Kristin Cahayla-Hoffman, Vice President of Business Development & Attraction at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC), was named Economic Developer of the Year by the Industrial Asset Management Council. 
The award recognizes professionals for mentoring; upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity; giving back to their industry; making the world better; and being a stalwart ambassador for the council.
Cahayla-Hoffman accepted the award at IAMC’s Spring Forum in Little Rock, Arkansas, on April 21.
“This means so much to me because it comes from you, my peers and friends,” she said, thanking Susan Reber for introducing her to IAMC when they worked together in corporate real estate at Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
IAMC is a leading industrial and manufacturing real estate association, connecting corporate real estate executives, site selectors, economic developers, and service providers across the U.S. and internationally. Cahayla-Hoffman was selected to be a member of IAMC’s Board of Directors last year.
Cahayla-Hoffman spent 12 years working in corporate real estate for Air Products before pivoting to economic development and joining LVEDC in 2022.
“I was inspired by the pride and passion that the economic developers in the room had for their communities. So much so that it changed the trajectory of my own career,” she said. “At the end of the day, this work is about people and the relationships you make … I’m grateful for every chance I’ve had to give some of that back.”
Last year’s winner, Dave Quinn, Community/Economic Development Manager at the Fairview Economic Development Corporation in Texas, presented the award.
He noted the Lehigh Valley was named the No. 1 mid-sized market for economic development by Site Selection magazine, and cited Cahayla-Hoffman’s role as part of the LVEDC team that led the effort to land the Lehigh Valley’s largest economic investment ever - Eli Lilly and Company’s $3.5 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing campus planned in Upper Macungie Township.
“She's the kind of economic developer that you trust immediately and a leader who you want working on your behalf. She's the kind of person who makes an organization stronger just by showing up,” Quinn said. “She's the kind of person who understands success isn’t measured in deals and projects, it’s measured in people and impact.”
Next year, IAMC will be coming to the Lehigh Valley for the first time. The IAMC Fall Forum will be held Sept. 25-29, 2027, at Wind Creek Bethlehem. Up to 500 influential real estate decision-makers including national site selectors and corporate real estate leaders are expected to attend, presenting a significant opportunity to showcase Lehigh Valley’s strengths to the professionals who help companies determine where to expand and invest.
(Photo by Marco Calderon Photography)