State of our Community Keynote Speaker
Rebecca Gehman, Director of Talent Attraction | DCI
Rebecca has played a pivotal role in content creation, media relations, marketing strategies and brand development for more than a dozen economic development organizations since joining DCI in 2012. Rebecca also serves as DCI’s Director of Talent Attraction, overseeing best practices for how communities can grow and retain workforce and is the co-author of DCI’s research report, “Talent Wars: What People Look for in Jobs and Locations.”
In addition to executing a wide range of programs, she has had the opportunity to work with top “place” leaders—including three world leaders, two governors and six mayors (and counting). Whether it’s the Netherlands or Charleston, South Carolina, Rebecca’s creativity and curiosity helps clients deliver their message through social media or in The Wall Street Journal.
Rebecca graduated summa cum laude from Fordham University, where she majored in American Studies and studied Communications and Media Studies.
Rebecca’s Passion for Places
Rebecca believes the best way to explore a new place is through your stomach – naturally, her favorite places to visit are the Philippines and the South. When she doesn’t have a chance to visit, she eats vicariously through restaurant reviews and travel shows (she’s watched every episode of Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations”—all nine delicious seasons).
Notable Results
• When Goya announced their expansion in New Jersey, Rebecca saw a prime opportunity to tell the story of the Garden State’s relatively unknown food industry. The result? A nearly full-page feature in The New York Times Square Feet section titled, “With Affordable Space, New Jersey Lures Food Businesses,” secured on behalf of her client, Choose New Jersey.
• To promote Orlando’s “You Don’t Know the Half of It” branding campaign, Rebecca organized a New York City media tour with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, securing coverage in Bloomberg, The Street, FOX Business and The New York Times.
• Rebecca developed the Dutch Digital Ambassador program for the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency to share the good news from the Netherlands through social media advocates. Within the first year of launching, the program garnered 200+ users.
• Rebecca has also developed new brands and marketing strategies for several communities in the South.
