Della Rucker has been working on practical systems to build healthy local economies for over 30 years. Della has designed systems for accelerating economic revitalization, growing healthy small businesses, fostering intelligent land use and creating inclusive public engagement. Della is one of fewer than 10 persons in the US to hold the industry-standard professional certifications in both planning (AICP) and economic development (CEcD).

Della is the Principal of the Wise Economy Workshop, a platform for Thinking and Doing to help communities of all types become Future-Ready. She is also the Chief Operating Officer of Trep House, a virtual superhub for New Majority business owners, and co-founder of Econogy, a groundbreaking company that accelerates innovation in businesses, organizations and communities.

Prior to Econogy, Della served as National Lead for Economic Development for Jacobs Engineering Group. During her tenure with Jacobs and predecessor organizations, Della led comprehensive and other plan development for over 50 communities in multiple states, conducted extensive data analysis as well as large-scale public engagement initiatives, and led development of a groundbreaking fiscal impact analysis tool.

Della is the author of several books, including The Local Economy Revolution Has Arrived, Everybody Innovates Here, Crowdsourcing Wisdom, and over a hundred shorter pieces across multiple platforms.

An energetic speaker known for hands-on sessions that get attendees moving, laughing and thinking, Della has given more than 150 keynotes, workshops and trainings on topics ranging from parking infill to emerging economic trends.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Della lives in Cincinnati with her husband and not-always-willingly writing  subject, David, and a small rabbit creatively known as Bunny.  She has two adult sons whose names are withheld to protect the innocent.