Engagements

From cities and anchor institutions to corporate clients, Steven brings a data​-​driven, results​-​focused, and collaborative approach to all of his engagements, leveraging his experience in strategy creation, implementation​,​ and relationship development.

His expertise includes: economic development, strategy creation, policy analysis, anchor institutions, public-private partnerships, finance and incentives, real estate development, placemaking, land use and zoning, knowledge dissemination, branding, and public speaking.

Jerusalem Economic Development Strategy; Jerusalem

Developed strategy to ensure long-term competitiveness, resulting in a billion shekels for implementation from the Israeli government

Office of Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock; Denver

Developed an engagement framework and strategy for inclusive economic development and prosperity initiatives

Inter-American Development Bank; Washington, D.C.

Created a series of case study insights and best practices for growing the “orange (creative and knowledge) economy” in Latin America

San Diego-Tijuana Bi-National Policy Recommendations; San Diego

Developed and presented policies for cross-border collaboration to the U.S. Depts. of Commerce, State, and Homeland Security

Destination Tulsa 2020; Tulsa

Generated, in partnership with Resonance Consultancy, a plan to attract investment – business, talent, and visitors

Distrito Purísima-Alameda Urban Development Strategy; Monterrey

Produced a district plan for Distrito Purísima-Alameda and an anchor strategy for U-ERRE

Art Basel Cities; Buenos Aires

Evaluated Buenos Aries’ creative industries and developed go-to-market strategies for Art Basel Cities festival

Lynchburg Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan; Lynchburg

Produced economic development approach and implementation plan, focusing on inclusion and equity

Columbia River Economic Development Strategic Plan; Vancouver

Advanced, in partnership with Leland Consulting Group, a five-year strategic plan for targeted economic growth

Bozeman Economic Development Marketing Strategy; Bozeman

Developed, in partnership with Bridge Consulting, an economic development marketing strategy and cluster profiles

Big Sky, Montana Destination and Investment Marketing Strategy; Big Sky

Created, in partnership with Bridge Consulting, a destination and investment marketing strategy

Ruidoso, New Mexico  Economic Development and Tourism Assessment; Ruidoso

Executed, in collaboration with Bridge Consulting, an economic development and tourism assessment

Stayton, Oregon Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan; Stayton

Authored, in partnership with Bridge Consulting, a five-year strategic plan for targeted economic growth

Real Estate Council of Austin (RECA) Strategic Advising; Austin

Served as an advisor/keynote speaker for the RECA’s policy efforts for influencing for Austin’s CodeNEXT program

Salmon Arm Competitive Identity; Salmon Arm

Led, in partnership with Resonance Consultancy, a community competitive identity process and strategy

NYCEDC Jamaica Queens Neighborhood Branding and Placemaking; New York

Detailed, in partnership with Resonance Consultancy, a community branding and placemaking approach

Yukon Innovative Economy Strategy; Whitehouse

Assessed the Yukon’s creative and innovation economy, resulting in short- and long-term recommendations

CareerSource Suncoast State of Talent Conference; Sarasota

Featured as keynote conference speaker for Florida’s “State of Talent Conference,” offering thought leadership and best practices on talent attraction and retention

The Erie Community Foundation; Erie

Designed and implemented a community indicators dashboard to track Erie’s economic progress, talent and skill improvements, and quality of life enhancements

Newark Creative and Cultural Assessment; Newark

Outlined Newark’s creative and cultural assets, leading to improved support programs for creative businesses

Eugene Industry and Talent Assessment; Eugene

Developed industry and talent cluster forecast, improving attraction efforts and workforce programs

Southwestern Ohio Council on Higher Education (SOCHE) Community Engagement; Dayton

Delivered the Dayton Creative Communities Leadership Program, a yearlong initiative aimed at retaining talent

Knight Foundation Creative Communities Leadership Program; Miami and Various U.S. Cities

Created scalable community engagement program for the Foundation’s 23 investment communities

Portland-Vancouver Economic Development Strategy; Portland

Fashioned private-sector strategy for advancing area industry priorities and attracting/retaining talent

Washington, D.C. Talent Assessment and Strategy; Washington, D.C.

Authored talent study, creating a dialogue about workforce issues and leading to new community college programs

EDENS Inclusive Prosperity Framework; Washington, D.C.

Fashioned anchor framework for Union Market, including procurement priorities, merchant-support programs, and neighborhood outreach

Silverstein Properties; New York

Developed a destination and development strategy, in collaboration with Resonance Consultancy, for a large-scale regional entertainment center

FIU Miami Urban Future Initiative Strategy; Miami

Created strategy for the Miami Urban Future Initiative, resulting in $1.2 million in funding from the Knight Foundation 

Kaufman Astoria Studios District Development Strategy; New York

Guided Kaufman Astoria Studios and its partners on the creation of an arts and entertainment district in Queens, New York

University of Texas at Arlington Engagement Plan; Arlington

Advised UTA President James Spaniolo, as a Visiting Scholar, on how to strengthen the University’s regional position

Philadelphia Inclusive Prosperity Engagement Strategy; Philadelphia

Created, in collaboration with Richard Florida as part of the Philadelphia Fellowship at Drexel University, an inclusive prosperity engagement strategy

Creative Industries Study and Belas Artes University Engagement Plan; Sao Paulo

Authored creative industries report, leading to curriculum review and engagement plan for Brazil’s largest design school

Utah Urban Land Institute Trends Conference; Salt Lake City

Served as keynote speaker for the Utah ULI Trends conference, presenting a message about the importance of inclusive development

CEDIM Masters of Business Innovation Program; Monterrey and Mexico City

Worked with CEDIM leadership to develop and scale Masters program across Mexico and serve as a professor

Noosa Australia Creative Economy Assessment and Growth Strategy; Noosa

Consulted with Stockwell Properties and regional government on urban and community development strategies

Emaar Properties Community Engagement; Vancouver

Led, in partnership with Emaar, community visioning and masterplan workshops with First Nation communities

Converse Creative Class Marketing; Boston

Crafted Jack Purcell go-to-market plan, focusing on four U.S. markets, London, and Beijing

Kraft Peanut Butter Community Activation Plan; Toronto

Developed, in partnership with Edelman, Kraft’s community activation plan, including target cities, partners, and messaging

Starwood Hotel Site Selection Strategy; New York

Provided site selection strategy for 15 global locations and curated content for the “creative class” consumer

Downtown Project and Zappos Community Engagement; Las Vegas

Advised Zappos’ CEO Tony Hsieh and city officials on strategies for redeveloping downtown Las Vegas

Cirque du Soleil Site Selection Assessment; Montreal

Advised on North America target markets, leading to company’s “most successful site strategy for performances”

Prudential; Newark

Consulted on future growth scenarios and projections for urbanization, including city needs and challenges

Audi Community and Urban Engagement; New York

Partnered in the creation of the Audi Urban Future Initiative, a program to improve urban mobility

LE Luxury Travel; Miami

Delivered a series of industry workshops, for connecting luxury travel brands to the “creative class” consumer

Pinewood Studios Site Selection Study; London

Guided one of the world’s largest film studios on the impact of creative clusters, resulting in locational insights

Genentech Global Leadership Forum; San Francisco

Offered executive education sessions about the importance of location to personal and business growth

Philips Livable Cities Award; Amsterdam

Created, in partnership with CNN, award program to improve the urban resident health, resulting in 450 entries from 29 countries

onefinestay Site Selection; London

Informed onefinestay’s organizational and marketing strategy for targeting the “creative class” consumer

BMW Creative Class Marketing Strategy; Washington, D.C.

Informed, in collaboration with GSD&M, the “Idea Class” campaign, hailed as “one of its most successful ad campaigns for BMW”