The Innovation District is a public-private partnership focused on increasing economic vibrancy and innovative problem solving in the Tampa Bay region. Located south of downtown St. Petersburg, the Innovation District was established in 2016 and has over fifty member organizations. While many of these entities are within a one-mile radius and have the benefit of proximity, others are engaged from throughout the region and nation. The Innovation District focuses on the target industries of marine science, life science, data and technology, and creative art and design, as well as the foundational areas of fostering entrepreneurship and promoting STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) education.
Alison manages the District’s portfolio of collaborative projects including the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub, a coworking facility for the maritime technology and national security sectors; the Ocean Team, a premier consortium of marine science and related entities in the Southeast; Smart City demonstrations, a series of pilot projects in conjunction with the City and University of South Florida; and the St. Petersburg Science Festival, an annual exploration of science and technology for youth.
Alison is originally from St. Petersburg. She received a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Administration from Florida State University, and a Master of Business Administration from American University in Washington D.C. Prior to joining the Innovation District, she was a technology consultant based in Washington D.C. working with the Department of Defense