EVANSVILLE, Ind. (October 15, 2024) – The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashley Diekmann as the River Vision Advancement Director. In this role, Diekmann will lead the implementation of the Ohio River Vision Strategic Master Plan, a comprehensive initiative to create vibrant public space and drive new investment along fifty miles of Ohio Riverfront. She will assume her position on November 4, 2024. Diekmann currently serves as the Development Director of the United Way of Southwestern Indiana.
“Since the rollout of our River Vision plan in May 2024, we’ve been searching for a leader who can work each day to advance the plan’s objectives of creating a dynamic riverfront that enhances amenities, adds housing and commercial spaces, as well as parks and trails across our region,” said Josh Armstrong, Chief Economic Development Officer of E-REP. “Her proven leadership, coupled with her experience managing large-scale projects for both local and global organizations, makes her an ideal choice to lead this transformational initiative. We are confident she will drive progress on key projects like the schematic planning for Sherburne Park in Downtown Mount Vernon, in-depth planning and pre-construction engineering in Downtown Evansville, and conducting a study to address parking needs in Downtown Newburgh.”
In her new role, Diekmann will collaborate with local, state, and federal units of government; public, philanthropic, and commercial funders; architecture, engineering, and design firms; and residents and businesses throughout the Evansville region. The River Vision Plan, developed by global landscape and planning firm Sasaki with input from nearly 10,000 area residents, provides strategies to improve water quality, reduce flooding risks, and connect regional residents more strongly to the Ohio River and increase vibrancy and investment in regional downtowns.
“I am inspired by E-REP’s mission to create a vibrant, inclusive Evansville Region that empowers businesses and community leaders,” said Diekmann, a graduate of Indiana University. “I look forward to bringing the Ohio River Vision Strategic Master Plan to life and contributing to a more connected, equitable, and prosperous community.”
In addition to her work at the United Way of Southwest Indiana, Diekmann has a diverse background that includes managing large-scale, multifaceted projects for organizations like Adidas, where she led product strategy and development initiatives and honed her skills in aligning diverse stakeholder interests and managing complex budgets. Diekmann resides in Newburgh, Indiana with her three sons and their dog Packer, wher
