Nikki has strong roots in Hampton Roads and has a wealth of knowledge about our region’s economy. Prior to joining the HRPDC, she served as a Research Associate at the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy at Old Dominion University. Additionally, she worked as an adjunct instructor in the Economics Department. During her tenure at the Dragas Center, she contributed to the annual State of the Region and State of the Commonwealth reports. Her previous chapters include a Decade in Review of the Virginia economy, the economic recovery of Virginia’s metropolitan areas after the pandemic, and Cash Bail reform in Hampton Roads. Nikki has worked as an external consultant on planning projects such as the 2021 GO Virginia Region 5 Growth and Diversification Plan. She has also produced economic impact reports for both government and non-profit clients. Most recently, she estimated the economic impact of The Fort Monroe Authority on the Hampton Roads economy. Apart from conducting her own research, Nikki was responsible for data collection, analysis, and visualizations for various research projects at the Dragas Center. Nikki has also informed the public on economic conditions in the region, appearing in the Virginian Pilot, Virginia Business, WAVY-TV, Daily Press, and the WY-Daily. Nikki holds a Master of Arts degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration degree in Economics from Old Dominion University.