Named the “Innovator to Watch” in the arts by Wisconsin Biz Times in 2015, Greg Wright transformed a local arts advocacy organization into a people-centered, new-model economic development organization that leverages creativity as the key resource of vibrant communities. His work was recognized as the Economic Development Initiative of 2020 by the Wisconsin Economic Development Association and led to him teaching economic development to MBA candidates at the UW-Stevens Point. Earlier this year, Greg left that nonprofit to start Spark Towns, a consulting firm that is bringing his model of economic development to small places across the country.