Profiles in Leadership: Helen Cauthen
By RDG Principal Ellie Dunavant
Resource Development Group (RDG) recently completed a successful campaign for the Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development (CVPED). Since joining the partnership in 2012, Helen Cauthen, has driven remarkable progress for the region over the past 12+ years. With this campaign under their belt, the regional partnership is well-positioned for smart growth in the coming years. I recently had the pleasure interviewing Helen to discuss her career in economic development, CVPED’s upcoming initiatives, and the role RDG played in their recent success.
What led you to a career in Economic Development?
My career began at the Chamber of Commerce in Louisville, Kentucky. We were co-located with the economic development office, which sparked my interest in the field. This experience led to my role in Greensboro, North Carolina, where I was tasked with launching the existing business retention and expansion initiative.
How did you land at the Central Virginia Partnership?
After many years in economic development, I wanted to lead an organization. I moved to Florida to join Team Volusia as their first CEO, which was a fun challenge. Later, I was approached by Charlottesville with the exciting opportunity to join the CVPED team. My husband grew up here, and having the chance to do economic development in the place we most wanted to live is rare, so we eagerly embraced it.
What excites you most/what is your favorite part about your role at the partnership?
I enjoy working with diverse stakeholders across our region, including our partners at the localities, to understand their unique needs and support their smart growth in a tailored way. Madison County has taken a big step forward with the formation of an economic development committee. Albemarle County’s recent acquisition of land near Rivanna Station, called Rivanna Station Futures, has been a significant development. Charlottesville’s North Fork is a ready to go site and Greene County now has significant site assets to market. Louisa County’s development of the 700-acre Shannon Hill Regional Business Park marks substantial progress. When I joined the partnership, we were so limited on sites that our primary selling points were livability and quality of life. Now, with significant assets, we are well positioned to drive economic growth and continue supporting site development in the region.
What makes the regional partnership unique?
One of our greatest strengths is our ability to work collaboratively. I’m very fortunate to have all our localities be so willing to cooperate for the good of the region, which is crucial given our diverse mix of small to large communities.
We’re also home to one of the best public universities in the country, the University of Virginia. Being able to highlight the University provides us with a significant advantage, as many people recognize the university as prestigious. Our proximity to Washington, D.C., just 100 miles away, offers easy access to multiple airports, including CHO and Dulles International. The strategic location, combined with our mix of mountains, beaches, industrial areas, and beautiful views, makes our region a truly unique and attractive place to live and work.
What is your favorite project you’ve worked on throughout your career?
One of my favorite projects was the HondaJet headquarters and manufacturing facility in Greensboro. It was an exceptional experience to be on the team that successfully landed this project. Greensboro also had a 500,000-square-foot expansion of the Procter & Gamble facility, which produced 90% of North America’s Crest products and was an incredible project to work on.
CVPED’s standout project is the $11 billion AWS data center in Louisa County. My role differed here, as the county took the lead while we provided regional support, data, and back-office assistance. This project will be hard to beat!
What project or initiative are you most looking forward to tackling in the year ahead?
One of the key areas I’m excited about is our continued work on site development. We will be collaborating with our localities to help them leverage state funds available through programs like the Virginia Business Ready Site Program. Our support often makes it easier for them to secure funding and, in some cases, advocate for larger amounts. I’m also looking forward to our efforts in marketing and business attraction. This is an area where we really take the lead as most of our localities don’t have the capacity to focus on this. It’s a vital part of what we do!
What is the number one issue your community is facing?
Workforce development is the overarching challenge, particularly in finding the right talent for roles across the spectrum. Our companies are seeking both highly qualified professionals and skilled entry-level workers. Our TechLink initiative aims to retain UVA students in the region by connecting them to tech jobs. Our workforce Development Director, Katie Delaney, has dedicated her time to ensuring students are aware of local opportunities and facilitates internships. We look forward to expanding this work to talent attraction.
What are the current main challenges for professionals in economic development?
Balancing the role of being an economic developer while running a lean organization is a unique challenge. It’s a constant juggle between operational tasks, and strategic efforts, like marketing the region and supporting our existing businesses. Having the right board leadership is also crucial. I’m fortunate to have a strong and engaged board with excellent chairs year after year.
What led to your decision to hire a professional fundraising firm for your first capital campaign?
We felt that hiring a professional firm was essential to elevating our organization to the next level. We had been considering this move since I joined the partnership, but it wasn’t something our organization had done before. My board realized the importance of bringing in outside expertise. One of the most valuable aspects of working with RDG was getting a fresh perspective on our materials, program of work, and how we communicate our mission. That feedback was invaluable and played a key role in our decision to move forward.
Why Resource Development Group?
We conducted a competitive interview process, and RDG really stood out to our team. The ability to look at our work from a bird’s eye view and provide feedback set RDG apart. The team’s willingness to review our materials early on and provide a fresh perspective on what we were missing and what needed to be highlighted set us up for success early in the process. Most importantly, the national perspective RDG offers is a resource we couldn’t access in such a customized way, making RDG's guidance just as valuable as the funds raised.
RDG’s team also did a phenomenal job during the interviews with the executive committee and Board members. They were relatable and engaging while demonstrating an ability to answer tough questions with finesse. They were able to make persuasive yet respectful asks that resonated with our community. Another big factor for us was knowing who we would be working with throughout the campaign. We were confident that Clint and other senior leaders would be involved every step of the way, rather than the work being handed off to a consultant.
What was it like working with Resource Development Group?
Working with RDG was an excellent experience. We were thrilled with their team and our results. One of the most valuable aspects of the process was RDG’s ability to take all the information we provided, streamline our messaging, and deliver easily customizable materials at every stage. Their flexibility was crucial, offering a perfect balance between being onsite to meeting prospects and utilizing Zoom to reach more companies efficiently. We especially appreciated the thorough briefings and flawless organization RDG brought to the project. Their ability to bridge conversations and provide professional insights into regional funding comparisons made our fundraising efforts more impactful. RDG truly exceeded our expectations!
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