Casey Steinbacher, Founder of Finding Next, is widely recognized as a national expert in urban innovation strategies. Her company identifies and creates NEXT opportunities for organizations, businesses, and communities, with a unique emphasis on people and place-based economic development.

Casey is a 27-year veteran of leading community-based organizations focused on business and economic development. She served as CEO of three Chambers of Commerce in Pennsylvania, Florida, and North Carolina. During her tenure in the Research Triangle region, the Durham Chamber received international acclaim for its leadership in economic and entrepreneurial development, winning the award for the Best Innovative Economic Development Project at the World Chambers Congress in Doha, Qatar in 2013; the only US Chamber to be so honored. She is credited with authoring the innovative talent attraction strategy that targeted entrepreneurs and millennials as key components for the place-based renaissance of downtown Durham, NC that MSNBC proclaimed as the “start-up capital of the south.”

Her current company, Finding Next, has assisted in reimagining the model for clients that include chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, businesses, local communities, and non profit organizations. She is a sought-after facilitator for Board and Staff retreats and works with Chambers of Commerce to reassess Strategic Initiatives and reimagine the execution of the work for more impactful outcomes.

She is an accomplished author, most recently releasing the ebook, “From Relevant to Essential” which redefined the work chambers and community-based organizations need to do to elevate their value from relevant to essential. She is a regular keynote speaker on topics ranging from strategic thinking, talent strategy, reimagining ecosystems, and community vibe.