Washington, DC – Alejandra Y. Castillo, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and head of the Economic Development Administration, received the Federal Leadership in Economic Development Programs Award for her excellence in economic development from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). U.S. Assistant Secretary Castillo was honored at the Opening Plenary of the IEDC 2023 Annual Conference in Dallas, TX, September 17.  

"Assistant Secretary Castillo's unwavering support for economic development while at the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has been a catalyst for IEDC, our members, the profession, and the communities we serve worldwide. Assistant Secretary Castillo’s passion and dedication have paved the way for transformative change, innovation, and progress in underserved communities throughout the U.S.," expressed Nathan Ohle, President and CEO of IEDC. "The partnership between IEDC and EDA has strengthened our shared mission, vision, and commitment to create positive, equitable, resilient, and sustainable change. It is an immense honor and privilege to present Assistant Secretary Castillo with the Federal Leadership in Economic Development Programs Award for her work throughout her leadership at EDA and as we look forward to continuing to build our partnership." 

Every year IEDC looks specifically for an individual who has demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development. 

Alejandra Y. Castillo was sworn in as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development on August 13, 2021. She has served in leadership positions for three presidents - Biden, Obama, and Clinton. Her professional career spans two decades, focusing on creating equitable and inclusive opportunities for all Americans.  

Prior to EDA, Castillo was the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA USA, where she championed the 163-year-old organization delivering critical social, educational, and economic development services throughout its 204 associations. 

In 2014, Castillo was appointed by President Obama to serve as the national director of the Commerce Department's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), becoming the first Hispanic woman to lead the agency. During her tenure, she led MBDA's efforts to boost the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises (MBEs). Under her leadership, MBDA expanded its effort to help MBEs gain access to capital, contracts, and business opportunities, assisting MBEs in growing in size and scale.  

Castillo first joined the Department of Commerce in 2008 as a Special Advisor to the Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA). Additionally, Castillo served as a Senior Policy Analyst in the White House during the Clinton Administration.  

She holds a bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, a master's degree in public affairs from the LBJ School at the University of Texas at Austin, and earned a Juris Doctor degree from American University's Washington College of Law. 

About the International Economic Development Council 

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in the full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at iedconline.org.  

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