A Conversation on Economic Development with Nathan Ohle

Join the Taubman Center for State and Local Government for an engaging Q&A with Nathan Ohle, President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the world’s largest membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 members globally, IEDC supports professionals advancing equitable and sustainable growth in communities of all sizes.

Nathan is an internationally recognized expert in economic development and a leader across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. His career spans decades of experience at the local, state, and federal levels, including service as Senior Advisor at the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), where he oversaw policy, external affairs, and key initiatives with the White House Rural Council and the Community Solutions team.

Before joining IEDC, Nathan served as Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), a national network of nonprofit partners supporting rural and tribal communities. Under his leadership, RCAP’s budget and team nearly tripled, expanding efforts in economic development, clean water access, and disaster recovery—serving more than 3.4 million residents nationwide.

This session offers a unique opportunity to explore how economic development strategies can create stronger, more resilient communities - and how leaders across sectors can collaborate to drive lasting impact.