Don’t miss this milestone conversation between global leaders in economic development! 

With the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026 and Economic Development Australia (EDA) approaching its 20th anniversary in 2027, this fireside chat provides a timely opportunity to reflect on how far the profession has come and, importantly, where it is heading next. 

Facilitated by Simon Massey, Jacqueline Brinkman (CEO, EDA), Nathan Ohle (President and CEO, IEDC), Greg Bowden (Chair, EDA) and Danielle Casey CEcD, EDFP (Chair, IEDC) will look back at the moments and decisions that have shaped their organisations and the economic development profession more broadly. They’ll explore what has changed, what has endured and how economic development must continue to evolve.

The conversation will also offer insider insights into leading peak bodies in a fast-moving political and economic landscape, strengthening the profession’s voice and preparing economic developers for the challenges and opportunities ahead. 
 
Bringing together perspectives from Australia and the US, this special event celebrates two peak bodies working across two hemispheres as one profession, connected by a shared commitment to building stronger, more resilient and more prosperous communities. 
 
The facilitated conversation will conclude with a live audience Q&A. 

Register

About EDA 
Economic Development Australia (EDA) is the national peak body for economic development professionals. EDA builds capacity, promotes excellence and provides leadership on the issues that matter most to its members. With a vibrant network of around 2,500 members, EDA plays a pivotal role in connecting and empowering economic development leaders across Australia. 

About IEDC 
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the world’s largest non-profit, non-partisan membership organisation for economic developers. For 100 years, IEDC has supported economic development professionals in driving economic wellbeing in communities around the globe. 

Note - This is a free webinar for all! 

Facilitator: 

Simon Massey | Treasurer, EDA 
Simon Massey has extensive experience in both local and state government leading economic development and social infrastructure planning teams. Simon and his family relocated to Canada in late 2024 where he is working for the Shorefast Institute. Prior to the move, Simon was the Executive Manager of City Futures at Georges River Council where he led a diverse portfolio including economic development, advocacy, city marketing, communications and community engagement. 
 
Simon holds a First Class Honours degree in Economics, a Master in Public Administration and is a Graduate of the Company Directors Course with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Simon also completed a Churchill Fellowship in 2022 where he travelled to North America and Europe. His Churchill Fellowship investigated the data, processes and systems that help cities make smart social infrastructure planning decisions. 

Speakers: 

Jacqueline Brinkman | CEO, Economic Development Australia 
Jacqueline’s leadership of EDA commenced in 2017 and since that time, EDA’s membership has more than tripled and revenue has increased exponentially. Jacqueline was responsible for the development and launch of the highly successful National Economic Development Education and Training Program in 2020. This program has proven to be a step change in career development for the Australian Economic Development profession. Jacqueline is also leading a range of research and advocacy projects with the aim to raise awareness of the impact of the Australian economic development sector. 
 
Through a career spanning 20+ years, Jacqueline is recognised as one of Australia’s most experienced industry cluster managers, and has facilitated industry development and investment across a range of sectors. Her advocacy and lobbying has resulted in legislative change at a Local, State and Federal Government level. 
 
Jacqueline has held Chief Executive roles across a range of sectors in QLD and NSW, is an award-winning copy writer and an experienced company director having Board positions on a range of Government bodies and NFP organisations. Jacqueline is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). 

Nathan Ohle | President and CEO, International Economic Development Council 
Nathan Ohle is an internationally recognized expert in economic development and a leader of public, private and nonprofit organizations. He currently serves as the President & CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers, with more than 4,500 members globally. In 2017, he was selected as one of 40 Under 40 Rising Stars in economic development internationally. 

Nathan’s economic development experience and leadership span decades at the local, state, and federal levels. He served as the Senior Advisor at the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), overseeing policy and external affairs. He also was the lead for the U.S. Department of Commerce on the White House Rural Council and the Administration-wide Community Solutions team, leading initiatives across the Department of Commerce, as well as serving as the Deputy Director of the Detroit Federal Working group.   

He developed new partnerships for EDA and created the first-ever Office of Philanthropic Engagement at the Commerce Department, helping align the interests of the philanthropic sector with the federal government. Read Nathan's full bio here. 

Danielle Casey CEcD, EDFP | Chair, International Economic Development Council 
Ms. Casey brings extensive and diverse experience in leadership, public administration, marketing, business development and retention, and strategic planning as the leader of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance. Previously, Ms. Casey served as the President and CEO of AREA, a nonprofit organization working to create a prosperous and diverse economy for the four-county Albuquerque metro region.  

She joined the organization in October of 2020. Since her arrival, she has transitioned the organization with the delivery of a new Strategic Plan, achieved the status of Accredited Economic Development Organization, engaged formally with regional community partners, renamed and restructured its bylaws and nonprofit status to a 501c3 public charity, and received numerous recognition awards - specifically in 2024 the Bronze Award for Economic Development Organization of the Year from the International Economic Development Council.  Read Danielle's full bio here.     

Greg Bowden | Chair, Economic Development Australia 
Greg Bowden is a Queensland based economic development executive and brings a diverse range of experience in Economic Development, Local Government, Stakeholder Engagement, Resources and Energy Infrastructure, Agriculture, Mediation and Negotiation. 
 
He has spent the past 20 years working in public and private sector engagement focused upon the economic development of cities and regions. Greg has a particular focus on the progression of the economic development profession, building regional economic growth and increasing the social and economic contribution for communities across Australia.  This follows a career in procurement, supply chain, logistics and negotiation in resources and infrastructure development. 
 
Greg has held roles that have seen him lead highly dedicated teams of economic development professionals focused upon industry development, investment attraction, major event attraction, tourism, destination marketing and communications in metropolitan and regional Queensland. Greg also has a keen interest in regional development, sustainable global supply chains, the circular economy and future energy projects and he is lucky enough to spend his working life using his skills to bolster and grow economic contribution through strong collaboration.