Madison Region Economic Development & Diversity Summit Announces First Speaker
The Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) and the Urban League of Greater Madison (ULGM) are pleased to announce Sarah Treuhaft, managing director at PolicyLink will speak at the 6th Annual Summit on Friday, May 17 at Monona Terrace.
As managing director at PolicyLink, Treuhaft is charged with overseeing the organization’s equitable economy work to advance policy solutions for racial and economic equity, provide local leaders with relevant and actionable data, and build a new narrative about the economic imperative of equity. She also leads the National Equity Atlas research partnership with the USC Program for Environmental and Regional Equity (PERE). Sarah has authored numerous reports on issues of racial economic inclusion and equitable development and has written for publications including The New York Times, Shelterforce, and Yes! Magazine. She holds master’s degrees in city planning and international and area studies from the University of California, Berkeley and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo, West Africa. She currently serves on the board of the Community Indicators Consortium and the Technical Expert Group for San Francisco’s Housing Affordability Strategy.
The 2019 Summit will build on our previous joint events in a collective commitment to advancing talent, opportunity and growth for all the region’s citizens. A topic of continued relevance and importance, the convergence of diversity and economic development is a critical component of efforts to mold this region into a model for economic inclusion. We know that diversity spurs economic growth, while homogeneity slows it down. As workforce demographics continue to shift, we recognize that the businesses and communities that embody, embrace, and encourage diversity in all its forms will experience the most gains. It is incumbent upon all of us living and working in the Madison Region to understand the integral relationship between economic growth and diversity, and to act upon the opportunities before us.
The day-long Summit will engage, educate, and empower attendees around issues related to economic, workforce, and community development. Held at the Monona Terrace, the event will feature keynote speakers, break-out sessions, and ample networking opportunities. Participants will represent the entire eight-county Madison Region, with an anticipated audience of 600 business executives, community leaders, economic development professionals, educators, elected officials, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders.
