Alana Morro
About Alana Morro
Alana Morro serves as the Director of Event Strategy and Programming at the Urban Institute, where she has worked since 2022. With extensive experience in event management and programming, she has significantly increased the number of events hosted by the organization and leads a team of professionals in enhancing operational efficiency.
Work at Urban Institute
Alana Morro serves as the Director of Event Strategy and Programming at the Urban Institute, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she transitioned the organization’s event operations to a modern multi-room conference center, which improved operational efficiency and managed the complexity of increased event demands. Under her leadership, the number of events hosted by the Urban Institute grew from 50 to over 120 annually. She also focuses on developing long-term strategies to enhance community and philanthropic engagement through the use of the institute's event space.
Previous Experience
Before her current role, Alana Morro worked at the Urban Institute as a Senior Manager for Events and Special Programs from 2017 to 2022. She also held positions at the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) as Research and Proposals Manager and Salesforce Administrator from 2014 to 2015, and as Research and Proposals Coordinator from 2011 to 2013. Additionally, she worked at Smithsonian Enterprises as Program Manager for Smithsonian Travel from 2015 to 2017 and at InterMedia as a Research and Business Development Intern in 2011.
Education and Expertise
Alana Morro earned her Master’s degree from The George Washington University, where she studied History, Development Economics, and Modern Asia from 2008 to 2010. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Elon University, where she focused on History, Art History, and Southeast Asian Studies from 2004 to 2008. Her educational background supports her expertise in event strategy and programming, particularly in managing complex events and fostering community engagement.
Leadership and Team Development
In her role at the Urban Institute, Alana Morro leads and mentors a team of five professionals in event planning and programming. She emphasizes their growth in operations management and program execution, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances team performance. Her leadership approach aims to develop the skills and capabilities of her team members, contributing to the overall success of the institute's event initiatives.