Krista L. Schneider, RLA, AICP, Just Communities AP, LEED Green Associate

Krista is a strategic planner and Ph.D. candidate in Architecture at Penn State University with more than 20 years of experience advancing equitable economic development, community revitalization, and cross-sector partnerships. Working at the intersection of planning, design, and economic development, she brings a systems-oriented perspective to both practice and research. Her current scholarship explores how race, place, and networked politics shape the equitable development of urban innovation districts.

For nearly a decade Krista served as the Executive Director of the Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress where she led the revitalization of the city's commercial district during its transition to a majority Hispanic community. Currently she works full time as a PennTAP Technical advisor at Penn State University advancing state and federal economic development, innovation, and industry decarbonization initiatives.