March 2, 2016 Program: Ignite Sparks
Karen Melby, Senior Planner, City of Sparks, Ronele Dotson, RAD Strategies and Karen Craig, Creative Cities will provide an overview of the Ignite Sparks campaign.
Karen Melby: Karen Lapidakis Melby has over 35 years of experience as a professional planner; the last 14 years have been with her current employer, the City of Sparks, Nevada. After receiving her Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Pittsburgh, she worked as a planner in Pennsylvania, Arizona, California; and in Nevada: Douglas County, Carson City, and Reno. Prior to working for the City of Sparks, she worked as a planning consultant for 15 years on projects in Nevada, Arizona and California. Her experience includes master planning, population studies, environmental assessments for federal agencies, zoning code writing and project manager for the U.S. EPA Brownfield Grant.
Ronele Dotson: Ronele M. Dotson is a Sparks native, born and raised. With more than holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno and received her certification as an Accredited Public Relations Professional in 2002 from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). With more than 24 years of communications experience, founded her own highly successful firm in 2002. Currently Ronele serves on the National Public Relations Society of America Board of Directors and is newly elected to the Nevada Women’s Fund Board.
Karen Craig: Karen Craig has been honored as the Civic Leader of the Year by the Reno/Sparks Chamber of Commerce, featured in the New Yorker’s “Talk of the Town,” and been called one of Nevada’s 20 Most Influential Leaders to Watch in the 21st Century. Craig’s leadership in economic development is evidenced across the country from Brooklyn/NY, to Telluride/Colorado, and Reno/Nevada.