Tracye McDaniel

Tracye McDaniel is a recognized leader with invaluable marketing insight and a trusted advisor to economic development organizations, destination marketing organizations, CEOs and private enterprises. Her company, The McDaniel Strategy Ecosystems, LLC is a marketing consultancy providing a revolution of digital strategies and access to a global network of experts.

McDaniel has established a reputation of convening strategic partnerships with CEOs, private enterprises, economic development and destination marketing organizations from a broad spectrum of industries to deliver solutions and drive results. She has filled key leadership roles in marketing, public relations and communications, talent development, leadership development, fundraising and strategic planning.

Prior to founding McDaniel Strategy Ecosystems, LLC, McDaniel was President and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, Inc., an independently funded and operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, whose mission is dedicated to economic development, business recruitment, and job creation in the State of Texas. Texas Economic Development Corporation operates the TexasOne™ Program which coordinates efforts with the Office of the Governor for strategic marketing and lead generation activities.

Ms. McDaniel has more than 30 years of state and regional level experience as a widely recognized strategist in all facets of economic development, including public relations, tourism and international business development. As founding CEO of Choose New Jersey, McDaniel led global promotion, lead generation and project management for economic growth and job creation in the Garden State and is part of the state’s award-winning economic development organization: The New Jersey Partnership for Action (PFA). She has led successful economic development organizations in Texas and New Jersey under five Governors; Governor Ann Richards, Governor George Bush, Governor Rick Perry and Governor Greg Abbott in Texas and Governor Chris Christie in New Jersey. In 2007, Ms. McDaniel served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), Houston, TX, regarded as a top global location for business.

As a dynamic, committed business leader, McDaniel continues to be intimately involved in supporting the industry and community. She was elected Secretary/Treasurer of International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the world’s top organization for economic development professionals. She has held leadership positions, serving in the role of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Chapter of NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. McDaniel was appointed by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to both the Council on Innovation and the New Jersey Military Installation Growth and Development Task Force and was appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to serve on Texas Southern University Board of Regents and the Texas Economic Development Corporation, Board of Directors.

In recognition of her accomplishments in business and community, NJBIZ named McDaniel among New Jersey’s 2014 Best 50 Women in Business, as well as listed on the 100 Most Powerful People in New Jersey Business. She was recognized by Consultant Connect with North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers Award 2016 and the Excellence in Economic Development Award by the Site Selectors Guild.

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Ms. McDaniel is also a Ford Foundation Regional Sustainable Development (RSD) Fellow, a program of American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE).