As Executive Vice President for Economic Development, Dyan Brasington leads a team of economic development professionals whose mission is to increase jobs and investment in Miami-Dade County through initiatives that assist in business location and expansion, support innovation and entrepreneurship, and build a strong community base of industries.

Dyan’s background includes over 30 years of experience in economic development, bringing a broad array of knowledge and skills to the Council that include entrepreneurship, public policy advocacy, tech-led economic development and team building. Prior to joining the Beacon Council, Dyan was Vice President of Innovation and Applied Research at Towson University in Maryland where she was responsible for economic development applied research programs, workforce development, community partnerships; and she began many new programs to include the development of an incubator, business plan competitions, the Student Launch Pad, and the Professional Leadership Program for Women.

Dyan also previously served as the President of the Technology Council of Maryland, an organization focused on the integration, expansion, and advancement of technology companies in Maryland.  She also has served as Director of Economic Development for the State of West Virginia; Howard County, Maryland; Montgomery County, Maryland; and Prince William County, Virginia.

Volunteer Activity

Dyan is currently a Board member of the Florida Economic Development Council, and has served on the Boards of the Baltimore Branch of the Federal Reserve, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA), University Economic Developers Association, Leadership Maryland and others.  Additionally, she served on the Board of the Reginald Lourie Center for Infants and Children and has worked on behalf of several charitable campaigns.

Awards & Recognition

Dyan has received awards and recognition to include: Maryland Top 100 Women winner and Circle of Excellence Award winner; Named one of Washington DC’s 100 Most Influential Women; Admitted to the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) Hall of Fame; Fellow Member (FM), International Economic Development Council (IEDC); Honorary Life Member (HLM) of the International Development Council.

Education

Brasington is a native Floridian and earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing and master’s degree in speech communication from Florida State University.  She earned a second master’s degree in urban public policy from UMBC. She is a Certified Economic and Community Developer (CEcD), the professional designation in economic development.