Becky Donner

Civic Innovation, creative economy, placemaking

Becky Donner's work focuses on creating new models of physical space and community resources to strengthen social fabric and economic development - particularly in the creative economy.

Her experience spans placemaking, civic innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement, economic development, public-private partnerships, facilities management, privately owned public space, civic technology, and more. An expert on the creation and operation of civic innovation centers, she has consulted on projects across the US and the world.

Currently a freelance consultant specializing in civic innovation and creative placemaking, Becky is also Co-Founder of Run En Masse, a non-profit organization that works to level the playing field and support equal representation in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Becky was formerly a Principal at Hourglass Collaborative, a multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to building a creative and equitable world known for its strategic consulting services, Best of Boston-winning pop-up shops, and creative spaces and programs. Previously, Becky ran District Hall, a civic gathering space for innovators and entrepreneurs — the first building of its kind. As Director of the 12,000 sq ft not-for-profit facility, she oversaw core programs and operations including the free public workspace, over 1,000 events annually, and programming and resources for Boston’s innovation community.

Before her time at District Hall, she worked at Harvard Business School with faculty whose research focused on innovation, transparency, and technology. She served as a lead organizer of Code for Boston, a local brigade of the national not-for-profit civic technology organization Code for America for many years. Becky was also an inaugural member of the City of Somerville's innovation and economic development advisory council to the Mayor, the Innovation and Opportunity Lab.

Currently based in Boston, MA, she is a trained silversmith, a self-proclaimed "dog person", public art enthusiast, and a staunch advocate for Oxford commas.

Interested in collaborating with Becky? Contact her at the button below.