Dr. Maree Forbes Gaughan, who leads each project that of Community Economic Partners/National Travel Center
is engaged in, is CEO of the nationally recognized organizations dedicated to helping small cities and towns, and
rural communities thrive. Through her leadership, communities across the country have strengthened their
economies, enhanced their sense of place, and built sustainable futures rooted in their unique assets.
With a Doctorate in Planning, Master of Art and Architectural History and Historic Preservation, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and
an MBA, Maree brings a rare blend of academic insight and real-world experience to her work. Maree’s
professional journey began in architecture, where she spent 12 years developing a strong foundation in design
and the built environment, concentrated in historic preservation projects. Recruited right out of graduate school
by The World Bank, the Development Bank in Washington, D.C., provided the opportunity to learn economic
development firsthand. A career change to tourism decades ago, further expanded her expertise.
Today, she draws on that multidisciplinary background to guide communities through strategic planning, economic
development, community engagement, destination development, tourism, placemaking, and townscaping,
helping them turn visions into lasting impact. Even though Dr. Forbes Gaughan now has a comprehensive and
award-winning command of several fields, she has never wavered from the concept that strategies, actions, and
recommendations must be grounded in reality, and both able and appropriate to be implemented within the
unique fabric of any community.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fine Art, Summa Cum Laude, University of Wisconsin
Master of Arts, Art and Architectural History/Historic Preservation Summa Cum Laude, University of Wisconsin
MBA, Taft University
Doctor of Philosophy, Planning, The Union
Updated Expertise and Certificates
Development Economics, Columbia University
Narrative Economics, Yale University
Strategic Planning for Public and Non-Profit Organizations, Wiley
Sustainable Cities: Planning, Neighborhoods, and Transportation, Johns Hopkins University
Sustainable Cities and Communities, Lund University
Leading Sustainable Community Transformation, University of Colorado-Boulder
Public Policy, University of Michigan
Arts and Heritage Management, University of Bocconi
Management of Successful Arts and Cultural Organizations, University of Maryland
Sustainable Farming, University of Western Australia
US Food System, Johns Hopkins University
Overview of the US Healthcare Industry, Northeastern University
Introduction to American Law, University of Pennsylvania
Introduction to Non-Profit Law, University of Pennsylvania
Marketing in a Digital, University of Illinois
Sustainable Tourism, University of Copenhagen
Responses to Climate Change, University of Colorado-Boulder
Introduction to Environmental Law and Policy, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Memberships, Certifications, Recognition, Credentials
Professor of Destination Management and Marketing, Temple University Masters in Travel and Tourism
Certified Sustainable Tourism Professional
Member, International Economic Development Council
Lifetime Certified Professional Member: Buildings Owners and Managers Association International
Former Fellow: International Facility Management Association
Former Associate Member: American Institute of Architects
Former Member: Intelligent Buildings Institute
Former Professionally Certified Member: Construction Specifications Institute
Former Board Member: Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International
Certified Sustainable Tourism Professional: Global Sustainable Tourism Council
Former Federal Highway Administration Scenic Byway Expert Consultant
Certified Online Teaching Professional, Temple University
Adjunct Faculty, University of Tennessee, Aesthetics for Engineers
Chester County Pennsylvania Commissioners, Historic Preservation Award
Publications
Business Owners and Managers Certification Coursework, 5 Volumes, 1,500 pages
Masterspec Interiors, American Institute of Architects, 5 Volumes, 1,000 pages
Johnson Controls/Pan Am World Services Training Manual
Creating Customers: Marketing to Today’s Transforming Travelers, Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association
International
Travel. Tourism. Hospitality: Resources for the New Millennium, 404-page manual illustrating the past, present and
future of each industry segment
Tourism: Economic Development for Any Size Community, 490-page road map to develop tourism