Janet Wilding

VP of Major Projects and 39 North, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership

Ms. Wilding is currently the Vice President of Major Projects and 39N at the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership leading the master planning of 39 North, a new 600 acre innovation district focusing on the AgTech industry encompassing the Danforth Plant Science Center, BRDG Park, The Helix Center, Yield Lab Accelerator and Bayer CropScience. The district is envisioned as an active, inspiring and utterly unique place where the world’s brightest minds in food, water, energy and the environment converge, collide and collaborate to solve our biggest challenges and advance the human condition. Previously, she was a principal with Policy & Change, LLC as a consulting partner to the National Park Service working on the strategic planning and implementing for the transformation of the Gateway Arch grounds, Museum, Visitor Center and Riverfront. The project, known as CityArchRiver, is re-imagining the front door of St. Louis and creating a world class public space at this iconic park. Construction of the park was complete July 2, 2018. Prior to becoming a consultant in 2013, Ms. Wilding was Deputy Director of The Great Rivers Greenway District, for 12 years implementing an interconnected system of parks, trails and open space for the St. Louis Region. She was one of the original staff to set up this regional agency after the passage of a regional sales tax for parks and open space in 2000. She assisted in creating the vision and framework that currently guides the work of the regional greenway system. She also managed the construction of the McKinley Bridge Bikeway, Branch Street Trestle, Riverfront Trail, Grant’s Trail and the St. Louis Riverfront development projects and ended her time there responsible for all operating and capital budgeting for the District. Janet has spent the last 28 years in the public sector working on a wide variety of public policy initiatives; from political campaign work and congressional staffing to neighborhood housing advocacy, brownfield redevelopment, and municipal annexation and incorporations. She is passionate about public life and a strong advocate for progressive issues locally. Her educational background is in economics, urban design and architecture.