Nicola Szibbo has an extensive background in design and regional planning, with experience in transportation, urban design, and sustainable development. She holds a Ph.D. in Design from the University of California, Berkeley, and degrees from RWTH Aachen University and The University of British Columbia. Szibbo has worked in a range of positions in both the public and private sectors, serving as the Principal Engineer and Program Manager of Active Transportation at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and as a lecturer at the University of Hawaii. She has also held roles in planning and development at the City and County of Honolulu, the State of Hawaii Office of Planning, and the Port of San Francisco. Szibbo's research has focused on topics such as mobility, walkability, and green infrastructure. She has been active in professional associations such as the American Planning Association and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals.