Tracy Irby, director of the Center for Women Entrepreneurs at the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership, has earned designation as a Master Economic Development Practitioner (MEDP) through the Advanced Economic Development Leadership (AEDL) program.

AEDL assembles world-class faculty to present leading-edge strategies and techniques necessary to succeed in the evolving world of economic development. Participants gain knowledge through case studies and benchmarking best practices as well as engagement with fellow professionals.

“The program provided me with a comprehensive understanding of best practices, emerging trends and innovative approaches in economic development, empowering me to be a catalyst for positive change in my community,” Irby said.

The experiential two-week program was originally created by four universities including the University of New Mexico, the University of Southern Mississippi and Texas Christian University, and is designed specifically for mid- and senior-level economic developers who want to examine contemporary issues on a deeper level.