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Our team

Meet our team of researchers, practitioners, and field specialists who drive the day-to-day work of The Global Institute and execute its strategy

Julie Wagner

President and Co-Founder

Julie spearheads the strategic direction of GIID, which aims to position districts as crucial engines of their regional economies while solving highly complex global challenges. She has both designed, and actively implemented a triad of interconnected activities to advance the practice. This includes undertaking novel research on districts, orchestrating an impact-focused Global Network, and advancing strategic support of individual districts.

Pamela Puchalski

Vice President and Co-Founder

As Vice President and co-founder of the Global Institute on Innovation Districts (GIID), Pamela leads on strategy and partnerships to drive impact for the growing number of innovation geographies we engage with around the world.

Chad Shearer

Director of Research

Chad drives the analysis of the distinct research and development strengths of innovation districts and the role they play in broader innovation ecosystems.

Laura Biancuzzo

Senior Manager, Research and Strategic Communications

Laura is the Senior Manager for Research and Strategic Communications at The Global Institute, where she leads the design and delivery of applied research that advances understanding of how place shapes innovation within urban districts. She directs interdisciplinary projects that integrate qualitative and quantitative analysis, place-based and spatial assessment, and strategic narrative development to strengthen GIID’s research agenda and global visibility.

Igor Ozeran

Global Network Director

Igor is Global Network Director for The Global Institute, where his role is to shape and drive the success of the Global Network program, facilitating the program’s expansion and fostering a collaborative community of practitioners in 50 innovation districts across 14 countries.

Jonah Klein-Collins

Research Analyst

Jonah is a Research Analyst at The Global Institute, where his role is to analyze the distinct research and development strengths of innovation districts. His work uses spatial and statistical analyses to pinpoint innovation districts’ most prominent industries and areas of study, contextualize strengths within a district’s surrounding geographies, and characterize innovation ecosystems.

Anna Springer

Global Network Coordinator

Anna is Global Network Coordinator for The Global Institute, where she helps advance the Global Network program by supporting its operations, strengthening connections across the network, and contributing to its ongoing growth and development.

Katja Schmieding

Program Manager

As Program Manager at The Global Institute on Innovation Districts, Katja supports strategic initiatives, board engagement, and internal operations. She works closely with the President to strengthen systems, manage key partnerships, and to drive the delivery of GIID’s Blueprint for Impact.

Angie Franco

Communications Consultant

As Communications Consultant, Angie supports GIID’s communications strategy, managing its digital platforms, and ensuring strong visibility for The Global Institute initiatives and partnerships.

The values that inspire and drive our work

Independence

We pride ourselves on leading independent research and advanced practice. Findings and conclusions are exclusively based on data analysis led by The Global Institute.

Transparency

Unlike private firms, we seek to codify and communicate new insights and evidence to give cities, regions, and the districts within them, an even playing field.

Diversity

Women and minorities hold a limited number of positions in STEM fields that underpin advanced industries and most applied research. We’re seeking ways to change this balance.

Collegiality

We create a culture of fellowship and collaboration, where districts support each other—driving a new tier of highly-networked leaders.