Wendy Dant Chesser

Political Party: Democrat

District: House District 71

Sworn In: June 4, 2024

Wendy Dant Chesser is a state representative for Indiana House District 71, representing communities in Southern Indiana including Jeffersonville, Clarksville, and portions of New Albany on the Ohio River. A native of Jeffersonville, she has been deeply involved in community development and economic growth throughout her career. She currently resides in Jeffersonville with her daughter and partner Eric.

Before entering the statehouse, Chesser spent over a decade as President and CEO of One Southern Indiana, a regional chamber of commerce and economic development organization serving Clark and Floyd counties. In this role, she oversaw a 1,000-member chamber and facilitated economic expansion that resulted in nearly 10,000 new jobs and business growth across the region.

Her work has earned significant recognition. The Indianapolis Business Journal named her one of the "Indiana 250" in both 2022 and 2023 for being among the state's most influential business leaders. She was also named one of North America's Top 50 Economic Developers in 2015 and received the Indiana Economic Development Association's "Economic Development Professional of the Next Half-Century" award in 2018.

Education

Chesser graduated from Indiana University Southeast with a Bachelor of Science in business management. In 2010, she earned her Certified Economic Developer credentials from the International Economic Development Council.

Political Experience

Before her 2024 election to the state house, Chesser served in various economic development roles, including positions with the Indiana Department of Commerce and as Executive Director of the Indiana Rural Development Council during the O'Bannon/Kernan administration beginning in 1997. She also spent eight years in Michigan as president of Cornerstone Alliance, a regional economic development organization similar to One Southern Indiana.

Currently, she serves on the Indiana House committees for Commerce, Small Business, and Economic Development; Financial Institutions; Insurance; and Roads and Transportation. She also serves as Legislative Committee Chair and Past Chair for the Indiana Economic Development Association.