Sallie Hemenway
Sallie Hemenway
Economic Development
Finance Advisor
Education
University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Business Administration- Marketing
Recognition
Fannie Mae Fellow, Harvard University, State and Local Government Executive’s Program
MEDFA Richard A. King Award (2013)
MEDC Economic Developer of the Year award (2016)
Governor’s Award for Quality and Productivity (1999)
Professional Certification
Certified Economic and Community Development Professional, International Economic Development Council (CEcD)
Organizations
Missouri Economic Development Finance Association, Past Board Member
Council of State Community Development Agencies, Past Board Member
Delta Regional Authority, Past Governor’s Alternate
HUD/OMB National Outcome Measurement System for HOME, CDBG, ESG and HOPWA Programs, Team Member
Missouri Economic Development Council and Missouri Community Development Society, Member
About
Sallie Hemenway specializes in guiding communities, businesses, and organizations through financial and policy challenges, offering strategic solutions to drive economic and social impact. As an Economic Advisor for Nexus Group, she brings an in-depth understanding of economic development tools, funding mechanisms, and the intricacies of program implementation—expertise that is uniquely deep for a Missouri lobbying firm. Her hands-on knowledge strengthens Nexus’ ability to integrate legislative strategy with practical economic guidance, ensuring clients receive comprehensive support from policy advocacy to project execution.
Before joining Nexus Group in 2019, Sallie spent more than 25 years at the Missouri Department of Economic Development, including serving as Director of the Division of Business and Community Services. She oversaw tax incentives, grants, and financial assistance initiatives, collaborating with municipalities, state agencies, and private-sector stakeholders to drive long-term financial growth across Missouri.
In her current role, Sallie leverages her knowledge in economic incentives, infrastructure investment, and public-private partnerships to help clients secure funding and maximize opportunities for sustainable growth. Her ability to align financial resources with each project’s unique needs ensures organizations can effectively navigate economic development initiatives for lasting success.
Sallie lives on a beef cattle farm in western Missouri.
FAQs
How does your experience with the Missouri Department of Economic Development benefit Nexus Group’s clients?
My time at the Department of Economic Development reinforced a key lesson: no two projects are exactly alike. While many initiatives rely on similar financial tools—such as state tax credits, loans, pass-through programs, and grants—each project comes with unique challenges and opportunities. I leverage these tools effectively, researching both the financing side and the project itself to align funding strategies with an organization’s needs. My goal is to provide Nexus Group’s clients with strategic, effective economic development support to help them achieve their objectives as efficiently as possible.
What is your experience with disaster recovery, and how does it help in your work with Nexus Group?
I was a Flood Recovery Coordinator for the Missouri Department of Economic Development after the 1993 flooding of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, which devastated much of the Midwest. I helped communities rebuild by restoring infrastructure, getting people back to work, and addressing housing needs. During my career with DED, I represented the department in several disaster recovery efforts, including the Joplin tornado. I collaborated with local governments, businesses, and state and federal agencies to secure and administer essential recovery funds. Through this work, I received first-hand experience coordinating multi-agency efforts, navigating complex funding programs, and leveraging recovery initiatives into long-term economic growth. Those skills apply to non-disaster recovery economic development work. Once you can get past the initial devastation, it allows the opportunity to put things together in a way the market demands now, and that the community wants now. This work prepared me because I think understanding and having an appreciation for the process and the inputs that come from all directions is so important.
Are you a lobbyist?
I am not a lobbyist—I am an economic development expert who brings specialized knowledge of funding mechanisms, incentives, and program implementation. My role is to provide hands-on guidance, helping clients effectively navigate the financial and policy intricacies of economic development. I compliment Nexus’ government affairs work by bridging the gap between policy strategy and real-world economic solutions.