Christine Richards is a partner with the Denver based Smart Regions Initiative, a firm committed to fueling the U.S. smart regions movement by connecting and educating key stakeholders across a cross section of industries.

Her passion is to understand and educate key stakeholders about the significant changes happening in these areas. Within these research areas, Christine has published hundreds of reports and articles, and conducted numerous presentations for local as well as international audiences. She also has regularly worked with and advised some of the largest technology and utility companies in the United States about the impact of policy and technology on the energy industry.

The Smart Regions Initiative identifies the immense opportunities that exist to develop and redevelop viable U.S. communities if we’re willing to embrace and develop sustainable cultures—and the roles that digitization and clean technologies can play in them. Sustainable, cutting-edge communities will become more attractive places to live, work and play for everyone—including young folks. 

The visions of in Initiative include:

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• Developing connected and thriving U.S. regions that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.
  
• To bring the fuel and the fan to ignite the smart regions initiative…
  
• Bring together key stakeholders needed for success in the movement
  
• Provide ways for stakeholders to collaborate
  
• Gather and provide the information that stakeholders need
  
• Challenge assumptions about the movement
  
• Find ways around hurdles facing the success of the movement
  

Christine supports this professional experience with a master of city and regional planning from Cornell University, and a bachelor of science from Colorado State University.