The Leading Ladies of Economic Development

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 expertise contribute to community redevelopment. In this episode, we explore: The concept and benefits of "failing fast" in professional growth Essential traits for leading women in economic development: collaboration, adaptability, and bias management The significance of building and leveraging a supportive network among women The evolution and future of Brittany Deal's roles, including her upcoming responsibilities as Director of Economic Competitiveness Strategies for bold networking and engaging effectively in the industry Quotable “Empowered women inspire and support other women, fostering a community where we can all thrive.” Resources and Links Connect with Brittany Deal on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-lacour-deal-m-s-cecd-cerp-2913645b/) Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) (https://lafayette.org/) Special Guest: Brittany LaCour Deal, M.S., CEcD, CERP.

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 would encourage you to believe in what you say and say what you believe and then act appropriately upon those beliefs." Resources and Links Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED) (https://kaedonline.org/) Connect with Terri Bradshaw on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-bradshaw-65992299/) Special Guest: Terri Bradshaw.

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, and advising them on how to overcome self-doubt and seek peer support. In this episode, we explore: * Family-first values and flexible work schedules * Diversity and opportunities in economic development * Hiring people to complement weaknesses * Saying 'yes' to challenges and combating self-doubt * Upcoming Plans for St. Croix EDC Quotable “You have the skills, the tools and the resources. It's up to you how you implement those and take that leap into the journey of moving to that next step" *Resources and Links * How to be a Power Connector by Judy Robinett (https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Power-Connector-Business/dp/1511383860) IEDC Training Courses (https://www.iedconline.org/pages/schedule/) St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (https://stcroixedc.com/) Connect with Melissa Meschke on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-r-meschke) Special Guest: Melissa Meschke, CEcD, EDP.

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: * * The concept of "targeted universalism" * The importance of community-centered events * What is JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion)? * Progressive policies vs. state bans * Diverse, resilient, and inclusive leadership models Quotable “Imagine a world where anyone can create a business and not have these huge hurdles and so much hardship trying to access capital and resources. We need to learn how to take people seriously and give them the opportunity. And why do we do that differently depending on people's demographic backgrounds?" *Resources and Links * New Mexico Economic Development Department (https://edd.newmexico.gov/) Connect with Shani Harvie (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shani-h/) Connect with Rita Veleta (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-carina-veleta/) Special Guests: Rita Veleta, EDP and Shani Harvie.

*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 you know a community well enough and you know that will make an incredible transformation, that's a lot of fun." *Resources and Links * Kentucky Touchstone Energy Cooperatives (https://www.touchstoneenergy.com/) Standup Rural America (https://www.standupruralamerica.com/) Coopapalooza (https://ekpc.coop/coopapalooza) Connect with Brittany Cox on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanyrcox/) Special Guest: Brittany Cox.

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 support to families in need. Her passion and dedication have profoundly impacted numerous lives, illustrating her commitment to making a difference beyond academic aspirations. In this episode, we explore: * ‘Male Allyship’ and Including men in discussions about women's issues * Navigating perceptions around age and experience * Promoting diversity on boards * How can employers better support working parents? * The importance of being confident and vulnerable as a leader Quotable “I've taken the risk multiple times in my career to just be my authentic self and be vulnerable about an obstacle in front of me, a challenge I was having, a solution that wasn't readily coming to me." Resources and Links SizeUp (https://www.sizeup.com/) Connect with Cecilia Harry on on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciliaharry/) Special Guest: Cecilia Harry, CEcD.

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 The importance of accessible resources for low-income earners How economic development can balance supporting both large corporations and small businesses The personal challenges she's faced in her career … and some valuable advice on persistence and authenticity Quotable "Can I get small businesses to create wealth? And as they create wealth for themselves and their family, they hire more employees that then create wealth for their employees." Resources and Links Invest Atlanta (https://www.investatlanta.com/) Advance Atlanta (https://www.advanceatlanta.com/) Connect with Dr Eloisa Klementich on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-eloisa-klementich/) Special Guest: Dr. Eloisa Klementich, CEcD.

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 base closures, natural disasters, and the pandemic. Sue offers insights into forming professional teams, mentorship, and attracting international businesses, particularly from Quebec. In this episode, we explore: * Establishing the pilot school in Plattsburgh for foreign students after the 9/11 regulations * The importance of community preparedness in the face of unexpected events * What are "red carpet" meetings? * How often should teams prepare for conversations to stay updated with new laws and industry concerns? * The role of mentorship in economic development Quotable “Being able to be there for the long haul and be willing to spend that time and that effort to maintain your companies and maintain those relationships is something I think is very important” Resources and Links North Country Good Life (https://www.northcountrygoodlife.com/) North American Center of Excellence for Transportation Equipment (https://www.namtrans.org/) Connect with Sue on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-m-96432b16/) Special Guest: Sue Matton, CEcD.

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 those things that allow people to come back at a different point in their life to serve, I think that is a really interesting model." Resources and Links International Economic Development Council (IEDC) (https://www.iedconline.org/) Economic Recovery Corps (https://economicrecoverycorps.org/) CARES Act Funding (https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/coronavirus-relief-fund) National Association of Counties (https://www.naco.org/) National Association of Development Organizations (https://www.nado.org/) National League of Cities (https://www.nlc.org/) Center on Rural Innovation (https://ruralinnovation.us/) International City County Management Association (ICMA) (https://icma.org/) RAIN Catalysts (https://www.raincatalysts.org/) United Keetoowah Band (https://www.ukb-nsn.gov/) The Center by Lendistry (https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecenterbylendistry/) Wind River Development Fund (https://wrdf.org/) Special Guest: Nicole Manapol.

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 and Kaycee as they explore the ins and outs of her role with the EDA and how she supports Tribal Nations across the United States. Key Takeaways Intentional relationship building and active listening are critical skills when supporting Tribal communities. Seek opportunities to strengthen Tribal sovereignty. The "Community of Practice" model not only has the potential to build capacity and relationships with targeted communities and local economic development practitioners but also allows the space for creative thinking to tackle community-specific challenges and barriers. Quotables "it's a special role dedicated to ensuring that underserved communities like tribal communities have representation as we look at better ways to engage with and make sure that program awareness is available." "...we have people thinking about economic development and in more creative ways or more diverse ways." "But it all starts with building relationships with tribal nations to learn about what their goals are, where they are, what their needs are." "It's having that larger conversation that get people thinking about the entire ecosystem in ways that they may not have thought about it before." "...because if we both understand what each other's goals are, and we understand what each other's assets are, and what our needs are, collectively, we're going to be able to help each other go a lot farther than if we're working in a siloed approach." "If nobody starts it, it will never happen." "Indian country is ready, and they're ready to meet the moment to make those economic development advances and as an economic development organization it would be beneficial to reach out to those tribal nations and and see how they can help advance those economic development dreams and goals." Resouces & Links (In order of their mentioning) • https://www.eda.gov/funding/funding-opportunities/fiscal-year-2021-2023-eda-planning-and-local-technical-assistance • https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/american-rescue-plan/economic-adjustment-assistance • https://www.eda.gov/strategic-initiatives/communities-of-practice/Indigenous-Economic-Development-Community-of-Practice • https://www.eda.gov/about/economic-development-glossary/edd • https://www.eda.gov/news/blog/2022/10/24/tribal-nations-awarded-through-build-back-better-regional-challenge • https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs • https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/recompete-pilot-program • https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/american-rescue-plan/indigenous-communities • https://www.eda.gov/about/contact/ • https://www.eda.gov/news/blog/2022/07/14/spotlight-edas-first-tribal-economic-development-representative-ernest-weston Special Guest: Carolee Wenderoth.

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 they explore the ins and outs of the FIRST EVER state-wide cost-share program and how it's launched a nationwide phenomenon solution to affordable childcare for working parents. Key Takeaways Want to understand the critical issues of childcare? Survey the women in your workforce. Enlist regional hubs to assist in the administrative tasks. Build a network to advocate for working parents (employers, providers, working parents, regional hubs, state departments, legislatures). Make it easy for employers and childcare providers to utilize tools and resources; don't bog them down in administrative hurdles. Be strategic and implement a fierce advocacy campaign. When developing creative ways to combat the challenge of childcare, be flexible and listen to employers, childcare providers, and families about what the needs are in each avenue. Quotables "...everywhere we went, the women's priorities were economic security issues with affordable, accessible child care at the top of the list." "And I gotta tell you, there were a lot of tears on a lot of those calls because it was a struggle with all the child care facilities shutting down, schools closed women trying to work remotely and help their kids." "During the pandemic, more than 300, 000 women in Michigan left the workforce entirely." "...our employers are identifying that attraction and retention of employees is one of their top priorities right now." "...of the big things that we were piloting and trying to figure out will employers actually put skin in the game." "Build a coalition with all the voices..." "...one of our biggest barriers to getting employers signed on was just making sure they knew it was available." "Maybe the tri-share exactly how we're doing it isn't what will work in your community or in your state, but get everybody together and figure out what will work." Resouces & Links (In order of their mentioning) •https://www.michigan.gov/mwc •https://www.michigan.gov/mileap/early-childhood-education/mi-tri-share-child-care •https://grandrapids.org/news/tri-share/ •https://www.michigan.gov/mileap/-/media/Project/Websites/mwc/Tri-Share/MI-Tri-Share-Pilot-Evaluation-Report-FINAL.pdf?rev=b22e11e8ff544f4ba7666644447647fd •https://www.hscpoly.com/ •https://www.michigan.gov/mileap/early-childhood-education/cclb/caring-for-mi-future •https://www.michigan.gov/mileap/inside-mileap •https://trishare.org/ •https://www.michigan.gov/reconnect Special Guest: Cheryl Bergman.

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, encourages female practitioners, and addresses how to support rural communities. Key Takeaways Regionalism * Teamwork makes the dream work; a regional strategy, enhancing the value of strength through numbers and having a common message, can advance economic competitiveness and collective assets. If you have naysayers who oppose regionalism, provide tangible data to validate the return on investment, the benefits of working regionally, and the strategy behind lead generation, as opposed to working independently. When it comes to regional initiatives, ensure your individual community's identity will not be suppressed or restricted. If you are a regional EDP, assess the accessibility and balance of resources provided to your small communities; their needs will differ from those of larger metros. Being a Women in Economic Development * Find a strong mentor and allies. * Be active in ED associations, especially committee work. * Build, build, build. Rural Economic Development * Invest in your community. Don't wait. * Learn what other communities are doing and tailor it to address your challenges and enhance your competitive advantages. Quotables "...the value of addressing challenges together that we could do so much more together than any of us could have done alone." "if we wanted to really make some big things happen, some transformational things, then we had to do it together." "...a win for a community 30 miles away or 60 miles away is a win for your community too." "I carry a soft stick and I'm all about being positive and enthusiastic. And I think that has carried me well through my career. My mom taught me that." "...don't worry about what barriers you may have because you're a young female in a male oriented industry, build your body of work where it cannot be disputed, where it will hold up, regardless of whose it is, build your, Success, build your resume, your training, build your skill set and your network." "Nobody's going to invest in your community if you don't invest in yourself. And that's not just about money. It's about work and, and just building your community to be the best that it can be." Resouces & Links •https://www.accelerationbydesign.com/ •https://www.standupruralamerica.com/ Special Guest: Lorie Vincent, CEcD.

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 intelligence gaps to strengthen your economic development strategy. Join Beka and Kaycee as they dive into business intelligence data platforms and how to discover and explore data that can drive informed decision-making within your organization and business community. Beka shares her insight into CEDIK's technology-based resources for Kentucky practitioners and leaders and how they impact business development strategies. Key Takeaways Utilize the resources (yes, even the free resources), people, and organizations in your network to embrace technology to make better informed decisions as a practitioner. Dig deep with your business community to determine what the gaps are in technology accessibility and what resources, products, and data are available to protect and enhance their business intelligence. Collaborate with your community's communication coordinators; narrow down the output for more effective communication with your business community. Quotables "...making technology work for you instead of having you work with technology." "...it's finding the volunteer within the community It's able to dedicate time and managing some of these relationships with the businesses." "We want to remove those barriers for access for great technology." "...is it really helpful if all I need is a Phillips head screwdriver, and you just keep giving me a hammer? No. I mean, will I get the job done? A hundred percent yes." "... businesses expand and stay because they feel cared for." "Communities that embrace technology are a lot more resilient in the face of challenges." "It's important that we're challenged by others across different backgrounds, with different ethnicities, with different professional and personal experiences." Resouces & Links •https://cedik.ca.uky.edu/ •https://www.ruralplacemaking.com/ •https://cedik.ca.uky.edu/bludot •https://sizeupkentucky.com/ •https://www.harlancountyeda.com/harlan-county-business-park Special Guest: Beka Burton, CEcD.

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 how to lead in disaster. Join Mayor O'Nan and Kaycee as they dive into what were the first critical steps in the recovery process, what was it like working with local, regional, state, and federal partners in the critical recovery phase, and what the business/workforce recovery process has been like for the past two years. Mayor O'Nan generously shares her journey in navigating the throws of disaster recovery and recalls tatics and stratgies that Mayfield in both the critical and recovery phases. Key Takeaways Be flexible and creative with the response and recovery strategies. Utilize community development stratgies, such as the "stick note meeting" method. Celebrate or find happiness in the midst of disaster. "Utilize everybody you have and take advantage of everything that's brought to you". Quotables "Our foot prints stopped for a short period of time". "Many of us got so tired of hearing, the disaster beging locally and end locally. Well, okay, but tell me how to get through this. But, I get it now. This is our disaster. We decide how we're going to get through it with a lot of help at first." "You just got to get rid of that shock from the first and then make a plan and then try to move forward as best as you can. And that's what we're doing." "People ask me, "how do you do this?" The fact is, I have no idea. You just keep going." Resouces & Links About the December 2021 Tornadoes * • https://www.weather.gov/pah/December-10th-11th-2021-Tornado Mayfield, Kentucky * • http://www.mayfieldky.gov/index.php • http://www.gravescountyed.com/ • https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/12/15/us/mayfield-kentucky-tornado-damage.html • Trace Adkins - Somewhere In America (Official Music Video) https://youtu.be/sHMlmNTE9SE Economic Resiliency & Disaster Recovery • https://restoreyoureconomy.org/pages/phases-of-disaster/ • https://www.iedconline.org/pages/disaster-recovery/ • https://www.eda.gov/resources/comprehensive-economic-development-strategy/content/economic-resilience • https://www.nado.org/resilient-regions-integrating-economic-development-strategies-sustainability-principles-and-hazard-mitigation-planning/ • https://www.cedscentral.com/resilience.html • https://www.disasterassistance.gov/information/fact-sheets • https://resilience.climate.gov/ Special Guest: Mayor Kathy O'Nan.

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!