What happens when you shift from serving one community to supporting dozens?
In this episode, Heather Gramm, CEcD, reflects on her transition from the public to the private sector. She shares the learning curves, the surprises, and how she’s applying both the art and the science of economic development in fresh, meaningful ways.
Key Takeaways:
- How Heather’s sons helped her see workforce development through a new lens
- The biggest surprises Heather encountered after leaving the public sector
- How ongoing learning and mentorship—from organizations like MEDA—shaped Heather’s career evolution
- Why staying connected across local, state, and national networks makes your work more impactful
About the Guest:
Heather Gramm is a certified economic developer and the VP of Strategy at PPR Strategies. With over 20 years of expertise across municipal, county, and state economic development, she brings a deep understanding of what it takes to transform communities through strategic economic development to the PPR Strategies team. Learn more about her on our website (pprstrategies.com/about-us/heather-gramm).
The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.
Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.
Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.