Chris Fair
President & CEO
About Us
The trusted name in city intelligence.
Since 2016, we’ve realized the power and potential of today’s urban economies through data, insight, and guidance.
We’re a team of consultants, researchers, destination experts, and more. Most of all, we’re proud partners to cities, regions, governments, and companies who want to build better futures and more prosperous places.
Iconic and up-and-coming places alike trust us with their toughest questions. We work hard to deliver intelligence that reveals opportunity and equips them to act with confidence—now and into the future.
In addition, our Best Cities Reports are the most culturally impactful ranking of urban destinations today, cited by mayors, governors, media, and more. Released annually, these reports leverage our Proprietary Place Power™ methodology, among the most robust and comprehensive city benchmarks today.
OUR TEAM
Your team of leading city intelligence experts.
Every place has a unique story and opportunity. Our job is to help define and articulate what those are in a way that will resonate both locally and around the world.
I help the world’s best cities and destinations find their purpose, express their promise and activate their magic.
Jeremie Feinblatt
Vice President, Strategy
My ultimate goal is to make our cities and regions stronger, more resilient, and more equitable.
Steven Pedigo
Vice President, Economic Development
I want to be able to say that I poured my heart, talent, and craft into making people, places, and experiences better than before.
Ekeme Afia
Research Analyst
Behind every great place is a story—I use data to uncover patterns and insights that make those stories meaningful, measurable, and inspiring.
Brandon McComas
Research Director
The most coveted places create identity and purpose. I help Resonance empower citizens to define and share the stories of the places they call home.
Tom Gierasimczuk
Vice President, Communication
Partners to Visionary Places
Chris Fair
President & CEO
Every place has a unique story and opportunity. Our job is to help define and articulate what those are in a way that will resonate both locally and around the world.
As Resonance’s President & CEO, Chris leads a global team in destination placemaking, branding, and marketing. Proficient in trend analysis, visioning, and city planning, he created the World’s Best Cities rankings in 2016. A respected speaker on tourism, real estate, and urban development, he has also chaired the Urban Land Institute’s Travel Experience & Trends Council and teaches Placemaking at New York University.
As Resonance’s President & CEO, Chris leads a global team in destination placemaking, branding, and marketing. Proficient in trend analysis, visioning, and city planning, he created the World’s Best Cities rankings in 2016. A respected speaker on tourism, real estate, and urban development, he has also chaired the Urban Land Institute’s Travel Experience & Trends Council and teaches Placemaking at New York University.
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Jeremie Feinblatt
Vice President, Strategy
I help the world’s best cities and destinations find their purpose, express their promise and activate their magic.
Jeremie is a global expert in destination strategy and branding with over 20 years of agency and institutional experience in strategy, consulting, and entrepreneurial roles. As the VP, Strategy of Best Cities and Resonance, Jeremie launched and spearheaded WRLDCTY, our global forum for urban innovation, and currently leads our destination strategy practice around the world.
Jeremie is a global expert in destination strategy and branding with over 20 years of agency and institutional experience in strategy, consulting, and entrepreneurial roles. As the VP, Strategy of Best Cities and Resonance, Jeremie launched and spearheaded WRLDCTY, our global forum for urban innovation, and currently leads our destination strategy practice around the world.
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Steven Pedigo
Vice President, Economic Development
My ultimate goal is to make our cities and regions stronger, more resilient, and more equitable.
As Vice President of Economic Development at Resonance, Steven leads all Best Cities “State of the City” work for our clients. Steven is an authority in economic development research and strategy, as well as marketing and place branding. His expertise has extended to providing counsel to a wide array of entities, including cities, universities, real estate developers, non-profit organizations, Fortune 500 companies, and prominent media establishments across the global landscape.
As Vice President of Economic Development at Resonance, Steven leads all Best Cities “State of the City” work for our clients. Steven is an authority in economic development research and strategy, as well as marketing and place branding. His expertise has extended to providing counsel to a wide array of entities, including cities, universities, real estate developers, non-profit organizations, Fortune 500 companies, and prominent media establishments across the global landscape.
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Ekeme Afia
Research Analyst
I want to be able to say that I poured my heart, talent, and craft into making people, places, and experiences better than before.
Driven by her affection for data and fervor for storytelling, Ekeme has cultivated years of experience in deciphering intricate data to extract insights that shape strategic trajectories, both within the private and public sectors. Her expertise centers on market research and economic development.
Driven by her affection for data and fervor for storytelling, Ekeme has cultivated years of experience in deciphering intricate data to extract insights that shape strategic trajectories, both within the private and public sectors. Her expertise centers on market research and economic development.
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Brandon McComas
Research Director
Behind every great place is a story—I use data to uncover patterns and insights that make those stories meaningful, measurable, and inspiring.
Brandon brings to Resonance a decade of experience in data analysis, economic research and project management. His expertise in macroeconomics and statistical analysis has helped organizations bring insight and storytelling to their data. For Resonance, Brandon will supervise data generation and analysis for our destination clients, and ensure accuracy and interpret findings for our Best Cities reports on places around the world. Brandon will help our clients wring every ounce of meaning from their numbers.
Brandon brings to Resonance a decade of experience in data analysis, economic research and project management. His expertise in macroeconomics and statistical analysis has helped organizations bring insight and storytelling to their data. For Resonance, Brandon will supervise data generation and analysis for our destination clients, and ensure accuracy and interpret findings for our Best Cities reports on places around the world. Brandon will help our clients wring every ounce of meaning from their numbers.
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Tom Gierasimczuk
Vice President, Communication
The most coveted places create identity and purpose. I help Resonance empower citizens to define and share the stories of the places they call home.
As Vice President, Best Cities, Tom has overseen the production and promotion of the Best Cities rankings since 2016. Under his leadership, the rankings and reports have become the world’s most trusted and widely cited benchmark of urban performance and perception. Tom also leads the sales and marketing of the Best Cities program, working with communities, cities and regions to help them benchmark their Place Power score and stand out from competitors. Tom is an award-winning journalist and marketer who has worked with media and companies ranging from the New York Times to Vice to Microsoft to WestJet Airlines.
As Vice President, Best Cities, Tom has overseen the production and promotion of the Best Cities rankings since 2016. Under his leadership, the rankings and reports have become the world’s most trusted and widely cited benchmark of urban performance and perception. Tom also leads the sales and marketing of the Best Cities program, working with communities, cities and regions to help them benchmark their Place Power score and stand out from competitors. Tom is an award-winning journalist and marketer who has worked with media and companies ranging from the New York Times to Vice to Microsoft to WestJet Airlines.
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