Julie Meier Wright

Julie Meier Wright

Julie Meier Wright is strategic advisor to Collaborative Economics, a nationally recognized company that mobilizes “civic entrepreneurs” – individuals who combine the passion and persistence of a business entrepreneur with the vision and commitment of a transformational civic leader. In that role, she served as a co-producer of the history 2012 California Economic Summit and the follow-on event in 2013. She also served on the Think Long Committee for California’s Task Force on
Jobs, Infrastructure and the Workforce, and was an advisor on the Lt. Governor’s report, An Economic Growth & Competitiveness Agenda for California. She also currently serves as an advisor to the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.

In 2011 she retired as president and chief executive officer of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation,the premier business-development organization for the greater San Diego region, involved in marketing, public policy, and direct assistance to companies.

In 2004, EDC received the Global Innovator award from CoreNet Global, the world’s premier association for corporate real estate and related professionals. In 2003, the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded EDC its Excellence in Economic Development Award for “Enhancing Regional Competitiveness.”

From 2004 to 2006 Ms. Wright served on the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board Task Force on Math-Science Education. In 2003, Ms. Wright served on gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Economic Recovery Council.

Ms. Wright was named Director of the Year for Not-for-Profit Boards and Director of the Year for
Companies in Transition by the Corporate Directors Forum. In 2004, Ms. Wright was named one of the “Women Who Move the City” by San Diego Magazine. In 2002, she received the “Women of Distinction” award from Soroptimist International. In 2001, she received Junior Achievement’s San Diego Hall of Fame Lifetime Laureate Award and the San Diego Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Award. In 1998, she was one of San Diego Magazine’s “50 People to Watch.” Wright was named California Leader of the Year by Leadership California in 1996 and the nation’s Outstanding Secretary of Commerce by the Biotechnology Industry Organization in 1995.

Ms. Wright holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from the University of Maryland. She has completed the Stanford University Advanced Management College, the Stanford Financial Seminar, and a special program on competitiveness at Harvard University.