The Hoosier state will be represented on the board of one of the nation’s leading organizations working to engage colleges and universities, businesses, non-profits, government organizations and community economic development stakeholders to drive local and regional economic growth.
David Gard, assistant vice president for economic engagement at Indiana University, has been elected as a member-at-large of the board of directors of the University Economic Development Association. Established in 1976, UEDA includes more than 160 organizations among its members that represent leading edge of modern economic development thinking and practice.
“David’s years in higher education economic engagement at Indiana University, coupled with his leadership roles with other national economic development organizations. will be a remarkable asset as UEDA advances best practices across the field,” said UEDA Executive Director Tim Hindes. “We welcome David to our leadership.”
UEDA’s board includes representatives across all levels of higher education, including chancellors, presidents, directors, managers and professors.
In his role at IU, Gard is primarily responsible for implementing IU’s statewide economic development strategy through collaboration across the university’s seven campuses. He created, manages and presides over the IU Council for Regional Engagement and Economic Development, which extends and leverages the university’s resources and expertise to enhance economic engagement in areas of entrepreneurship and innovation, talent development and quality of place.
Working in the Office of the Vice President for Government Relations and Economic Engagement, Gard led the university’s comprehensive efforts that culminated in IU being designated as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. He previously served on the executive committee of the APLU’s national Commission on Economic and Community Engagement and completed a fellowship with the Academy for Innovative Higher Education Leadership through Georgetown University and Arizona State University.
Gard’s background combines experience in the public and private sectors. Previously, he served with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation as deputy director of small Business and entrepreneurship and of Indiana’s 21st Century Research and Technology Fund. He is also a former venture development manager with Duke Energy and a former corporate trust officer with Fifth Third Bank. He began his career as a U.S. Navy officer serving in support of Operation Desert Storm. Gard earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from IU’s Kelley School of Business.
“In today’s knowledge-based economy, it is more important than ever for higher education, the private sector, and government and community leaders to work together proactively to enhance regional prosperity and quality of life, and to do this by leading best practices in innovation, talent and placemaking,” Gard said. “I’m deeply appreciative of this opportunity to serve an organization at the forefront of advancing the economic impact our nation’s colleges and universities are having on the regions and ecosystems they serve, and I’m especially grateful to be representing Indiana University and the Hoosier state in this important and meaningful engagement.”
More about UEDA
Established in 1976, UEDA is North America’s membership organization that brings together public and private higher education; private sector; public agencies; and community economic development stakeholders in economic development. UEDA’s members work to expand economic opportunity and prosperity in our communities and regions by leveraging education/ talent development; research and technology development; and community-building and place-making strategies. UEDA’s mission is to serve its members by advancing knowledge and practice in economic engagement by institutions of higher education.