Carrie Pipinich came to MCEDD as a RARE (Resource Assistance for Rural Environments) AmeriCorps participant in 2011 and joined the MCEDD staff immediately following. In 2021, she was promoted to the role of Deputy Director of Economic Development. Her work at MCEDD currently comprises serving as the lead staff for the Wasco County Economic Development Commission and Sherman County Economic Development, in addition to working with communities and businesses throughout the region to support improved broadband access and utilization through the Columbia Gorge Broadband Consortium. As the Deputy Director of Economic Development, she is responsible for oversight of the Project Management team at MCEDD and for strategic direction in relation to implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. Carrie received her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies with a focus on Political Science from Barnard College and her Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University. Carrie grew up in Seattle and loves exploring the Gorge and beyond in her free time.