Drew Sunderland Appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer
Tysons, VA — The Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) today announced a leadership transition for the organization. After three years of dedicated service, Chief Executive Officer Katie Cristol will be departing TCA to pursue new professional opportunities.
During her tenure, Cristol guided the organization through a period of significant growth and organizational development, strengthening TCA’s role in advancing Tysons as Fairfax County’s economic engine and a vibrant mixed-use urban center. Under her leadership, TCA expanded placemaking initiatives, strengthened partnerships with the business community, and advanced destination marketing efforts that continue to elevate the Tysons experience for residents, workers, and visitors.
“We are grateful for Katie’s leadership and the strong foundation she leaves behind,” said David Schneider, Chair of the TCA Board of Directors. “Her work helped position TCA as a key convener of public and private partners working together to shape Tysons’ future.”
Building on that foundation, the Board has appointed Drew Sunderland, currently Vice President of Strategy and Research, to serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer, recognizing his leadership in shaping TCA’s strategic direction and strengthening the organization’s data-driven approach to decision-making.
“Tysons stands as one of the most important economic centers in the National Capital Region,” said Sunderland. “I’m honored to step into this role and work with our public and private sector partners to build on the district’s strong momentum and continue positioning Tysons as a vibrant, globally competitive urban center.”
Sunderland brings deep institutional knowledge and a long-standing commitment to Tysons’ growth. As the longest-serving team member across both the Tysons Community Alliance and its predecessor organization, the Tysons Partnership, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the district’s strategic direction and strengthening collaboration across the public and private sectors.
A recognized leader in strategy and research, Sunderland has been instrumental in establishing the analytical framework that guides TCA’s work. He led the development of the Tysons DataHub and the Tysons Quarterly Market Reports, which have become essential tools for understanding market performance, visitation trends, and investment activity across the district.
“Drew’s leadership and deep understanding of Tysons position him well to guide the organization forward,” said Schneider. “His work has helped establish
cutting-edge analytics as the foundation for how we identify opportunities and support the continued growth of Tysons.”
Looking ahead, TCA will continue working closely with Fairfax County, regional partners, and the business community to strengthen Tysons as a dynamic regional destination for business, innovation, and community through placemaking, destination marketing, and data-driven insights.
“We have great confidence in Drew’s leadership, strategic insight, and collaborative approach,” Schneider added. “Under his leadership, TCA will continue to build on a model where rigorous research, market intelligence, and performance data guide the organization’s efforts to strengthen Tysons’ competitiveness and attract continued investment.”
Tomorrow, TCA will convene public and private sector leaders at its Vision Tysons Development and Investment Summit to discuss market trends, investment opportunities, and the district’s long-term growth strategy.
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CONTACT:
Monique Blyther, Director of Communications, Branding & Engagement
monique@tysonsva.org