Della Rucker has been working on practical systems to build healthy local economies in the emerging era for more than 20 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 platform, Della is the co-founder of Econogy, a groundbreaking company that accelerates innovation in businesses, organizations and communities. Econogy leverages unexpected sources of new solutions– including university students, young professionals and community residents — to uncover workable solutions to tough problems that conventional approaches aren’t solving. Econogy uses a detailed team recruitment/training and project management system to help this Talent deliver on their potential. By blending high-quality management with untapped potential, Econogy makes geniunely new solutions available to everyone. She also serves as an advisor to Trep.House, a virtual superhub for Black and underrepresented business founders, and as a content development partner to the American Independent Business Alliance.
Prior to Wise Economy, Della served as Managing Editor of Engaging Cities (an online magazine and digest focused on civic technology), and as National Lead for Economic Development for Jacobs Engineering Group. Della also operated a historic preservation consulting firm and listed several buildings and sites on the National Register of Historic Places.
Della is the author of several books, including The Local Economy Revolution Has Arrived: What’s Changed and How You Can Help, Everybody Innovates Here, and Crowdsourcing Wisdom, as well as over a hundred shorter pieces.
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 public engagement to emerging economic trends.
Della lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, David. Their sons, James and Jonathan, are pursuing college studies in industrial design and biologic systems engineering.
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