The University of Kansas School of Business presents the Anderson Chandler Lecture Series featuring Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Toland.

Since being appointed by Governor Laura Kelly in January 2019, Secretary Toland has overseen sweeping changes within the state’s leading economic development agency. Under his leadership, the Department is developing a new economic development blueprint for the state, undertaking the first new strategic plan for growth since 1986. Toland has also aggressively worked to rebuild the Business and Community Development division of the Department of Commerce, filling positions that have remained vacant for several years and re-establishing the state’s presence in key domestic and international markets. He also led negotiations on behalf of Governor Kelly that resulted in the end of the incentives “Border War” that was waged between jurisdictions in metro KC for nearly a decade.

Prior to joining the team at Commerce, Secretary Toland was the first CEO of Thrive Allen County, a nonprofit coalition that works to improve quality of life and economic conditions in Allen County, Kansas. A seventh-generation Allen Countian, Toland led nationally recognized efforts toward improving healthcare access, healthy lifestyles and economic development in the small, rural Kansas county.

Prior to his return to his hometown, Toland worked as an appointee of Washington, D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams, holding key leadership positions in the D.C. economic development and planning offices. Toland holds a bachelor's in political science (’99) and a master's in public administration (’01) from KU and is a fourth-generation Jayhawk.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend University of Kansas sponsored events. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this event, please contact Kendyl Grender by Friday, Oct. 11, 2019, at kgrender@ku.edu or 785-864-7369.