About Della
Della is a different kind of Thinker, and a different kind of Doer.
Part futurist and part grassroots organizer, fluent in economic theory and emerging technology and granular-scale community development, Della connects and builds across multiple spaces, from startups and small business to economic development policy and innovative urban design. And Della’s experience and network allows her to gain insight from across the globe - small town mayors, diverse innovators, international communities, technology wizards, and more.
Della integrates Signals like these, using the Fusion Era Ground Conditions, to help us all see where we are going and how we can best get there. Della connects the deep implications of social, cultural and technological evolution, and helps you find hands-on methods for leveraging your assets + new tools to create powerful and sustainable change - whether that change is in your community, your organization, or yourself.
Della is one of the only persons in the United States to carry the industry standard professional certifications in urban planning and in economic development. She is a four-time business founder, a prolific writer and the author of four books and a dozen short publications, and given keynote speeches and workshops across North America. She is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and a longtime resident of Cincinnati.
About Della
Della Rucker has been working on practical systems to build healthy local economies for nearly 30 years. Della has designed systems for accelerating economic revitalization, growing healthy small businesses, fostering intelligent land use and creating inclusive public engagement. Della is one of fewer than 10 persons in the US to hold the industry-standard professional certifications in both planning (AICP) and economic development (CEcD).
In addition to the Wise Economy Workshop, Della is the Executive Director of the Good Hood Foundation, which focuses on growing minority businesses and minority-led business communities. She is also co-founder of Econogy, a groundbreaking company that accelerates innovation in businesses, organizations and communities.
Prior to WEW, Della served as National Lead for Economic Development for Jacobs Engineering Group. At Jacobs and predecessor organizations, Della led comprehensive and other plan development for over 50 communities in multiple states; conducted extensive data analysis as well as large-scale public engagement initiatives; and led development of a groundbreaking fiscal impact analysis tool for three states.
Della is the author of several books, including The Local Economy Revolution Has Arrived, Everybody Innovates Here, Crowdsourcing Wisdom. and over a hundred shorter pieces across multiple platforms. She produces the weekly subscription newsletter Future Here Now, which highlights and explains what contemporary developments are showing us about how communities, organizations and professionals can best adapt to the unfolding Fusion Era.
An energetic speaker known for hands-on sessions that get attendees moving, laughing and thinking, Della has given more than 150 keynotes, workshops and trainings on topics ranging from emerging economic trends to inclusive public engagement.
Specialties include: Large Group Decision-Making, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Economic Development, Urban Planning, Community Development, Project Management, Civic Tech, Public Participation, Online Public Engagement, Allyship, and more.
Book Della for a Speaking Engagement
Want to talk to Della about getting help on a project? Learn about bringing her to speak or conduct a workshop? Or do you need coaching to get more Future Ready - your community, your organization, or you?
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