Steve Wray

Steve has extensive experience connecting the public, private and non-profit sectors with analysis and strategy development, and is a creative leader, skilled at conceiving and managing complicated research, campaign, and strategy initiatives. He is a national and internationally recognized expert and speaker where he excels at translating complicated issues and concepts to diverse audiences.

Prior to joining Carnegie Mellon and the Block Center, Mr. Wray was a senior vice president and principal at Econsult Solutions, Inc. (ESI) from 2017 to 2023. In this role, he focused on the development and implementation of programs and projects that support ESI’s vision and short- and long-term plans. In particular, Wray was the founding partner for ESI’s Center for the Future of Cities, the firm’s thought leadership effort bringing together work and expertise on smart cities, innovation, mobility, and economic development.

Mr. Wray was executive director of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia from 2006 through 2017. In addition to managing the strategy and operations for the $1.6 million civic leadership organization, he led the development of the ground-breaking World Class Greater Philadelphia initiative, engaging regional leaders in scenario planning and strategy teams to build a long-term agenda and projects for economic growth and opportunity for the tri-state region. He was one of the founding partners of Pre-K for PA, a statewide coalition focused on increasing access to high-quality pre-kindergarten education and created the Metropolitan Caucus to convene the county elected officials of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

From 2008 to 2017, Mr. Wray also served as managing director of the statewide Pennsylvania Economy League Inc., where he was responsible for oversight of the activities and finances for the three Economy League offices in Philadelphia, Wilkes-Barre, and Pittsburgh.

Mr. Wray was the deputy director and director of research from 1995 to 2006 for the Economy League in Philadelphia. He led numerous major initiatives, including analyses of the region’s healthcare, arts, and higher education industries; strategic analysis of Penn’s West Philadelphia economic development strategy; a feasibility study of Philadelphia’s potential to host the Olympics; and numerous economic impact and regional development projects. He also created and managed IssuesPA, a first-of-its-kind political communications campaign that was recognized both in the state and nationally as a cutting-edge political education effort.

Mr. Wray served as policy director for PA Lt. Governor and Acting Governor Mark Singel from 1992-1995, and as an investment research associate for the real estate firm Jones Lang Wootton from 1989-1991.