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Senior Vice President, Global Strategy & Engagement
Indiana Economic Development Corp.
Indiana is considered a leader in subnational diplomacy, or efforts at a local level to engage with foreign nations. Playing point in that effort is Andrea Richter-Garry. Her work ranges from planning international trips to hosting diplomatic delegations to planning business development events to, as she puts it, “connecting the dots on how these global relationships bring revenue, innovation and job opportunity to Hoosiers.” She created the Indiana State Trade and Export Promotion program, which helps small businesses with exporting. She oversees the Indiana Office of Defense Development, which aims to boost the state’s defense-related economy. She launched the Indiana Economic Summit, which last year attracted delegations from 31 countries. In short, she elevates Indiana’s global reputation. “At our core, I believe people just want the chance to take care of themselves, their families, their communities and enjoy their lives,” she said. “Access to economic opportunity is key to that and provides stability across borders and regions—whether it is in the Middle East, the Baltics or here in Main Street, Indiana.”
Getting here: She worked as chief of staff for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Energy and as an advance lead to President Barack Obama, a role in which she handled preparations for the president’s domestic and foreign travel. When Obama left office in 2017, Richter-Garry moved to Indiana with her husband for his job. Lots of networking led to her current role.
First job: worked on the family farm
Givebacks: co-founder of Women4Change Indiana; co-founder and board chair of the Indiana-Germany Business Council; board member of the International School of Indiana and the Asia-Pacific Business Association of Indiana
Meaningful moment: A 2016 White House trip to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after historic flooding. “Seeing President Obama bring a message of, ‘You’re not alone on this,’ especially when the cameras were off, reminded me that public service and striving for high-minded ideals in government are intensely local. Public service is showing up for everyday citizens in their moment of need. I carry that trip with me always as a reminder that government is about service to community.”•
Check out more Forty Under 40 honorees.
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