Economic Development 2024: NANCY GRDEN

A longtime economic development and maritime leader in Hampton Roads, Grden was key in overseeing the 2023 merger of Reinvent Hampton Roads and the Hampton Roads Business Roundtable, resulting in the creation of the Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable, which she now leads.

Previously, she was director of the Hampton Roads Maritime Collaborative for Growth & Innovation and associate president of Old Dominion University’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, as well as general manager for Genomind, a health care company that uses genetic information to inform mental health treatments. Grden also spent 14 years with consultancy Avenir.

HRER is a support organization for GO Virginia Region 5, the regional arm of the statewide economic development initiative. Grden and the roundtable have been active in discussions about how to address growing energy demands created by data centers. She is preparing for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, which will put a spotlight on Hampton Roads, particularly Williamsburg.

FAVORITE TEAM: Pittsburgh Steelers (hometown “inoculates” you with black and gold)

WHAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT ME: Growing up, I wanted to be the first woman astronaut.