Ross DeVol

Ross DeVol is chairman emeritus of the board of directors and distinguished fellow at Heartland Forward, where he leads efforts to accelerate economic growth and innovation across America’s heartland. Under his leadership, Heartland Forward received the 2025 National Venture Capital Association Impact Award for its work supporting entrepreneurship and regional development.

A nationally recognized economist and thought leader, DeVol has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist and Axios, and has authored op-eds in leading regional publications. He previously served as chief research officer at the Milken Institute, where he directed research on economic performance, capital access and health policy. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at Wharton Econometrics Forecasting Associates and CSX Transportation. DeVol also serves on the board of the Heartland Whole Health Institute and is a frequent keynote speaker on strategies to boost state and community economic growth.