Research associate 
drp2@wilder.org

Douglas Petty conducts research for the Twin Cities Compass project to track and inspire action on the quality of life in our region. He came to Wilder after managing The Great North Alliance, a regional civic leadership organization of senior executives that Wilder has absorbed. He is interested in regional governance and problem-solving, economic development, and workforce development.

Douglas has provided management, research, and evaluation services to nonprofits, associations, governments, and businesses with a focus on economic, community, and workforce development in regional and international settings.

Douglas holds a Masters of Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota with a focus on regional development and program evaluation, and a B.A. from the University of Illinois in Economics. He has sat on the Greater Metropolitan Area Foreign Trade Zone Board, the Minnesota Freight Advisory Committee, and the Twin Cities International Citizens Award Selection Committee.

Recent projects

• Evaluation of the Minnesota Jobs Opportunity Building Zone (JOBZ) program.
• Research and publication of a series of “Opportunity Forecast” reports, assessing the Twin Cities’ regional capacity to innovate and compete globally.
• Survey of 80 regional leaders on their perceptions of regional vision and strategy for competitiveness.
• Establishment of an Ecuadorian dairy feed industry for dairy self-sufficiency.
• Consulting and assistance to the planning efforts of area Workforce Investment Boards,.
• Evaluation of the international market potential for curbside recycled commodities.