The Leading Ladies of Economic Development

The Leading Ladies of Economic Development – Mentorship Corner

The Leading Ladies of Economic Development – Mentorship Corner

Mentorship Directory

This directory features past guests from The Leading Ladies of Economic Development who have generously volunteered to offer informal mentorship, guidance, or perspective to members of our community.

Take your time to browse by specialty, read the mini-bios, and connect directly with mentors using the email button on each profile.

Please note: This is not a formal mentorship program—these connections are intended to be informal, flexible, and based on each mentor’s availability.

We hope this directory helps you build meaningful connections, gain insights, and feel supported in your professional journey.


Kaycee Bunch, MA, CEcD

View Bio →

Title: Community Economic Developer
Organization: The Leading Ladies of Economic Development Podcast
Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky

Economic Development Specialties:
* CEcD or other ED based credentials
* Community Development
* Disaster Prep/Recovery
* Strategic Planning

Women in Leadership Specialties:
* Team leadership and management skills

Other Areas of Expertise:
* Peace Corps
* Podcasting
* Childcare Solutions

Audience she feels especially passionate about supporting:
* Women in Faith
* Young Professionals
* Women in Rural Communitites
* Women in the US South

How she prefers to connect:
* Email
* Virtual call (Zoom/Teams/etc.)
* In-person (if local)

Time Commitment:
* One-time conversation (via email, phone call, or virtual)
* Flexible/As needed

Mary Cacioppi

View Mary's Episode & Bio →

Title: Founder/CEO
Organization: Bridges to Prosperity Northern IL
Location: Northern Illinois

Economic Development Specialties:
* Community Development
* Poverty Reduction as an Economic Development Strategy

Women in Leadership Specialties:
* Leading through change
* Managing burnout and work–life integration

Other Areas of Expertise:
*Creating a Community Wide Poverty Reduction Strategy

Audience she feels especially passionate about supporting:
* Women in Faith

How she prefers to connect:
* Email
* Virtual call (Zoom/Teams/etc.)
* Group sessions or roundtables
* In-person (if local)

Time Commitment:
* One-time conversation (via email, phone call, or virtual)
* Flexible/As needed

Brittany Cox

View Brittany's Episode & Bio →

Title: Director of Business Development & Retention
Organization: Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
Location: Frankfort, Kentucky

Economic Development Specialties:
* Business Rentention & Expansion
* Community Development
* Foreign Investment
* Marketing & Attraction
* Small-town / rural economic development
* Strategic planning

Women in Leadership Specialties:
* Building confidence and executive presence
* Conflict resolution and negotiation
* Effective communication and public speaking
* Navigating male-dominated industries
* Strategic networking and relationship building

Other Areas of Expertise:

Audience she feels especially passionate about supporting:

How she prefers to connect:
* Virtual call (Zoom/Teams/etc.)
* In-person (if local)

Time Commitment:
* One-time conversation (via email, phone call, or virtual)

Sandy Dubay, CEcD

View Sandy's Episode & Bio →

Title: Founder/CEO
Organization: PPR Strategies
Location: Anywhere in the US. Outside of US- I’m learning and would love to connect with people in the UK

Economic Development Specialties:
* Business Retention & Expansion
* CEcD or other ED based credentials
* Community Development
* Entrepreneurship support
* Marketing & Attraction
* Member Engagement/Chamber of Commerce
* Small Business Development
* Small-town / rural economic development
* Strategic planning
* Tourism development

Women in Leadership Specialties:
* Building confidence and executive presence
* Career advancement strategies
* Effective communication and public speaking
* Personal brand development
* Strategic networking and relationship building
* Women’s leadership pathways in economic development

Other Areas of Expertise:

Audience she feels especially passionate about supporting:

How she prefers to connect:
* Email
* Virtual call (Zoom/Teams/etc.)
* Phone call or text
* Group sessions or roundtables
* In-person (if local)

Time Commitment:
* One-time conversation (via email, phone call, or virtual)
* Occasional check-ins (1-2 hours per month)
* Flexible/As needed

Cecilia Harry, CEcD

View Cecilia's Episode & Bio →

Title: VP of Economic Development
Organization: SizeUp
Location: Colorado

Economic Development Specialties:
* Board Management
* Business Advocacy
* Business Retention & Expansion
* CEcD or other ED based credentials
* Entrepreneurship support
* Managing an EDC
* Marketing & Attraction
* Member Engagement/Chamber of Commerce
* Nonprofit leadership
* Public/private partnerships
* Research
* Small Business Development
* Small-town / rural economic development
* Strategic planning
* Workforce Development

Women in Leadership Specialties:
* Building confidence and executive presence
* Career advancement strategies
* Conflict resolution and negotiation
* Leadership development for emerging women leaders
* Managing burnout and work–life integration
* Navigating male-dominated industries
* Setting boundaries and managing expectations

Other Areas of Expertise:

Audience she feels especially passionate about supporting:

How she prefers to connect:
* Virtual call (Zoom/Teams/etc.)
* Group sessions or roundtables

Time Commitment:
* One-time conversation (via email, phone call, or virtual)
* Flexible/As needed

Shani Harvie, EDP

View Shani's Episode & Bio →

Title: Creative Indsutries Division Director
Organization: New Mexico Economic Development Dept
Location: New Mexico

Economic Development Specialties:
* Business Advocacy
* CEcD or other ED based credentials
* Community Development
* DEI in economic development
* Entrepreneurship support
* Grants & funding
* Small Business Development
* Strategic planning

Women in Leadership Specialties:
* Building confidence and executive presence
* Creating inclusive leadership environments
* Effective communication and public speaking
* Leading through change
* Leadership development for emerging women leaders
* Managing burnout and work–life integration
* Personal brand development
* Setting boundaries and managing expectations
* Strategic networking and relationship building
* Team leadership and management skills

Other Areas of Expertise:
* Creative industries
* Trauma informed leadership
* Servant based leadership
* Justice/equity/diversity/inclusion

Audience she feels especially passionate about supporting:
* Creatives
* Young professionals
* First-time leaders

How she prefers to connect:
* Email
* Virtual call (Zoom/Teams/etc.)
* Phone call or text
* In-person (if local)
* Group sessions or roundtables

Time Commitment:
* One-time conversation (via email, phone call, or virtual)
* Flexible/As needed

Kimberly Rossetti

View Kimberly's Episode & Bio →

Title: VP of Economic Development
Organization: BE NKY Growth Partnership
Location:

Economic Development Specialties:
* Board Management
* Business Retention & Expansion
* Foreign Investment
* Grants & funding
* Managing an EDC
* Marketing & Attraction
* Workforce Development

Women in Leadership Specialties:
* Building confidence and executive presence
* Conflict resolution and negotiation
* Effective communication and public speaking
* Navigating male-dominated industries
* Personal brand development

Other Areas of Expertise:

Audience she feels especially passionate about supporting:

How she prefers to connect:
* Email
* Virtual call (Zoom/Teams/etc.)
* In-person (if local)

Time Commitment:
* Flexible/As needed


Rebecca Undem

View Rebecca's Episode & Bio →

Title: Founder

Organization: Growing Small Towns

Location: Oakes, North Dakota

Economic Development Specialties:

  • Entrepreneurship support
  • Nonprofit leadership
  • Small-town / rural economic development
  • Strategic planning

Women in Leadership Specialties:

  • Creating inclusive leadership environments
  • Effective communication and public speaking
  • Leadership development for emerging women leaders
  • Setting boundaries and managing expectations
  • Team leadership and management skills

Other Areas of Expertise:

Audience she feels especially passionate about supporting:

  • Rural women

How she prefers to connect:

  • Email
  • Virtual call (Zoom/Teams/etc.)
  • Phone call or text
  • Group sessions or roundtables
  • In-person (if local)

Time Commitment:

  • One-time conversation (via email, phone call, or virtual)
  • Occasional check-ins (1-2 hours per month)
  • Flexible/As needed