Valerie Lemmie, the Kettering Foundation’s director of exploratory research, joined an illustrious panel of development and civic engagement professionals at the annual meeting of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) on September 19. Lemmie’s video presentation was on strategies to incorporate democratic practices into community and economic development civic engagement initiatives. A past member of IEDC and a certified economic development specialist, this is the second presentation Lemmie has made in recent years to this membership, which increasingly recognizes economic growth requires healthy, respectful, collaborative relationships with the public. They know from experience communities that are divided cannot grow and that prosperity means little if it is just for the privileged few.