Mesa: Jaye O'Donnell Named Economic Developer of the Year by AAED

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~ Mesa, Arizona - Jaye O'Donnell, the Economic Development Director for the city of Mesa, has been named Economic Developer of the Year for Large Communities by the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED). This prestigious award recognizes O'Donnell's outstanding leadership, results, and service to the economic development profession in Arizona.

The AAED's Economic Development Distinguished by Excellence (EDDE) Awards honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to economic growth in the state. O'Donnell's dedication and hard work have helped position Mesa as one of the most competitive and forward-looking cities in Arizona.

Under her leadership, Mesa's Office of Economic Development has achieved remarkable success. The 17-person team focuses on business attraction, retention and expansion, redevelopment, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. In the fiscal year 2025, Mesa surpassed its economic development goals by securing 47 relocation and expansion projects. These projects generated over 5 million square feet of commercial development, $3.49 billion in capital investment, and created 3,370 new jobs with average annual wages above $65,000.

Mayor Mark Freeman praised O'Donnell's leadership saying, "Jaye O'Donnell's leadership has helped position Mesa as one of the most competitive and forward-looking cities in Arizona. This recognition from AAED reflects not only her professional excellence but also the lasting impact of her work to attract quality jobs, support local businesses and strengthen opportunities for Mesa residents."

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O'Donnell's strategic vision and strong execution have led to major business attraction and expansion wins across various industries such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, aviation, and technology. She has also played a crucial role in supporting retail placemaking initiatives while promoting small business growth. Her team provided support for projects involving well-known employers such as Google, Niagara Water, Metso Outotec, FlightSafety International, Gifthealth, Strive Pharmacy, and DSV.

City Manager Scott Butler praised O'Donnell's leadership style saying, "Jaye brings strategic vision, strong execution, and a collaborative leadership style that elevates everyone around her. She has built a culture of performance and partnership that continues to deliver meaningful results for Mesa's economy and for the businesses and residents we serve."

Apart from her role in project delivery, O'Donnell has also been actively involved in advancing the economic development profession. She serves on the AAED Board of Directors and has taught AAED Basic Training. O'Donnell also supports professional development across her team and serves in regional leadership roles that help align economic development strategy across Greater Phoenix and Arizona.

Before becoming the Economic Development Director, O'Donnell served as Mesa's Assistant Economic Development Director. In this role, she led initiatives such as the Mesa CARES Small Business Reemergence Program, higher education recruitment strategy, and brand development for the Falcon and Asian Districts. Prior to joining Mesa, she held economic development, tourism, and marketing leadership roles for the State of Arizona. She began her public-sector career with the City of Glendale.

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O'Donnell holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State University and a certificate in Global Leadership from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED), founded in 1974, serves as Arizona's unified voice for responsible economic development through professional education, public policy, and collaboration.

Mesa's Office of Economic Development (OED) works towards enhancing Mesa's economy by promoting a culture of quality while supporting the creation of higher wage jobs. The office also focuses on promoting direct investment and increasing prosperity for residents through four lines of service: business attraction, retention, and expansion; entrepreneurship and small business development; redevelopment and revitalization; workforce development; and talent attraction. OED is the primary point of contact for existing businesses, prospective businesses, site selectors, developers, and community stakeholders seeking technical expertise and support services to evaluate business opportunities in Mesa.

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