Sharon is a sustainability-focused urban planner and lecturer with a strong foundation in architecture, climate resilience, and communications. She brings expertise in translating research into actionable insights and in developing compelling visual narratives to convey analysis to a wide range of audiences. As an Adjunct Lecturer at the Columbia Climate School, she brings her hands-on knowledge of qualitative research and data analysis methods to guide capstone projects on sustainability topics such as clean energy siting, wetland protection, and building decarbonization. Through her work at the Regional Plan Association (RPA), she has researched and engaged stakeholder groups on state-wide climate adaptation planning, offshore wind energy, and buyouts, co-authoring several reports with the Energy and Environment Team. Her work in communications strategy for the Safe and Sound Cities program has equipped her with applied experience in using digital media outlets as tools for education and participatory planning, and in developing strategic approaches for successful, multicultural engagement.

At Karp Strategies, Sharon develops engagement strategies designed to engage diverse community voices and stakeholder groups, taking ideas to action through synthesis and effective communication. She conducts analyses of demographic, real estate, and retail corridor conditions and assesses the economic impact of new interventions, helping clients and communities understand their neighborhoods better and advocate for positive change. Through data-driven analyses and business engagement, Sharon supports supplier diversity and inclusive procurement efforts that directly connect minority businesses with economic opportunity.