Alison Barlow is the Executive Director of the St. Petersburg Innovation District. The District is a public-private partnership formed in 2016 and located across 560 acres south of downtown.  The mission of the District is to develop St. Petersburg into an environment that fosters job growth, economic development, and learning and inspiration by bringing innovative people and organizations together.  

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Alison works with District partners to forge new career opportunities, grow businesses and entrepreneurs, and increase investment particularly in the fields of healthcare, marine science, and data/technology. She leads several initiatives including the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub, the St. Pete Science Festival, and the regional Ocean Team.

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Alison grew up in St. Petersburg and graduated from Boca Ciega High School. She received a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Administration from Florida State University, and a Master of Business Administration from American University in Washington D.C.  

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For the first half of her career Alison was a technology and business consultant based in Washington D.C. supporting federal government clients. Upon her return to Florida and prior to joining the Innovation District, Alison was the operations manager and lead facilitator of Collaborative Labs at St. Petersburg College.

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Alison is a graduate of Leadership St. Petersburg, and on the boards of the St. Petersburg Leadership Alliance, University of South Florida (USF) Research Foundation, USF College of Business Entrepreneurship Advisory Board, Friends of Strays Animal Shelter, and others.