How Planning, Structure, and Collaboration Shape Economic Development Outcomes │Amalia Cunningham, AICP
Fri Feb 06 2026
In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development podcast, Kaycee interviews Amalia Cunningham, AICP, owner and principal of Amalia Cunningham Consulting. They discuss Amalia's extensive experience in economic development, spanning over 20 years in local government before starting her own consulting practice. The conversation covers key topics, including the integration of planning and economic development, effective resource allocation, and the challenges and solutions for developers and local government staff in fostering community growth. Key insights include the importance of understanding local regulations, the impact of organizational structure on economic development outcomes, and the need for collaboration among stakeholders.
In this episode, we explore:
The transition from public-sector leadership to private consulting. Amalia explains the key differences between working inside local government and advising from the outside, and how her background enables her to bridge gaps among policy, planning, and implementation.
Practical guidance for developers and local stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of understanding municipal processes, zoning, and regulatory frameworks.
Organizational structures (restructures) and their impact on effectiveness. Amalia explains when restructuring economic development departments makes sense, what local governments should consider during the process, and how structure can either enable or hinder results.
Quotable: “ No matter what side of the table you're sitting on, if you're an economic developer, if you're the private sector trying to do a project, I always try to approach my work and my practice assuming the best intentions from everyone else involved.”
Resources and Links
Connect with Amalia Cunningham on LinkedIn
Amalia Cunningham Consulting
News and Views American Planning Association, "Where Should Economic Development Live?"
Special Guest: Amalia Cunningham, AICP.
More
In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development podcast, Kaycee interviews Amalia Cunningham, AICP, owner and principal of Amalia Cunningham Consulting. They discuss Amalia's extensive experience in economic development, spanning over 20 years in local government before starting her own consulting practice. The conversation covers key topics, including the integration of planning and economic development, effective resource allocation, and the challenges and solutions for developers and local government staff in fostering community growth. Key insights include the importance of understanding local regulations, the impact of organizational structure on economic development outcomes, and the need for collaboration among stakeholders. In this episode, we explore: The transition from public-sector leadership to private consulting. Amalia explains the key differences between working inside local government and advising from the outside, and how her background enables her to bridge gaps among policy, planning, and implementation. Practical guidance for developers and local stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of understanding municipal processes, zoning, and regulatory frameworks. Organizational structures (restructures) and their impact on effectiveness. Amalia explains when restructuring economic development departments makes sense, what local governments should consider during the process, and how structure can either enable or hinder results. Quotable: “ No matter what side of the table you're sitting on, if you're an economic developer, if you're the private sector trying to do a project, I always try to approach my work and my practice assuming the best intentions from everyone else involved.” Resources and Links Connect with Amalia Cunningham on LinkedIn Amalia Cunningham Consulting News and Views American Planning Association, "Where Should Economic Development Live?" Special Guest: Amalia Cunningham, AICP.