Karen Lightman

Carnegie Mellon University Metro 21: Smart Cities Institute

Karen is the Executive Director of Carnegie Mellon University’s Metro 21: Smart Cities Institute. Metro21 tackles some of the major metropolitan issues facing our country and the world, and Karen has worked successfully with government, business, academia and civic organizations, and is an active and engaged member of the Pittsburgh community.   . Formerly the Executive Director of MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG), Karen has 20+ years of expertise in promoting commercialization through connecting and collaborating across industry, academia and non-profit sectors. Recognized as a leader in the MEMS industry, Karen has helped build the technology and ancillary market into a $12B+ dollar industry. She is a passionate advocate and spokesperson for her field, and an internationally recognized keynote speaker and overall authority on the MEMS industry. Thanks to her breadth of experience, Karen holds strong management, business development, entrepreneurial and marketing skills. Karen has a BA from the University of Vermont (UVM) and a MS in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. Karen and her family reside in Pittsburgh, PA.