Victoria Adams Phipps is an executive and impact strategist who was pivotal in solidifying New Orleans’ status as a hub of entrepreneurial activity. She is the Vice President of Engagements and Impact at Fourth Economy, an innovative consultancy focused on fostering action to create great communities, impactful organizations, and strong economies. Previously she served as Chief Strategy Officer at the New Orleans Business Alliance, the economic development engine for the city of New Orleans. In this role, she leads operational strategy, program design, and strategic communications. Most notably, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Victoria led relief efforts that generated $1.5MM in direct relief for New Orleanians, including gig economy workers, hospitality workers, and small businesses. Her work with the Gig Economy Relief Fund has received national acclaim from local and national media, including Forbes, Billboard, The Advocate | Times-Picayune, and Biz New Orleans. Prior to joining the New Orleans Business Alliance team, Victoria was Executive Producer of New Orleans
Entrepreneur Week, a week-long festival celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship that was a major driver of economic revitalization for New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina. In this role, Victoria worked with organizations like Google, JPMorgan Chase, Salesforce.com, and Uber to engage over 50,000 event attendees, driving $4.3MM in funding and resources to local startup ventures. Her efforts contributed to New Orleans being ranked #5 City Where Entrepreneurship is Booming by Entrepreneur Magazine and solidified Inc. Magazine’s declaration that New Orleans is the “Coolest Startup City in America.” Originally from Miami, Florida, Victoria received her Bachelor of Science from Loyola University New Orleans and certification in Diversity & Inclusion from Cornell University. Victoria serves on the board of directors at Good Work Network, the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, and Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans, where she Chairs the Strategy Committee. She is a past Curator within Global Shapers, a global community of young leaders established by the World Economic Forum. She’s an active member of the Junior League of New Orleans, and an alumna of the New Leaders Council Institute. Victoria has received numerous accolades including: Gambit’s 40 Under 40; New Orleans Magazine’s Top Female Achievers; Biz New
Orleans’ Women to Watch; and CityBusiness’  Women of the Year. Most recently, she was named the Young Economic Development Professional of the Year by the International Economic  Development Council and Top 40 Under 40 in the Economic Development Industry by Jorgen  Consulting and Development Counsellors  International.

Participants can call on me or the broader Fourth Economy team when seeking support in advancing equitable economic development strategies; driving community engagement processes; or executing analysis about your economy. I am also available for presentations, speaking engagements, and consulting scopes relative to economic development, entrepreneurship, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

I’m seeking international and domestic opportunities to consult with communities who seek strategies for economic advancement. Partnership and philanthropic support for equitable economic development efforts are also goals for this engagement.