity, and organizational capacity How the involvement of fellows impacts long-term development efforts The power of listening, empathizing, and connecting in leadership Quotable “If we can create those incentives and th...

About the Episode Carolee Wenderoth, the first person to ever occupy an advisory role on Tribal issues as the U.S EDA Tribal Engagement Coordinator, is passionate about building and expanding relationships among all levels of government with American Indians, Indian Tribes, Alaska natives, and other Native communities, as well as national and state economic development corporations. Join Carolee a...

About the Episode Combining regionalism and ruralism is easier said than done. How do we balance support for our region while also competitively marketing our rural communities? Join Lorie Vincent, the Founder of Acceleration By Design, and Kaycee as they explore the topics of regionalism, female empowerment, and rural America. Lorie shares her insight into the importance of building regionalism,...

About the Episode The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a massive challenge for working parents: affordable and accessible childcare. However, Michigan state leadership saw an opportunity to tackle that challenge head-on by providing a way to split the cost of childcare between the state of Michigan, employers, and employees. Join Cheryl Bergman, the CEO of the Michigan Women's Commission, and Kaycee as t...

About the Episode Many communities want to attract the greatest and most well-known high-tech companies. But, do they have the capacity to retain them? Would they even be a good fit for their communities? How would they know? Beka Burton from the Community and Economic Development Initiative of KY (CEDIK) breaks down the importance of embracing technology as an opportunity to fill data intelligenc...

About the Episode The night of December 10th, 2021, changed the lives of many people, including Kathy O'Nan, the Mayor of Mayfield, Kentucky. Mayor O'Nan is a courageous and empathetic leader who advocates for her community and dedicated to recovering and revisioning the hope and future of Mayfield. Hey story serves as a powerful example of what economic recovery looks like in rural Kentucky and h...

Welcome to the Leading Ladies of Economic Development Podcast. I am your host, Kaycee Bunch. Tune in to hear why I started LLED and how you can stay connected!