is a longtime economic and community development professional who serves as director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA). Durham was named to the position by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds in January 2019.

Durham was first appointed to lead IEDA in 2011 and has turned the agency into a successful public-private partnership, landed billion-dollar economic development projects for Iowa and worked tirelessly to expand trade and investment opportunities for the state. She was appointed to lead IFA in 2019, when Governor Reynolds recognized an opportunity to further bolster Iowa’s communities and economy by bringing together IFA and IEDA. Durham prides herself on building coalitions, supporting new ventures, and strengthening the state’s industries and communities.

Prior to joining IEDA | IFA, Durham served as president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.

Her several accolades include nine-time recognition as one of the Most Influential Business Leaders in the Des Moines Business Record Book of Lists. She has been named the Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s Manufacturing Champion, the Technology Association of Iowa’s UHY Impact Award winner and Legislative Advocacy Leader, the Iowa Restaurant Association’s Industry Champion, and the American Clean Power Association’s Renewable Energy Champion. Durham also has received the Christian Petersen Design Award from Iowa State University’s College of Design, the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s Honorary Master Pork Producers Award and the Sioux City Downtown Rotary Club Key Way Award. She has been recognized by the Business Record as a Woman of Influence and by the Siouxland Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame.

Durham was inducted in Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international honor society in the field of economics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing and Management from Missouri Southern State University. She married her high school sweetheart, Joel, and moved to Sioux City in 1994. They have two children and five grandsons, who are their pride and joy. In her free time, Durham enjoys gardening and doting on her grandsons.