WICE Member Spotlight: Katie Newcombe, Senior Economic Developer, National Grid
Welcome to the first Member Spotlight of 2020 in our series highlighting WICE members around the city and state.
Active WICE member, Katie Newcombe, is a Senior Economic Developer at National Grid and resides in Albany. We thank her for her time and candor while answering our questions below.
- Can you tell us about your job? I help customers and communities grow by leading National Grid’s economic development efforts in New York State’s Capital Region. In addition to developing strategic, policy, and program objectives, I generate and maintain a significant portfolio of grant projects that help revitalize downtowns and grow the State’s agricultural, manufacturing, logistics, clean energy, and technology sectors.
- How do you balance your work and personal life? I try to prioritize, dedicate time to be present for work, family, friends, and myself – and maybe most importantly, I have learned to say “no” without feeling too guilty. I also accept that sometimes there is an imbalance – your family or work needs more time and energy – and that’s okay, too.
- What is a piece of advice you’d give your younger self? You don’t have to have it all figured out! This is also good advice to remind my 30-something-year-old self.
- What is your education and work experience like? I have more than a decade of economic development experience spanning multiple states and public, private, and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining National Grid five years ago, I was employed by Capitalize Albany as a Senior Economic Developer and served as Director, Northwest Region for Pennsylvania’s Governor’s Office of Economic Development. I am active in the community and serve on several boards and committees, including the Red Cross. I received a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Finance and a Master of Business Administration from Pennsylvania State University.
- What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? I love to camp, hike, and be in the woods. I also enjoy exploring antique stores, flea markets, and rummage shops.
- In your opinion, how important is it to network and meet others in your field? It is critical for personal and professional growth. Given the dynamic nature of the energy industry, it can be challenging to comprehend everything that’s happening; networking is a great way to learn from peers. I am particularly grateful to WICE for creating space to network and learn from a diverse and driven group of women in the industry.
- What book are you currently reading? I am currently reading Good Economics for Hard Times by Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo.
- Who is your biggest influence and why? My biggest professional influence was a professor in college, Jim Kurre. Kurre’s regional economics class and enthusiasm was the start of my passion for economic development.
If you are interested in being highlighted in this series on our blog, please contact WICE Communications and Marketing Manager, Erin Gryniak, at erin.gryniak@nationalgrid.com.