Christina Crespi

Christina Crespi is the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Miami Downtown Development Authority (Miami DDA), where she leads initiatives that shape the economic future of Downtown Miami. She oversees a $21 million annual budget and works to support business growth, innovation, and quality of life for more than 115,000 residents, 250,000 daily workers, and millions of visitors each year.

With a background in public service and degrees in social work and social policy from Florida State University, Christina brings a people-centered approach to economic development. Under her leadership, the Miami DDA has expanded programs that support entrepreneurs, including a business incentive program that helped open more than 30 businesses this year and the Permit Clinic, a free resource that has assisted nearly 1,000 businesses.

She has also prioritized inclusive growth by expanding arts and cultural grants and growing the Downtown Enhancement Team, a workforce reentry program that employs more than 60 formerly homeless individuals.

Christina’s leadership has earned her several recognitions, including being named a 2026 Influential Business Woman by the South Florida Business Journal and a 2026 Outstanding Woman in Business and Economics honoree through the In the Company of Women Awards.

If you'd like, I can also make a much shorter version (3–4 lines) which is usually what festivals or conference websites prefer.