In 2015, Jennifer Sanders cofounded the Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) a 501c3 public-private coalition dedicated to supporting Dallas’ smart cities strategy, and currently serves as its Executive Director. While at the DIA, she has collated a network of three dozen member organizations, 100 community partners, and has worked with over 20 departments within the City of Dallas. Its Smart Cities Living Lab is the fastest-to-market smart cities initiative in the country. The DIA’s current program focus is digital access and workforce pathways in under-connected communities. Since 2023, the DIA’s Connected Dallas Digital Ambassador Initiative has impacted more than 50,000 residents.
Recognizing that smart cities knows no boundaries, in 2020, she cofounded the North Texas Innovation Alliance, a regional consortium with more than 50 members dedicated to the mission of creating the most connected, smart and resilient region in the country. It is the largest such initiative in the U.S. Prior to these roles, she spent more than a decade in public affairs and change management consulting for clients in finance, energy, technology and economic development, among others.
She is actively involved with numerous civic organizations, serving on the boards of organizations including Better Block, Metrocrest, Internet for North Texas (I4NTX) Coalition, National Smart Coalitions Partnership, and Past President of Mayor’s Star Council (now Engage Dallas). She serves on Advisory Boards including the City Business Climate Alliance, Suicide & Crisis Center of North Texas, and the Southwestern Medical District Master Plan.
She has been recognized as the Innovation Advocate of the Year by D CEO; received the Texas Impact Enterprise Award; the UN Day Global Leadership Award, Tech Titans Technology Advocate of the Year, ATW Spark Award for Economic Empowerment, has been named to Dallas Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and Top Women in Technology, State Scoop’s Top Women in Technology, and Tech Week 100. She graduated from the University of Virginia.