Leadership

AAED Vice President
Senior Vice President, Research & Analytics, Greater Phoenix Economic Council

Kristen Stephenson serves as GPEC’s senior vice president of research & analytics. Kristen rejoined the team in 2018 after previously working for the organization from 2002-2014. In her role, she leads the innovative research programs such as the community partnership program, market intelligence and competitor market analyses, while supporting the efforts of the business development and marketing teams.

Prior to rejoining GPEC, Kristen worked for the City of Glendale in the Office of Economic Development, focusing on business attraction and expansion, including projects such as Progressive Leasing, Bechtel and Alaska USA Federal Credit Union. She also provided support to strategic projects and research for the city.

Kristen has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree in Community and Economic Development from the Pennsylvania State University. She is an International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Certified Economic Developer and serves on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Association for Economic Development. She was named one of AZ Big Media’s People to Know in 2022 and 2023. Kristen has lived in the region for over 30 years and currently resides in Glendale with her husband and two children.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-stephenson-cecd-0400b457

AAED Immediate Past President
Economic Development Principal, SRP

Karla Moran is a Principal Economic Development Analyst for the Salt River Project. She is responsible for attracting and expanding business and industry within SRP’s service territory, providing site-specific electrical infrastructure identification and cost analysis, and working collaboratively alongside state, regional, and municipal partners to identify targeted company attraction, expansion, and retention efforts conducive to building a healthy economy to advance well-planned growth throughout the Valley.

Moran has been in economic development for over 15 years, including roles at the Arizona Department of Commerce, the Arizona Commerce Authority, and the Town of Gilbert. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Arizona State University and is also pursuing a Certified Economic Developer designation with the International Economic Development Council and Arizona Economic Development Professional certification. Moran serves on the boards of CoreNet Global (Arizona chapter), Arizona Association for Economic Development and the Real Estate Investment Advisory Council and is a GPEC-Certified Ambassador.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlatmoran