Colleen Dougherty
Director of Regional Collaboration and Economic Development
Colleen Dougherty is a problem-solver — in her career, she tackles the challenges that face metro areas like Erie, studying the way issues impact these communities and actively seeking out ways to positively shape the futures of these areas.
Born and raised in Erie, Colleen attended Fairview High School before earning her BA in Philosophy, Law, and Politics from John Carroll University and her MA in German and European Studies from Georgetown University, where she now serves on the alumni board.
In her work as a research officer with the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University, Colleen dedicated her time to not only identifying challenges and opportunities in cities and metros, but also aims to apply solutions that will help foster sustainable development: "I am deeply passionate about leveraging innovative approaches to address the evolving needs of our communities," she said. "My work involved not just studying existing solutions, but actively shaping the future of urban development through deep, objective research on innovative financial instruments and inclusive financial strategies."
Colleen's passion for Erie inspires much of the work she does — after living in Washington, D.C. for four years, she moved back to Erie as a fully remote employee so she could continue her research and eventually apply it in ways that will directly benefit our own city. "Ensuring that Erie thrives in the face of evolving economic landscapes requires a commitment to both capturing proven solutions and pioneering new pathways for sustainable and inclusive economic development," she said, something that her research aims to achieve.
Colleen also leads the group "Perspectives for the Future, Respect, and Participation" as a non-resident fellow with Das Progressive Zentrum, a think tank of professionals based in Berlin. "Together, we delve into the complex issues impacting industrial heartlands across the transatlantic," she said. This work has afforded her the opportunity to create international connections and champion Erie at conferences and in spaces on the international stage.
In Erie, Colleen has delved right back into community involvement in the time she's been back — she is a member of the Transforming Industrial Heartlands Regional Initiative that is run out of the Jefferson Educational Society, as well as a member of the Erie Women's Fund and Emerging Erie Fund.
