People say that “it is who you know” that matters in terms of getting ahead in life, but this misrepresents the true connection between relationships and economic advancement. Building the right number and type of relationships is a powerful tool for economic development and fostering thriving communities in the places we live. Trent Engbers is an experienced college educator and nonprofit consultant living in Evansville. Engbers, who holds a Ph.D. in public affairs from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, has taught more than 35 different courses in his 15 years of college teaching. His research on leadership, economic development and social capital has been published widely in journals, including Social Science Quarterly, Public Administration Review and the Journal of Leadership Education. A husband, father of four children and former Peace Corps volunteer in China from 2005-2007, Engbers actively serves on three local nonprofit boards.