Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) today announced that Mary Perry, the Association’s President and Chief Executive Officer, has informed the WEDA Board that after leading the organization for nearly four years, she will retire in August 2024. A transition plan is in place to ensure the continued success of WEDA and the programs and services provided to members across Wisconsin.
Mary Perry, President and CEO, stated, “Leading WEDA over the past several years has been the privilege of a lifetime. Working with members and partners to help drive economic prosperity and make Wisconsin an even better place to live, work, and do business has been incredibly rewarding. I take great pride in what we have achieved together to advance the organization and position WEDA for long-term success. I will miss working with my economic development colleagues from across the state, but I am excited about spending more quality time with family and friends as I enter this new chapter of my life.”
Perry has served as WEDA President & CEO since Jan. 2021. Under her leadership, WEDA has experienced exceptional growth, the implementation of valuable member programs and services, and greater influence over the direction of economic development in Wisconsin.
Melissa Hunt, the current Chairperson of the WEDA Board of Directors, said, “I have had the privilege and pleasure of working with Mary before and since she took the helm as WEDA President and CEO, and I do not have adequate words to express my gratitude for her extraordinary vision and leadership, which has solidified WEDA and advanced economic development across Wisconsin. While the entire WEDA family will miss her day-to-day presence, she has earned the opportunity to think about her next act, and we wish nothing but the best in her retirement. Thankfully, Mary will leave WEDA in a rock-solid position as we begin the search for her successor.”
The WEDA Board of Directors has launched a search to identify Perry’s successor. In the short term, Kathryn Berger will act as interim president and CEO. Berger has been a WEDA member for decades and has served as executive treasurer of the WEDA Board of Directors for the past two years, where she has demonstrated great leadership and a deep commitment to the WEDA mission. An economic development veteran, she brings a wealth of experience from the public, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors, which will be instrumental in guiding WEDA through this transition.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Association, founded in 1975, is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to growing Wisconsin’s economy. Driven by the needs of our 450-plus members, we represent the economic development interests of both the private and public sectors through leadership on statewide initiatives.
