shart@nul.org

Starla D. Hart, MPA, has worked to enhance the lives of people in Indianapolis for more than 17 years. For 16 Tech, she leads innovative work with Near West, Northwest, and surrounding neighborhoods to ensure that the economic benefits of 16 Tech extend to area  residents. She also oversees the 16 Tech Community Investment Fund, which invests in impactful neighborhood projects under the direction of a community advisory committee.

Before joining 16 Tech, Hart supported the Great Places 2020 initiatives as a program officer for Local Initiatives Support Corporation Indianapolis. Her focus was transforming strategic places in Marion County into dynamic urban villages.

Hart served as director of neighborhood partnerships at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Office of Community Engagement. The post led to serving as founding director of Source River West, a hub for entrepreneurs, offering place-based support for small businesses in the urban area.

Hart earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and certifications in non-profit management and American humanics from Indiana University. She completed her master’s degree in public administration from Baruch College in New York as part of the prestigious National Urban Fellows program.