As a land use developer of significant data center projects across the globe, Diode Ventures has long recognized the importance of strengthening the communities where they work. Through infrastructure development, workforce enhancements, strategic partnerships and financial investments, Diode has helped countless communities  reap the benefits of data center development.

To further strengthen that stance, Diode brought on Charissa Huntzinger as Community Relations Lead in the Summer of 2025. In this role, Huntzinger will lead community engagement initiatives across Diode’s portfolio, strengthening partnerships and fostering trust in the communities where Diode operates. Her framework for community engagement ensures Diode’s projects are more than just infrastructure and instead viewed as long-term neighbors and contributors to their communities.

“Community engagement is at the foundation of everything we do at Diode,” said Rachel Attebery, Diode Chief Operating Officer. “Charissa’s experience and passion for authentic, personal engagement make her the perfect fit to help us develop thoughtful engagement to ensure the people most directly impacted are informing our decisions around land use, environmental concerns, economic opportunity and quality of life.”

Huntzinger joins Diode Ventures with extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and community development in both the civic and data center sectors, bringing a deep understanding of the intersection between infrastructure, people and place.

In her roles at AWS and within the Texas Legislative landscape, Charissa built engagement strategies that relied on direct coordination with local officials, service agencies and community stakeholders—using their input to develop outreach plans, campaign strategy and policy proposals tied to major infrastructure and human services initiatives.

“As the industry continues to evolve, we’re starting to recognize the real benefits of the work companies like Diode does to responsibly connect people and possibility,” said Huntzinger. “Diode’s vision to lay the groundwork for innovative infrastructure that propels communities and advances prosperity perfectly aligns with my belief that successful projects are centered around the people to whom they benefit. I look forward to strengthening that foundation of trust as Diode continues to grow.”