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Project management principles in action for economic development: 

Use of Strategic Business Management PMP principals in economic development success in Southwestern Illinois (SWIL) 

Discuss multiple strategic projects where project management principles have been used to complete large regional efforts. These principles have contributed to the economic development success in Southwestern Illinois (SWIL). 

Presenter: Ronda Sauget

In 2015, Ronda Sauget was appointed as the Executive Director of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois. In this role, she is responsible for identifying and mobilizing leaders in business, industry, labor, education and government, and building effective partnerships to address regional economic development issues, often playing a leadership role in advancing those initiatives that top the Leadership Council’s priority list. Prior to this role, Ronda Sauget brings to the Leadership Council over 20 years of experience working across industry sectors and consulting roles in strategic management, market research, and executive leadership. She was the President of her own firm, Validus Business Strategies LLC, started in 2006 and also served for over 10 years as the Executive Director of Archview Economic Development Corporation attracting millions of dollars in new investment and creating hundreds of regional jobs in Southwestern Illinois. Formerly, she was a SVP and Corporate Director of the Competitive Intelligence group at Fleishman-Hillard International Communications, LLC, wherein she developed and directed one of the agency’s top revenue generating groups. In this capacity, she conducted hundreds of industry and competitive positioning research, analysis, and strategies for many of the agency’s largest domestic and international clients. Early in her career, Dr. Sauget worked in Market Intelligence for the 8th District Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis wherein she conducted numerous monetary/public policy analysis, banking industry studies, and business development strategies. After completing her doctorate degree in 2012 in Strategic Management and Executive Leadership, she was recognized by the Midwest Academy of Management for her scholarly work and has received a significant number of professional awards. She also completed her MBA with an emphasis in Market Research with undergraduate double major degrees in Finance and Marketing from SIUE and an AS in Mathematics from SWIC. Dr. Sauget also has expertise in project management and strategic planning. Dr. Sauget has taught in the master’s programs at Webster University George Herbert Walker School of Business for past 8 years and Lindenwood University Accelerated Learning Program for the past 4 years.