Karissa Raskin

Karissa Raskin is the CEO of Listen First Project, the backbone organization for the bridging divides movement that supports a Coalition of 500+ partner organizations dedicated to bridging people together across differences to build trust, respect, belonging social cohesion in our communities and country. Karissa manages several collaborative initiatives on behalf of teams of bridging movement leaders co-creating programs, tools, campaigns and projects aimed to achieve our collective mission of bridging divides. She also serves as a leading voice for the movement, lifting up the work of other partner organizations whenever possible, creating opportunities for network expansion and amplification that will benefit partners as well as the movement at large. 

Karissa graduated from the University of Connecticut and earned her Masters degree from the University of Florida. With a background in community-based social marketing research, community development and systems change, Karissa worked for the University of Florida and the City of Gainesville, FL leading several coalitions and partnerships focused on public health, food systems, environmental sustainability, and economic development. She specializes in bringing together diverse stakeholders—local residents, nonprofits, academics, faith leaders, business partners, government agencies, etc.—to co-create innovative solutions that can facilitate systems change. Her work is grounded in principles of mutual benefit, reciprocity, and lasting impact. Karissa lives in Orange Park, FL (just outside of Jacksonville) with her husband and two children. She also spends much time in Connecticut visiting her parents and her 7 siblings who are starting families of their own.