The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation has announced that Natalie Vowell will assume the new Vice President of Business Development position for the Santa Clarita Valley.
This past October, Ondré Seltzer, who had served as the Interim President and CEO since July 2024, was unanimously selected by the Board of Directors’ hiring committee to take on the role permanently. This decision followed a thorough and competitive search process, which was immediately succeeded by a similar search for a candidate to fill Seltzer’s previous Vice President role.
Vowell is a dedicated leader with a distinguished background in activism, public service, and community engagement. With extensive experience in governance, policy advocacy and organizational leadership, she brings a strategic, people-first approach to fostering economic growth and community resilience.
Before joining the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation, Vowell served as a two-term senior Board Member of the St. Louis City Board of Education, including terms as Vice President and Secretary. During her tenure, she played a critical role in policy development, legislative affairs and community relations, championing initiatives that promoted transparency and created vocational and economic opportunities for students and residents.
Natalie also held leadership positions in nonprofit organizations, notably as the Executive Director of a Bentonville, AR-based nonprofit, where she promoted corporate and community support for workforce accessibility. Furthermore, she served as a Commissioner for the St. Louis Land Reutilization Authority, which supervises the St. Louis Development Corporation’s efforts to redevelop vacant properties, aiming to revitalize neighborhoods and stimulate economic investment. The LRA is responsible for managing St. Louis city’s land bank, which consists of over 12,000 city-owned parcels. It is the first and oldest land bank in the country.
Vowell studied computer science and music theory at the University of Arkansas, where she made history as the university’s youngest and first female computer lab manager. In 2010, Vowell moved to St. Louis, continuing her dedication to technology education as the Development Director and a board member for the North St. Louis nonprofit WITS Inc. There, she rebuilt unwanted electronics into computers for students and schools and led workshops teaching low-income families how to assemble their own computers from recycled parts. She has provided over 1,000 free computers for families in need. She remains an advocate for amplifying value-added diversification in STEAM industries and fostering economic opportunities through innovation and education.
With a passion for sustainable development and economic empowerment, Vowell founded Project Raise The Roof in St. Louis in 2013, a nonprofit focused on preventing homelessness, promoting homeownership, and strengthening local economies. This project assisted over 80 marginalized families in stopping the seizure of owner-occupied homes at city Sheriff’s auctions, contributing to housing on the tax rolls, generating school funding, growing generational wealth, and preventing property vacancy.
Vowell’s expertise encompasses various disciplines, such as policy analysis, business development, state and local government relations and strategic planning. She obtained Advanced and Master Certifications from the Missouri School Boards’ Association and served on MSBA’s Executive Committee.
With extensive knowledge in leadership, development, and community-guided initiatives, Vowell is dedicated to driving meaningful progress and strategic growth to positively contribute to the quality of life for all residents in the Santa Clarita Valley. Natalie Vowell is a mom and musician delighted to make Valencia her new home.
The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation is actively seeking a dynamic and results-driven individual for Vice President of Business Development to join the team and spearhead strategic initiatives that foster economic growth and innovation in the region.
After completion of a nationwide search, the Board of Directors for the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation announced Wednesday the promotion of current vice president of Workforce & Economic Development, Dr. Jey Wagner, to the role of president and CEO, as successor to Holly Schroeder.
The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation announced earlier this month that Jey Wagner stepped down from his role as president and CEO effective July 8, 2024.
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The regular meeting of the William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Wednesday, March 19, beginning with a closed session at 6:15 p.m., followed by an open session at 7 p.m.
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce for a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting at Beyond Harmony Medical Spa & Luxury Aesthetics, Wednesday, March 26 at 4 p.m.
The Small Business Development Center and city of Santa Clarita will host two Enhancing Your Digital Footprint series webinars, noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays, March 19 and 26.
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, has introduced a legislation package which includes the Victim and Witness Protection Act (AB 535), Small Business Retail Theft Grants (AB 949), Police Pension Tax Exemption (AB 814) and protecting funding for crime victims (VOCA Funding Act) in the state budget.
On Wednesday, April 2 6-8:30 p.m., Serata Italiana, the renowned Italian language and culture club, will host an exclusive event at Total Wine & More featuring real estate expert Natalie Blancardi and a virtual introduction to Italian attorney Antonello Pierro.
The city of Santa Clarita Film Office has released the list of eight productions filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, March 17 to Saturday, March 22.
The track teams of The Master's University maintained their strong start to the 2025 outdoor season at the Ross and Sharon Irwin Classic on Saturday. March 15 in San Diego. Five standards were added and 11 top-10 marks in school history were achieved.
The Master's University men's basketball team's season ended Saturday night, March 15 as the Southern Oregon Raiders defeated the Mustangs 76-71 in The MacArthur Center.
Old Town Newhall has earned its title as Santa Clarita’s Premier Arts and Entertainment District and has also become well-known as a hub for prime dining and shopping.
The Master's University women's basketball team's season came to an end with its first round loss in the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship Tournament on Saturday, March 15.
Braden Van Groningen collected 24 kills as The Master's University men's volleyball team came back to defeat the OUAZ Spirit 23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-13 Saturday afternoon, March 15 in The MacArthur Center.
After the January wildfires, the county began a review to assess our evacuation policies and emergency alert systems. The state has also commissioned a review of our preparedness efforts, immediate response to the fires and the recovery time frame of the incident.
Island Pacific Santa Clarita is gearing up for a celebration of National Lumpia Day with a lumpia-eating contest on Saturday, March 15, from 3-6:30 p.m.
After a successful pilot program in the Saugus Union School District, School Day Café has expanded the use of a new, eco-friendly serving tray option across all Santa Clarita Valley elementary schools.
In support of “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life,” the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency is developing a Water Use Efficiency Strategic Plan to establish a comprehensive water conservation strategy.
The Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer invites the community to join the annual "Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer" to help raise awareness and support local families affected by childhood cancer.
The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society has announced that the St. Francis Dam Tour scheduled for Saturday, March 15 has been postponed until Saturday, April 26.
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The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation has announced that Natalie Vowell will assume the new Vice President of Business Development position for the Santa Clarita Valley. 
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
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