Topic: The Power of Procurement in Driving Economic Development Through Local Purchasing
Speaker: Kimber Lanning
Kimber is an entrepreneur, business leader and community development specialist who works to cultivate strong self-reliant communities that enable a higher quality of life for people across Arizona. She is the founder and CEO of Local First Arizona, an organization focused on creating a thriving Arizona economy with opportunity for all. LFA is a widely respected organization that is implementing systems, programs and policies to ensure a level playing field and increased access to capital for entrepreneurial endeavors and communities of all sizes.
Local First provides a comprehensive approach to economic development that includes entrepreneurship, community development, and capacity building, each of which plays a part in building sustainable and resilient local economies in healthy communities. She has received numerous awards for her diverse work and extensive leadership. Her work in promoting adaptive reuse in Phoenix’s urban core was recognized by the American Planning Association, who presented Lanning with the Distinguished Citizen Planner Award in 2013. She has also been named one of the “50 Most Influential Women in Arizona” (Arizona Business Magazine), and was named Citizen Leader of the Year from the International Economic Development Council.
In response to the COVID pandemic, Lanning led the team at Local First to distribute $52M in small business relief aid, and to secure $104M in new capital for Arizona’s small cities, towns, Tribes and nonprofits through federal, state and foundation grants.
Topic: Unlocking Strategies for Success: A Guide to Arizona's State Procurement Office
Speaker: David Stueber
David serves as the State Procurement Administrator and Assistant Director of the State Procurement Office for the Arizona Department of Administration. David is the State's central procurement authority and is responsible for the authorization, oversight, and management of the contracting and purchasing activities of the State. Prior to joining ADOA, David served as the Chief Procurement Officer of the Arizona Department of Economic Security, the State's largest agency. Prior to that he served in multiple roles leading and performing business, financial and operations functions of various Arizona Department of Economic Security divisions.
Continental Breakfast
Lunch with Meat and Vegetarian Options