Commerce Secretary Reflects on Economic Leadership and U.S. Competitiveness

By Kathryn Hamilton, CAE | June 9, 2025

Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo shared insights on economic policy, trade and American competitiveness in a candid conversation at NAIOP’s I.CON East last week in New Jersey, touching on both her personal journey and the broader challenges facing the U.S. economy.

Raimondo, who made history as the first female governor of Rhode Island, recounted her transition from private-sector success to public service. “My story is like so many Americans. My family came over from Italy and I focused on working hard and getting an education,” she said. “I was a lawyer and everything was going great, yet I just had this nagging call to service… I just felt like we could do better,” she said.