Economic Development 2025: GRDEN, NANCY

A longtime regional economic development and maritime leader, Grden was key in the 2023 merger of Reinvent Hampton Roads and the Hampton Roads Business Roundtable. That resulted in the creation of the Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable, a support organization for GO Virginia Region 5, the regional arm of the statewide economic development initiative.

Before leading the roundtable, Grden was director of the Hampton Roads Maritime Collaborative for Growth & Innovation and of Old Dominion University’s Strome Entrepreneurial Center.

Most recently, Grden has been collaborating on a pilot regional talent marketing initiative with the Hampton Roads Chamber and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. She’s also spearheaded a regional initiative to advocate against proposed federal spending cuts in Hampton Roads.

Grden has a degree in economics from Bucknell University, a master of regional planning from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from the University of South Carolina.

FAVORITE TEAM: With hometown Pittsburgh, Steelers, of course! However, there are others since we need a “portfolio of teams” to avoid disappointment.

PERSONAL MOTTO: “Never burn a bridge” — I have benefited from many connections and colleagues along the way.

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