The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) Board of Directors announced nationally recognized economic leader Christine Mackay as the new President & CEO of the organization, effective Oct. 13, 2025.
Mackay, who has served as the City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development Director since August 2014, enters the role with nearly 30 years of experience in economic development, which coincides with her 30 years of commercial real estate experience.
“Christine is a powerhouse in the region with meaningful relationships across the market and a deep understanding of our dynamic industry base and GPEC priorities,” said GPEC Board Chair and Arizona Diamondbacks President & CEO Derrick Hall. “The board is confident that her experience and leadership will reinforce GPEC’s strengths in positioning Greater Phoenix as a global leader for economic growth.”
“Christine’s steadfast partnership and leadership in catalytic projects to the market has elevated Greater Phoenix to its current era of unmatched growth,” said GPEC’s Interim CEO Thomas Maynard. “Her leadership will ensure GPEC continues building on its strong foundation while advancing opportunities that strengthen businesses and communities alike.”
“GPEC has been at the forefront of driving high-tech growth, expanding opportunity and ensuring Greater Phoenix is known as a place where businesses and people succeed,” Mackay said. “Throughout my career in Phoenix and Chandler, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this region’s strengths and partnerships are. I’m excited to build on that momentum and continue to elevate Greater Phoenix’s standing as one of the world’s premier markets.”
At the City of Phoenix, Mackay led a department of more than 70 full-time staff members and a budget of over $70 million that drove comprehensive economic
development through business attraction, expansion and retention, community development, international relations, research and marketing. Mackay’s oversight also included city entities such as the Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Board, Sister Cities, PHX Arena and Phoenix Bioscience Core.
During her tenure, she led the creation of more than $190 billion in capital investment and over 100,000 new jobs in the City of Phoenix, contributing to an increase in average wages of created jobs from $30,000 in 2014 to over $84,000 in 2024. Prior to Phoenix, she served as Economic Development Director for the City of Chandler for 16 years.
Over her career in economic development, Mackay has been integral in transformative projects including TSMC Arizona, which has invested $165 billion into Phoenix and spearheaded Greater Phoenix’s growth as a semiconductor hub, and Park Central, which has been revitalized as a mixed-use center built around healthcare and bioscience headquarters and education.
Mackay has received numerous awards and accolades, including USA TODAY’s Women of the Year recognition in 2025, the Arizona Association for Economic Development’s (AAED) William Lampkin Long-Term Excellence in Economic Development Award in 2024, a Top-50 Economic Developer in the Country award by Consultant Connect in 2021, and three honors as Economic Developer of the Year, Large Community by AAED.
GPEC’s Interim CEO Thomas Maynard, who has served in that capacity since the departure of previous President & CEO Chris Camacho, will return to his role as Senior Vice President of Business Development at GPEC upon Mackay’s start.
