Economic Development 2024: JENNIFER WAKEFIELD

Before assuming her current role in 2021, Wakefield served as interim president and CEO twice for the Greater Richmond Partnership, a regional economic development organization for Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico. She has also been its chief operating officer and senior vice president of marketing.

The partnership works closely with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and local economic development officials to attract business investment in the region. Among its recent successes is Plenty Unlimited’s August 2023 groundbreaking on its $300 million vertical farm in Chesterfield County. Another success came in April, when Danish electrolyzer manufacturer Topsoe announced it would build a $400 million manufacturing facility in Chesterfield.

A graduate of the University of West Florida and the University of Central Florida, Wakefield previously served as Orlando Economic Development Commission’s (now Orlando Economic Partnership) marketing and communications vice president for 11 years.

She is an International Economic Development Council board member and serves on several regional boards, including the University of Richmond Robins School of Business’ Executive Advisory Council.

FAVORITE TEAM: USA women’s gymnastics

STREAMING SHOW I’VE ENJOYED: “Bridgerton” season 3. Yay for nonstereotyped females in the lead.