Karen Abrams

Karen Abrams is an experienced urban planner and educator currently serving as Adjunct Faculty at Carnegie Mellon University, teaching "Planning and Public Policy for the Future of Urbanism." As Deputy Director of The Chisholm Legacy Project, Karen focuses on Black frontline climate justice leadership. Previously, as Director of the Department of City Planning for the City of Pittsburgh, Karen played a crucial role in urban development. Other roles include Program Officer at The Heinz Endowments and Diversity and Community Affairs Manager for the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh. Karen holds a Loeb Fellowship from Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a Master of Science in Sustainability Studies from Slippery Rock University, complemented by a Bachelor of Arts in African-American/Black Studies from the University of Virginia.