Dr. Kristina Testa-Buzzee is a seasoned leader in workforce development with over 20 years of experience advancing economic mobility through education, training, and cross-sector collaboration. Currently serving as Grants Performance Manager at the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy, she brings deep expertise in postsecondary success, labor market alignment, and program accountability. Kristina has held leadership roles in both higher education and state government, including as Chief Regional Workforce Development Officer for Connecticut State Community College and Dean of Workforce Development at Norwalk Community College. Her commitment to equitable opportunity and systems-level change aligns powerfully with Elevate+’s mission to create transformative, paid internship experiences for underserved students.