Nathan Ohle is leading global economic development conversations. As President & CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the world’s largest association of economic developers, he is steering the organization into its historic 100th year with vision, collaboration, and bold ideas.

From his early days as a Community Relations Intern with the Detroit Pistons to Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, Nathan’s career has been defined by building bridges, driving recovery, and putting people first. Now at IEDC, he’s championing the next generation of leaders, expanding the Economic Recovery Corps (EDC), and leading the charge from competition to true collaboration.

In this milestone Hyper Local episode, we dive into:

• IEDC’s 100th anniversary and what it means for the global Economic Development community.
• The State of the Field survey and how success is measured.
• Moving from competition to collaboration — Nathan met with 525 organizations in 2025 alone!
• Showing up at other tables, giving back, and connecting across sectors.
• Advice for the next generation of economic developers.
• The emerging leaders' affinity group.
• And much more!

Nathan’s message is clear: relationships, curiosity, and showing up matter more than ever. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about economic development, global partnerships, and shaping the future of communities.

Thank you to EDCO Executive Director for this episode's mystery question: “What is something you are proud of that you never talk about?”

Now some work for YOU! What is something you learned today that could help others tomorrow? Put it in the comments and let's learn together.

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