Background

Kat Saunders is a Partner and Head of Strategy for Economic Leadership, LLC, a consultancy working in more than 20 states to develop economic and workforce strategies and manage communications and stakeholder engagement for complex real estate developments. A specialist in economic development, real estate and talent attraction, she advises clients on building effective strategies to produce results that shift perception and reputation while engaging stakeholders in the overall economic development process. Prior to joining Economic Leadership, Kat was EVP of Client Strategy at DCI in New York City and a VP at Hill + Knowlton. Before moving to New York, she led government affairs for the Tampa affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders with a focus on building codes, permitting, land use, water, and other growth-related issues.

Work

Kat is the lead economic development and communications strategist for Howard Hughes Communities, the country’s largest master planned community developer. She also leads stakeholder engagement for Florida Power & Light, the largest utility in Florida; and manages economic development and communications strategy for life science and advanced manufacturing campuses like Generation Park in Houston and Speros by Moffitt Cancer in Tampa Bay. Kat has managed multiple state-level competitiveness strategies including projects for the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, New York State Business Council, and the Colorado Chamber.  She has presented at multiple conferences and events including FEDC, TEDC, SEDC and IEDC.

Previous clients include the Greater Houston Partnership, Research Triangle Regional Partnership, New Hampshire Business & Economic Affairs, Business Council of New York State, Deloitte Real Estate, Nixon Peabody LLP, and The Staubach Company.

About

Kat is a graduate of Florida State University, where she studied public relations, business, and political science and was named to the FSU Senior Hall of Fame. She lives in Westchester County, New York, with her husband, a commercial real estate broker at JLL, and her three children.