Economic Development 2025: WAKEFIELD, JENNIFER

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

Wakefield previously served as Orlando Economic Development Commission’s (now Orlando Economic Partnership) marketing and communications vice president for 11 years.

In March, the Greater Richmond Partnership celebrated the launch of its 5-year strategic plan. It’s built on four pillars: advancing business recruitment and cluster development; delivering research and market intelligence; elevating regional competitiveness; and shaping perception of the region.

“There just isn’t much of a perception outside of Richmond of Richmond,” Wakefield said recently on a podcast. Too many cities are named Richmond, she noted. Another problem is that Virginia doesn’t spend as much on marketing itself as other states. “So,” she said, “we have some work to do.”

A self-proclaimed “Star Wars” nerd, Wakefield is an International Economic Development Council board member and sits on several regional boards.

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