Jeanine Jerkovic, CEcD, is an award-winning economic development leader with over 20 years of experience driving transformative growth in the Greater Phoenix area. Since 2014, she has served as Economic Development Director for the City of Surprise, where she spearheaded initiatives like launching the West Valley’s first business incubator, the AZ TechCelerator, and expanding it with the new Spark Surprise hub. Her efforts have attracted marquee investments, including Costco, which kicked off the development of millions of square feet of retail development in an area of Surprise called the Village at Prasada, now the #1 performing retail power center in Arizona. A Certified Economic Developer with degrees from Arizona State University and the London School of Economics, Jeanine blends strategic vision with community passion, serving on national and regional boards and contributing locally through civic leadership and historic preservation.