Opportunity Austin: Working for the Austin Region

Speaker: Charisse Bodisch, SVP Economic Development with Opportunity Austin

As a 30+ year veteran in economic development, Charisse has worked in every aspect of the industry. As the SVP of Economic Development with Opportunity Austin, she leads the team dedicated to the recruitment of new corporate citizens and the expansion of the local industry base for the five-county Greater Austin, Texas Region. Opportunity Austin was ranked as one of the Top U.S. Economic Development Groups; receiving the Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development by Site Selection magazine in 2019 and 2020. Since Opportunity Austin’s formation in 2004, the organization has contributed to the overall prosperity of the Austin Region that has benefited from over 820 corporate relocations, about 1,500 expansion announcements, and over 440,000 new direct/indirect jobs created.

Prior to coming to the Austin Chamber/Opportunity Austin in 2006, she served as CEO/Executive Director of the Allen, TX Economic Development Corporation (AEDC). Under her leadership, the AEDC owned and developed industrial and office land and facilitated new development projects including industrial, office (Class A and value), urban retail mixed-use and specialty facilities. Her office was responsible for the recruitment, retention and expansion of a number of companies. While in Allen, Charisse was presented with the Spirit of Allen Award, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual. She was also recognized as one of Collin County’s 21 for the 21st Century. She has also held positions in McKinney, TX and Kilgore, TX. Charisse holds the designation of Certified Economic Developer, the highest trade designation for economic developers. She was named as one of 2016’s North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers by Consultant Connect. She serves on the Capital Area Economic Development District Board; as Secretary on the Central Texas Foreign Trade Zone Board; and as a member of TEDC (Texas Economic Development Council), IEDC (International Economic Development Council) and IAMC (International Asset Management Council).

Charisse and her husband Robert are active in a variety of other organizations and enjoy traveling in their spare time. Charisse treasures time spent with her nine grandchildren and is very proud of the accomplishments of her four stepsons.