Technical Development Manager, STAR Community Index - Pacific Northwest

Karen joined ICLEI in October 2008 to work on the design and development of the STAR Community Index. Karen is a professional land use planner specializing in innovative methods and tools to engage the public and stakeholders in collaborative decision making.  She is particularly interested in the ways that learning networks, web technology, and resource centers can be used to disseminate ideas and advance best practices in community planning and sustainability. Karen has worked as a consultant for a number of organizations including the Seaside Institute and, for several years, has participated in the Seaside Pienza Institute — a peer exchange with European architects and developers involved in sustainable development.  She also worked for the Orton Family Foundation for eight years, initially as a consultant and then as Senior Project Director.  While at the Foundation, Karen worked with a variety of partners —government, NGO's, and developers—on planning projects in a number of communities across the country.  Karen received a master’s degree in Natural Resource Planning and a bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of Vermont.

Contact Information:
E-mail - karen.yacos@iclei.org
Phone - (802) 899-4130