ECD veteran joining UT System as Assistant Vice President for Research, Outreach and Economic Development
The University of Tennessee (UT) System announced yesterday that longtime economic development veteran Victoria Hirschberg has been named Assistant Vice President for Research, Outreach and Economic Development.
Currently Business Development Director for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD), Hirschberg’s new role will focus on creating and implementing innovation, community, and industry partnership initiatives for the UT System. Her first day will be August 15.
“Victoria is a rock star! I worked with her for several years when I served as Commissioner of ECD,” UT System President Randy Boyd said. “Tennessee has become an automotive manufacturing leader and within a few years it will be the number one state in the country for electric vehicle manufacturing. Victoria will be a key contributor in helping ensure UT can make a substantial impact in this effort.”
Based in Nashville, Hirschberg (pictured left) will serve as a liaison with local, regional, state and national level economic development organizations and government agencies, partner with campus offices of research and economic development to develop relationships, and lead initiatives and programs to increase interaction between UT and industry and community members.
Hirschberg joined ECD in 2012 as a Regional Business Consultant before being named Business Development Director in 2013. Over the past decade, she has driven complex multimillion-dollar investment strategies with global companies such as Nokian Tyres, Nissan, General Motors, and Ultium Cells.
“Over the last 10 years, Victoria was involved in nearly every one of the auto sector-related relocations to Tennessee. She has worked with auto executives around the world,” Boyd said. Now, Tennessee wants to be the leader in electric vehicle, energy storage and mobility research. Victoria is the perfect person to be coordinating those efforts.”
Hirschberg earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and Latin American studies from State University of New York at Plattsburgh, and a master’s degree in community and regional planning, and a master’s of arts in Latin American Studies from the University of New Mexico. She is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Tennessee NEXT.
