Dr. Darrene L. Hackler provides dynamic, innovative, evidence-based strategic and technical assistance and guidance to communities and their leaders who are seeking expert advice on how to integrate economic equity, sustainability, innovation and technological advantage into economic development strategies. She has extensive consulting experience in economic development and regional growth policy, examining the organic nature of cities and their internal strengths. She integrates feedback, designs and utilizes quantitative and qualitative assessment tools, and provides individualized policy guidance to her clients’ to help them increase competitiveness and capitalize on their strategic assets. Darrene has assisted local and regional government officials, as well as large and small economic development organizations with their grassroots efforts, strategic plans, incentives analysis and technical assistance. Darrene is adept at working with a variety of stakeholders, including universities, think tanks, foundations, governments and funding agencies, to understand the critical changes needed and models of success to foster the local economic development ecosystem.Darrene's recent work assesses federal relief and recovery funds (CARES, ARP, SSBCI) for small business, entrepreneurship, and workforce development, and she advises on strategies and programs to utilize funding lines to achieve equitable results. She is the author of Cities in the Technology Economy (ME Sharpe 2006) and multiple peer-reviewed journal articles. She is a consultant and serves as senior advisor to Smart Incentives and Business Development Advisors, focusing on incentive policy and use on the west coast. She was the former executive director of research development within the Office of Research at the University of California Davis. She previously served as vice president for research and programs at the International Economic Development Council and was a Senior Fellow at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.Dr. Hackler received her Ph.D. in political science and economics and M.A. in public policy from Claremont Graduate University in California, and a B.A. in political science and economics from College of Idaho.