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In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development podcast, Kaycee welcomes Michelle Rogers of Prince George County, Virginia, to discuss how she moved from marketing, advertising sales, and industrial equipment into an assistant role at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and built a career by asking questions, reading everything she could, and seeking chances to be “in the room.” Michelle explains that economic development has a steep learning curve, encourages newcomers to be curious, and describes how saying yes to helping on projects led to opportunities, including stepping into data center work as the industry grew. She connects curiosity to her leadership style, emphasizing meeting people where they are and teaching. Michelle also reflects on navigating career growth as a single mother, balancing travel and parenting, and redefining success and legacy for her sons. In this episode, we explore: How Michelle went from marketing, advertising sales, and industrial equipment to a career in economic development. Why asking questions, reading everything you can, and volunteering for projects can open doors you never expected. How Michelle navigated economic development’s steep learning curve and stepped into the growing data center industry. Why meeting people where they are and helping them learn has shaped her leadership style. Michelle’s honest reflections on building a career as a single mother, balancing travel and parenting, and creating a legacy for her sons. Quotable: “ …you see the whole industry changing because of these different perspectives and people thinking about things differently.” Resources and Links Connect with Michelle Rogers on LinkedIn Prince George County, VA Special Guest: Michelle Rogers.

Marketing with a Wink: How Surprise, Arizona Attracts Retailers │Jeanine Jerkovic, CEcD In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development podcast, Kaycee Bunch welcomes Jeanine Jerkovic, CEcD, Economic Development Director for Surprise, Arizona. Jeanine discusses her career journey into economic development, including her international experiences and her recent last-minute trip to Taiwan tied to the semiconductor supply chain. She shares how humor, creativity, and community connection have shaped Surprise’s award-winning marketing campaigns and helped attract retailers and restaurants like Whole Foods and Cheesecake Factory. Jeanine also explores how resident feedback and retail surveys informed the city’s strategy, as well as Surprise’s next chapter focused on placemaking, mixed-use development, and job growth. She reflects on navigating the challenges surrounding a proposed DHS detention facility and the lessons she’s learned about leadership and public service. In this episode, we explore: Creative city marketing strategies and how humor can help attract retailers and build community pride. The power of listening to residents through social media and retail surveys to shape economic development efforts. Lessons in leadership, placemaking, and navigating complex public-sector projects Quotable: “  So maybe this is encouraging for any economic developer going through a tough moment; there's a Maya Angelou quote that every storm runs out of rain, and it's so true, your passion for your community just has to keep going.” Resources and Links Connect with Jeanine Jerkovic on LinkedIn Mission: Cheesecake Video City Declares KALE EMERGENCY Video Surprise Arizona Economic Development YouTube Special Guest: Jeanine Jerkovic, CEcD.

Tracye McDaniel, strategic advisor at TIP Inc. and IEDC’s Chief Growth and Strategy Advisor, joins host Kaycee on the Leading Ladies of Economic Development podcast to discuss what drew her to economic development, shaped by community leadership in Waco and 17 years in the Texas governor’s office working with five governors. McDaniel shares how global exposure informs local strategy, advising rural communities to start with regional collaboration, and highlights the Rio Grande Valley’s transformation through anchor investments like SpaceX and the Port of Brownsville. She explains leadership as clarity, curiosity, and engagement, and distinguishes influence as trust-based relationships beyond titles, emphasizing proactive inclusion of missing voices. The conversation covers long-term “legacy” planning, community concerns around data centers, and her contribution to The Cost of Cool on who benefits from growth, with workforce development framed as an underutilized asset and “secret weapon” for inclusive economic impact. In this episode, we explore: how global perspective, regional collaboration, and anchor investments can transform communities and create long-term economic opportunity. Tracye’s approach to leadership, building trust, engaging missing voices, and creating alignment beyond titles or traditional power structures. “The Cost of Cool” to workforce development, Tracye discusses how communities can ensure growth is inclusive, equitable, and benefits the people who call them home. Quotable: “ When you're in this trajectory of growth, we don't ask the question of who is this growth for and who is it going to displace?” Resources and Links Connect with Tracye McDaniel on LinkedIn Bridge Bedford (TN) - Shelbyville 2075: Legacy in Motion—An Investment Blueprint • TIP Strategies The Cost of Cool: Austin's Tech Growth and the People Left Behind (Kenneth E. Montague Series in Oil and Business History): Roberts, Jon, McDaniel, Tracye, Echeverri-Carroll, Elsie L., Johnston, Evan, Todd-Goynes, Jennifer: 9781648433832: Amazon.com: Books Special Guest: Tracye McDaniel.

In this episode of Leading Ladies of Economic Development, Kaycee sits down with Dr. Tina Yerkes, an executive strategist, leadership mentor, speaker, and founder of Transformative Leadership Consulting. Tina left leadership to start a consultancy and write a book focused on helping women navigate workplace bias in male-dominated environments. Drawing on 30 years of experience—being talked over, dismissed, and denied proper titles despite her authority and education—she says she realized the problem is systemic, though change will take time. While waiting for organizations to catch up, she emphasizes mentors and individualized strategies that allow women to succeed without shrinking themselves or pretending to be someone else. In this episode, we explore: Why she argues the root problem is systemic and women still need practical, individualized strategies to succeed while organizations catch up—without shrinking themselves or becoming someone they’re not. How self-awareness and authentic leadership reduce stress and build confidence, based on her experience that changing herself didn’t change how she was treated. Tools and methods to reconnect with authenticity, including using the DISC 4D assessment to understand natural leadership style, stress responses, and develop strategies that prevent burnout. Quotable: “ I had seen the same thing happen everywhere to women and to myself, and I just had had enough." Resources and Links Connect with Tina Yerkes on LinkedIn https://www.amazon.com/Change-System-Not-Women-Leadership/dp/1639082069 I Was Told to Shrink. I Chose to Fight Instead. Special Guest: Dr. Tina Yerkes.

In this episode of Leading Ladies of Economic Development, Kaycee interviews Kayla Meisner, MEng, CLP, executive director of Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV), a statewide technology transfer and commercialization initiative housed within the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC). Meisner shares how an undergraduate internship at the University of Louisville’s tech transfer office shaped her career and explains how KCV was launched in 2020 as a public-private partnership to support technology transfer and research capacity at Kentucky’s non-R1 institutions and KCTCS. She discusses KCV’s role in advancing multi-institutional tech transfer models, including collaboration with Tennessee that helped inspire TTAC, and highlights successes such as startup formation (Bumped Up Labs and Eastern Scientific), SBIR/STTR wins, and an NSF EXLENT-funded KCV–NKU Invent program that provides virtual commercialization training and paid internships. Lastly, Meisner urges economic developers to build IP literacy, leverage regional assets, and collaborate rather than compete. In this episode, we explore: How Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV) is expanding technology transfer and commercialization opportunities across Kentucky’s regional universities and KCTCS through a statewide, collaborative model. How tech transfer turns university research into real-world impact, why intellectual property (IP) matters for economic development, and the often-overlooked work behind bringing innovations to market. Success stories from Kentucky, including startup launches, SBIR/STTR funding wins, and the NSF-funded Invent Fellowship, which provides commercialization training and paid internships for students. How partnerships across institutions—and even across state lines—are helping democratize access to innovation resources and strengthen Kentucky’s talent pipeline. Practical advice for economic developers on building intellectual property literacy, leveraging regional strengths, and collaborating to accelerate innovation-driven growth. Quotable: “ Kentucky ideas will solve Kentucky problems, and Kentucky's problems are the world's problems.” Resources and Links Connect with Kayla Meisner on LinkedIn Home | Kentucky Commercialization Ventures Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation | KSTC NSBE | National Society of Black Engineers AUTM | The Nonprofit Leader in Technology Transfer About NSF Engines - Regional Innovation Engines | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation GAME CHANGE – Advancing carbon centric circular economy technologies for advanced manufacturing solutions (KY, TN) Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC) - LaunchTN Home - LaunchTN Keyhorse Capital FLC | Home Launch Tennessee leads new national study to unlock heartland innovation, backed by Kauffman Foundation grant - LaunchTN NCInnovation | Putting Innovation to Work for All of North Carolina Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation EPSCoR Jurisdiction Websites - Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation BumptUp – For a healthy pregnancy & postpartum journey. Innovator Spotlight: Dr. Jason Marion on Using Intellectual Property to Advance Water Quality Innovation Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region Innovation Fellowship | Kentucky Commercialization Ventures KCV Launches Startup Internship Program in Partnership with NKU Welcome | Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance (KYIPA) United States Patent and Trademark Office Special Guest: Kayla Meisner, MEng, CLP.

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 development and explain how their experiences navigating disconnected small-business resources led them to create HUUB, a digital platform launched during the pandemic to connect entrepreneurs with the right support. They discuss early challenges like relying on scattered online information and the importance of “one right person” in changing a business trajectory, shaping HUUB’s focus on vetted experts and tactical help. HUUB partners primarily with municipalities, often alongside chambers, nonprofits, and other ecosystem organizations, and offers one-on-one advising, an on-demand learning library, community board, aggregated funding and events, and ecosystem mapping—automating tasks that economic developers often do manually and providing continuity when staff turnover occurs. They emphasize equitable outreach through translation, UX design, demographic tracking, and representation among advisors, and note lessons from product development and from resisting traditional startup pressures, while urging greater technology investment and more thoughtful AI use. In this episode, we explore: How Jenny and Chelsea’s entrepreneurial journeys and frustration with fragmented small-business resources inspired them to create HUUB, a platform that connects entrepreneurs with trusted support, funding, and expertise. How HUUB partners with municipalities and ecosystem organizations to centralize advising, learning, funding opportunities, events, and resource mapping—reducing manual work, improving continuity, and making it easier for small businesses to find the help they need. How intentional design, multilingual access, diverse advisors, and thoughtful use of technology and AI can expand access to resources and create stronger, more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems. Quotable: “ And that's the key thing that I kept seeing over and over as an entrepreneur. It just takes one person, one right person, to completely change your trajectory as a business owner.” Resources and Links Connect with Jenny Poon on LinkedIn Connect with Chelsea Smith on LinkedIn HUUB - Economic Development Tools for Small Business Support Tools | HUUB - Economic Development Tools for Small Business Support Special Guests: Chelsea Smith and Jenny Poon.

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 counsel to private practice, the evolution of economic development law, and the critical role legal strategy plays in helping communities attract investment and create opportunity. Anne-Tyler also offers thoughtful insights on leadership, mentorship, resilience, and what it means to be a woman leading in traditionally male-dominated spaces. From housing policy and workforce development to regional collaboration and community engagement, this conversation highlights the people, partnerships, and purpose behind economic development in Kentucky. In this episode, we explore: Why successful projects depend on collaboration among attorneys, government leaders, economic developers, utility providers, consultants, and community stakeholders working toward a shared vision. Bringing legal counsel into projects early can help identify risks, structure incentives, navigate approvals, and save both time and money throughout the development process. Anne-Tyler emphasizes the importance of listening before speaking, respecting institutional knowledge, and trusting intuition when leading teams and making decisions. Housing availability, workforce development, tax policy, and regional cooperation are increasingly important factors in creating thriving communities and sustaining long-term growth. Quotable: “ I hope that a few generations from now, someone can point to a company and say, ‘My granddaddy worked there,’ and know that I had a small part in making that possible.” Resources and Links Connect with Anne-Tyler Morgan on LinkedIn Lexington Lawyers, Louisville Kentucky Attorneys | McBrayer PLLC Anne-Tyler Morgan | Lexington, KY Healthcare and Campaign Finance Lawyer: McBrayer PLLC Special Guest: Anne-Tyler Morgan.

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 development programs to reimagining public spaces through the lens of safety and inclusion, Gretchen shares how Louisville is taking a practical approach to creating a more equitable city. She also discusses the hidden impact of caregiving responsibilities, the importance of supporting women's economic participation, and why meaningful change starts with addressing systems—not just individuals. Along the way, Gretchen offers powerful insights on leadership, wellbeing, and finding balance in a world that often asks women to carry more than their share. In this episode, we explore: Why women are frequently the first to feel the effects of challenges related to housing affordability, childcare access, healthcare, and workforce participation. Childcare, eldercare, and support for people with disabilities are essential systems that enable individuals to participate fully in the workforce and community life. Policies that promote safety, flexibility, parental leave, and leadership opportunities don't just benefit women—they create healthier workplaces and stronger communities for everyone. The concept of an "opposite world"—activities that allow us to disconnect from work and reconnect with ourselves. She shares why making time for personal restoration isn't a luxury but a necessity for long-term effectiveness and wellbeing. Quotable: “Women really are the barometer of whether an economy is working or whether a city is working. If women are struggling with housing, childcare, safety, and economic opportunity, those are community issues. They're just being felt most acutely by women." Resources and Links Connect with Gretchen Hunt on LinkedIn Office for Women | LouisvilleKY.gov City Hub and Network for Gender Equity WD2026 – Women Deliver Bogotá Care Blocks - Observatory of Public Sector Innovation Care Blocks: recognized by the OECD as a global example of social innovation | Bogota.gov.co Parks Alliance of Louisville LOUMED & Office for Women Night Walk Home | Equimundo What happens when a city takes women’s unpaid work seriously? | Vox Designing Safety, Building Belonging Special Guest: Gretchen Hunt.

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 field and ultimately back to the region, where they now help guide a merged organization that brings together economic development, tourism, Main Street, and chamber functions under one collaborative model. They reflect on the evolution of the organization since its formation in 2018, including the challenges of aligning four legacy entities, building trust with members, and establishing a unified vision during a period that included both organizational transition and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we explore: A deep dive into the merged organizational model combining economic development, tourism, Main Street, and chamber functions—and how trust and communication drive it. Strategies for talent attraction and retention, including “come home” campaigns, employer-driven workforce personas, and partnerships addressing childcare and housing. Downtown revitalization efforts like the Recast City cohort and Downtown Unlocked initiative focused on activating underused spaces and supporting small-scale manufacturing and housing. Quotable: “Change is built at the speed of trust.” Resources and Links Connect with Andrea Schultz Winter on LinkedIn Connect with Nicole Haas on LinkedIn Greater Freeport Partnership Website Come Home Campaign - Greater Freeport Partnership Freeport Selected to Participate in National Program for Downtown Revitalization and Economic Resilience - Greater Freeport Partnership Special Guests: Andrea Schultz Winter and Nicole Hass.

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. She challenges conventional ideas about “blight,” economic development, and community engagement, emphasizing that lasting change must be community-led, policy-driven, and rooted in lived experience. Through candid storytelling and practical examples, Kat explains how communities can reclaim vacant and abandoned properties without displacement—and why listening to community “whispers” is the key to sustainable revitalization. In this episode, we explore: Lived experience should shape leadership and solutions. Kat emphasizes that real, lasting change comes from leaders who understand the systems firsthand, not just in theory. Communities must be true partners, not afterthoughts. Effective revitalization starts with residents, not after decisions are made. Listening early leads to sustainable outcomes. Fixing systems matters more than fixing properties. The Center for Community Progress focuses on policy, education, and tools that address the root causes of vacancy and disinvestment. Revitalization can happen without displacement. When done right, community-led strategies can increase stability, homeownership, and quality of life—without fueling gentrification. Quotable: “You can censor words—but you can’t censor lived experience.” Link to register for the 2026 reclaiming vacant properties conference: 2026 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference | Center for Community Progress Resources and Links Connect with Kat J. Guillaume-Delemar on on LinkedIn Center for Community Progress Resources for Community Development Leaders & Professionals | Center for Community Progress National Land Bank Network | Center for Community Progress Creating Homeownership Opportunities in Newark through Housing Choice Vouchers | Center for Community Progress From Harm to Home | Center for Community Progress Chatham Savannah Land Bank Authority | Savannah, GA Benzie County, MI Detriot Land Bank Authority Detroit Landy Bank Authority Rehabbed & Ready Program County of Saginaw, MI - Land Bank Publications | Center for Community Progress Special Guest: Kathleen (Kat) J. Guillaume-Delemar.

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 how Roll Call partners with cities and regions to uncover authentic stories, develop strategic messaging, and build meaningful connections with potential residents. From the importance of listening and community engagement to the challenges of aligning stakeholders, this conversation dives deep into what it truly takes to build a successful talent-attraction strategy. Monica also highlights real-world examples—from Buffalo to small-town Illinois—showing how communities of any size can make a big impact. This episode offers practical insights and a fresh perspective on attracting and retaining talent in today’s competitive landscape. In this episode, we explore: How communities can attract the right talent by embracing their authentic stories and unique culture. The step-by-step process RoleCall uses to listen, engage, and create meaningful connections between residents, employers, and newcomers. Challenges and best practices for aligning stakeholders, building networks, and creating a sense of belonging in communities of all sizes. Real-world examples from Buffalo, Freeport, and beyond showing how small and large communities alike can make a big impact. The role of honesty, aspiration, and local quirks in effective talent attraction and community marketing. Quotable: “ The more you invite people into creating your community’s vision, the more you’ll build relationships that actually bring the right people home. Talent attraction isn’t just strategy—it’s human.” Resources and Links Connect with Monica Hershberger on LinkedIn Connect with RoleCall on LinkedIn RoleCall Talent Attraction Summit Registration Link Handel’s Ice Cream Ecosystems aren’t the answer — Civic Collaboration Consultants, LLC From Comeback City to Talent Magnet: What Buffalo Can Teach Us About Talent Attraction Opening Doors: Inside Freeport’s Downtown Unlocked Vision Tour (and how you can host your own!) Special Guest: Monica Hershberger.

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 and largest arts fund, which has granted over $350 million and recently awarded 165 grants to 150+ organizations. She defines creative placemaking as cross-sector, community-driven work that integrates arts, culture, and design to advance equitable economic, physical, and social change, and challenges the misconception that arts lack impact, citing a $1.6 BILLION regional arts impact and a $42 return per $1 ArtsWave investment. Rachael highlights some examples including Northern Kentucky placemaking grants, Newport’s historic mural ordinance and Orchard Street Project, and arts integration in Covington’s CCR redevelopment and Florence’s planned sculpture park (check out the resources and links below). In this episode, we explore: Rachel Parker’s journey—from fiber artist and educator to nonprofit leader—highlights how creative careers can evolve into community-shaping roles that bridge art, strategy, and regional development. How creative placemaking blends arts, culture, and community collaboration to spark equitable economic and social change, transforming projects like Newport murals, Covington redevelopment, and Florence’s future sculpture park. With nearly a century of impact, how ArtsWave has invested over $350M into the region—supporting 150+ organizations and demonstrating how the arts strengthen identity, community, and local development. *Quotable: * “ It is certainly not fluff. It is of vital importance to the success of our communities that we have a creative economy.” Resources and Links Connect with Rachael Parker on LinkedIn Engineering a creative renaissance in Northern Kentucky New grant program is fueling the arts and boosting economic development in Northern Kentucky ArtsWave, meetNKY award $58K for creative placemaking projects Local arts organization announces artist-in-residence program City of Covington Launches New Interactive Project Showcasing 100+ Public Art Installations New Covington mural depicts city’s history and future Window on the World Josephine Sculpture Park ArtsWave Boardway Bound Training Program Special Guest: Rachael Parker.

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 analysis, and systems mapping approach have supported rapid growth and diversification across industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, and pharmaceutical manufacturing—including the recent announcement of an Eli Lilly facility. She explains how Huntsville connects workforce development from early childhood through retiree engagement, why emotional intelligence and adaptability are increasingly critical alongside STEM skills, and how quality-of-life investments—like outdoor recreation, arts, downtown livability, dog parks, and food trucks—help attract and retain talent. Lucia also emphasizes community partnership, continuous improvement, measuring the broader impact of economic development wins, and leadership lessons focused on building a community that future generations want to return to. In this episode, we explore: The “Smart Place” strategy and how Huntsville uses data and third-party analysis to support growth and talent attraction. Why systems thinking and workforce mapping help prioritize long-term education and talent pipeline investments. How quality-of-life and cultural vibrancy have become essential tools for recruiting and retaining talent. Quotable: “   If everyone in the community approaches it as, ‘we're all in this together’, economic development is not an individual sport.”> Resources and Links Connect with Lucia Cape Home Page - ASmartPlace Welcome - Huntsville/Madison County Chamber ACCE | Home Special Guest: Lucia Cape.

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 economic development, effective resource allocation, and the challenges and solutions for developers and local government staff in fostering community growth. Key insights include the importance of understanding local regulations, the impact of organizational structure on economic development outcomes, and the need for collaboration among stakeholders. In this episode, we explore: The transition from public-sector leadership to private consulting. Amalia explains the key differences between working inside local government and advising from the outside, and how her background enables her to bridge gaps among policy, planning, and implementation. Practical guidance for developers and local stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of understanding municipal processes, zoning, and regulatory frameworks. Organizational structures (restructures) and their impact on effectiveness. Amalia explains when restructuring economic development departments makes sense, what local governments should consider during the process, and how structure can either enable or hinder results. Quotable: “ No matter what side of the table you're sitting on, if you're an economic developer, if you're the private sector trying to do a project, I always try to approach my work and my practice assuming the best intentions from everyone else involved.” Resources and Links Connect with Amalia Cunningham on LinkedIn Amalia Cunningham Consulting News and Views American Planning Association, "Where Should Economic Development Live?" Special Guest: Amalia Cunningham, AICP.

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 on maintaining a healthy work-life balance while leading a business. Janet also delves into the unique challenges and benefits of marketing a small town, and the importance of setting boundaries in public service roles. In this episode, we explore: Community marketing and branding insights, focusing on campaign strategies and the results they achieved. Why embracing flexibility in the workplace has become essential. Insights on leadership and public service. Quotable: “  You can't control what people think about you. All you can control is your reaction. There are people who will love you. There are people who do not. Their business, not yours.” Resources and Links Connect with Janet Carlson on LinkedIn One Eleven Group | It starts with a plan. Town of Cornwall, Connecticut Special Guest: Janet Carlson.