Karen Thoreson is the President/Chief Operating Officer for the Alliance for Innovation, a national non-profit organization which promotes innovation and best practices for local governments. Prior to working for the Alliance, she was economic development director for the city of Glendale, Arizona. She also served as assistant city manager of Tucson, overseeing downtown revitalization, and as director of the community services department, which managed the city‘s affordable housing programs, human services, and neighborhood revitalization. Ms. Thoreson began her career in local government in Boulder, Colorado and has been a trainer and a speaker on public-private partnerships, community revitalization, innovation, and strategic planning. She served as national president for the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Organization from 1999 to 2001; and is currently active in local, state, and national groups. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Northern Colorado.