PLACEMAKER | SCHOLAR | SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR

Krista is currently pursuing her PhD in Architecture at Penn State University. Her interests, which lie at the intersection of placemaking, economic development, social equity, and public scholarship, have been shaped by more than 20 years of experience as an educator and practitioner of the built environment. This work has spanned multiple roles, disciplines, and scales, and provides her with unique insights into the cultural processes and networked politics of place production. It also inspires her research agenda, which focuses on the planning and 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 as a PennTAP Technical advisor within Penn State's Office of Entrepreneurship and Commercialization.