Marian Marquez: Sr. VP of Economic Dev at Alexandria Economic Development Partnership

Marian Marquez: Sr. VP of Economic Development, Alexandria Economic Development PartnershipIn this episode, Marian shares how Alexandria, VA is strategically driving growth and supporting its business ecosystem.We dive into:• Key industries shaping Alexandria’s future — Cybersecurity, AI, and more• How to define and track KPIs — from selection to stakeholder buy-in• The process behind choosing high-impact projects• Spotlight on major initiatives like the Virginia Tech Institute for Advanced Computing• Community-driven development — balancing resident input with strategic priorities• The role of the “Thinkers & Residents Board” and how it strengthens decision-making• Supporting early-stage entrepreneurs and fostering innovation• How to decide which projects are worth rallying behindThis conversation is packed with actionable insights for Economic Development leaders, city officials, and entrepreneurs looking to drive meaningful impact.