06/05/2026
📣International Economic Development Council Awards Shayla Douglas the Certified Economic Developer Designation👏
Shayla Douglas earned the nationally recognized designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), denoting a mastery of skills in economic development and a dedication to personal and professional growth. This milestone marks a significant achievement and underscores Shayla's commitment to excellence in the field of economic development.
“Becoming a Certified Economic Developer isn’t just a credential, it’s a career-defining milestone that demonstrates a professional’s dedication to elevating their expertise and their community impact,” said IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle. “Certified Economic Developers possess deep technical knowledge and bring trust and credibility to stakeholders, investors, and peers. We are thrilled to celebrate Shayla Douglas on achieving this accomplishment and joining our network of professionals driving economic progress around the world.”
The CEcD designation is a prestigious acknowledgement of skilled and committed professionals in the field of economic development, establishing a benchmark of excellence within the industry. To attain this designation, candidates must successfully complete a rigorous and comprehensive examination, consisting of three parts and spanning two days. This examination assesses a practitioner's knowledge, proficiency, judgement, and critical thinking abilities in the following areas of economic development:
• Business retention and expansion
• Finance & credit analysis
• Marketing and attraction
• Strategic planning
• Entrepreneurial & small business development
• Managing economic development organizations
• Neighborhood development strategies
• Real estate development & reuse
• Technology-led economic development
• Workforce development strategies
• Foreign direct investment & exporting
Certified Economic Developers operate as highly skilled economic development professionals and collaborate with public officials, business leaders, and community members to establish astute leadership and serve as a driving force in the economic development landscape. Their commitment to excellence translates into a profound impact on well-being, elevating the quality of life and unlocking a myriad of opportunities for individuals, businesses, and communities alike.
Shayla is now one of over 1,200 active CEcDs worldwide.
About Shayla Douglas
Shayla Douglas serves as the Assistant Director of Pitt County Economic Development, where she focuses on existing industry engagement, business retention and expansion, product and site development, and partner coordination. Her work emphasizes strengthening relationships with local employers, aligning state and regional resources, and supporting long-term economic growth across Pitt County. Previously, Shayla served as the North Carolina Main Street Director for the Town of Garner, where she led downtown revitalization efforts and community-based economic development initiatives.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With thousands of members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in a full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at https://www.iedconline.org/.
