As Senior Project Manager at IDM, Karla assists communities, economic development organizations, and other nonprofits with strategic planning at varying levels of focus including community or region-wide planning, organizational planning, and workforce planning.  She has additional responsibilities as assistant director for the Heartland Economic Development Course.  Karla has previous work experience in economic development; comprehensive, housing, hazard mitigation and transportation planning; entrepreneurship; and business consulting and financial training for childcare businesses.  Karla is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and holds a Master’s Degree in Community Development.  She is a member of Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI), the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and is a board member for the National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA), currently serving as 2nd Vice President.