We see the field of economic development as the foundation for economic opportunity and shared prosperity. As community needs have evolved, the field of economic development has changed to keep pace. At the center of this change is a renewed focus on the people, not exclusively the businesses and industries, that make a community. While traditional economic development—marketing and promotion, business retention and attraction, incentives and tax policy, and site and land readiness—remains a critical area of focus, economic development practitioners are increasingly considering broader community needs, such as housing and childcare affordability, workforce development and talent attraction, entrepreneurship and small business support, and district placemaking.

We see workforce development as the most direct pathway to accessible, livable-wage jobs. Prosperity gaps are wider than have been seen in a century. Whether that is due to technological advancements, global labor force dynamics, an aging or retiring workforce, or systemic barriers for historically marginalized populations, investments in workforce development systems have never been more critical. To ensure that communities are economically strong and able to provide residents with livable-wage jobs and career advancement opportunities, employers, post-secondary education institutions, public workforce agencies, and non-profit service providers are collaborating and aligning to increase access to training and skill development opportunities.

We see education as the engine for community prosperity and well-being. Accessible, affordable, equitable, and responsive educational opportunities stretching across the entire continuum from early childhood to post-secondary education make the places we live better for everyone. Education has the power to be transformational for individuals and communities. It not only helps prepare individuals for their future, linking their passions and skills to community opportunities and needs, it also leads to more connections, civic engagement, innovation and ultimately, more resilient communities. To achieve equitable outcomes, our educational systems must themselves transform. We bring our deep personal investment and expertise in change, leadership, strategy, culture, and community partnerships to our work with our educational clients to support transformational, systems-level change.