About

Profile

Public policy professional focused on community development, public service, and corporate social responsibility.

Strengths include operations management, relationship building, adaptability across disciplines and industries, program management, data analysis & reporting, and presentation design.  

Background includes project management, research design, community outreach, marketing strategy, and business development. 

 
 

Leadership

Urban Manufacturing Alliance (2020-Present): Provide thought-leadership on building sustainable and inclusive manufacturing economies, facilitate introductions to grow community, business, and government participation in UMA, and attend gatherings and conferences to form alliances as a member of the Board of Directors.

Millennium High School Alumni Association (2021-2022): Strengthen the relationship between Millennium High School and its alumni through increased programmatic work, capacity building, and outreach as a member of the Board of Directors. Created the Career Pathways program to be launched Fall 2021.

Volunteer Work

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program (2019): Certified as a IRS tax preparer to provide free tax help to low and moderate income individuals and families earning $55,000 or less at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) VITA site.

Upstart Co-Lab (2018): Research assistant for the report, Hiding in Plain Sight: Impact Investing in the Creative Economy. Researched, categorized, and wrote descriptions for over 100 funds representing $60 million AUM that have been active in the creative economy. 

Social Impact Exchange Conference on Scaling Impact (2017): Ran mics and took notes for workshop and panel discussions about how to collaboratively fund and implement scaling initiatives that lead to systems transformation in education, health, and economic mobility. 

The Impact Lab, World Economic Forum (2016): Selected as a volunteer to assist Young Global Leaders refine and scale their social innovation initiatives and provided presentation feedback for their pitch competition during the 3-day intensive workshop.

Open House New York (2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018): Site manager for OHNY weekend, a two day architecture and urban design event to educate and inspire discussions in design, planning, and preservation.

 

Guest Speaker

The New School (2019): Presented at the Centennial Collaboratory Symposium roundtable, Creating an Inclusive Economy: Pathways for Impact Entrepreneurs, to discuss the creation and future development of Urban Made Project.

The New School (2019): Spoke on the alumni panel discussion representing the Public and Urban Policy program to 60+ attendees and facilitate a group workshop of 8 students during the Public Policy & International Affairs Weekend Conference.

Fashion Institute of Technology (2015): Spoke to 14 students on need for public and political advocacy to sustain the manufacturing industry.

The New School (2015): Presented to 16 students about the sustainability of urban manufacturing with a focus on land use and skilled labor.

Skills

Microsoft: Word, PowerPoint, Excel

Apple: Pages, Keynote, Numbers

Google: Docs, Slides, Sheets

Data Analysis: Argus, SPSS, GIS, CartoB

Design: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop 

Web Design: Wordpress, Squarespace

Social Media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

 
 

Publications

Urban Manufacturing Alliance (2021): Authored a thought piece describing how faith-based organizations are emerging partners in the manufacturing sector to help individuals with barriers to employment gain employment and become self-sufficient

Float (2015): Invited as a contributor to research and write about New York City’s architecture and culture for mobile app.

 

Education

Milano School of Policy, Management, and Environment, The New School,   May 2018
Master of Science in Public and Urban Policy 

Eugene Lang College, The New School,   May 2014
Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies

 

Consulting Projects

Milano Urban Policy Lab Course and Milano Public and Urban Policy Capstone

+ Manhattan Chamber of Commerce

Surveyed New York City’s small business landscape to map out the range of services offered, identify gaps in services, and develop programs the Chamber can implement to help small businesses achieve growth. A database of 250 services and a report detailing research findings and recommendations was presented to the Manager of Business Outreach and President. Received the Public and Urban Policy Department’s award for best analytical report.

+ NYC Department of Health and mental Hygiene (DOHMH)

Developed policy recommendations to help the agency reach its goal of increasing procurement with minority and women owned enterprises based on interviews with DOHMH staff, examination of department spend, research on best practices, and knowledge of governmental procurement policies.

+ New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)

Proposed three strategies to increase local procurement among higher education institutions in New York City by researching initiatives in other cities, conducting interviews with universities and industry peers, and mapping out the local supplier landscape.


Experience

Citi, New York City, September 2018-Present
Vice President, CRA Regulatory Group in Global Public Affairs (2021-Present)
Assistant Vice President, CRA Regulatory Group in Global Public Affairs (2018-2020)

The CRA Regulatory Group oversees Citi’s community development performance in accordance with Citi’s public policy and corporate social responsibility goals to empower low-income communities in 30+ markets across the U.S. Annually this consists of: $6 billion in affordable housing financing, $55 million in contributions and grants to nonprofits, and 730 employee volunteer activities.

TruFund Financial Services, New York City, January 2018-August 2018
Impact Evaluation Intern

Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) serving small businesses in New York, Alabama, and Louisiana by providing technical assistance and affordable capital. TruFund prioritizes M/WBEs and entrepreneurs in low-income communities to foster economic development and support job creation within underserved communities. Reported to Executive Vice President and Managing Director, New York Market. 

+ Impact Evaluation & Research

  • Defined key performance metrics based on program objectives for five technical assistance and loan programs by researching industry best practices around metrics, economic benchmarks, and reporting periods
  • Conducted an analysis of TruFund’s loan portfolio to determine whether the organization is meeting its mission in serving minority entrepreneurs in economically distressed communities as a certified CDFI by the U.S. Department of the Treasury

+ Communications & Organization Strategy

  • Developed a resource guide outlining best practices for impact evaluation and recommended strategies TruFund could adopt to improve their data collection, reporting, and tracking processes based on staff time, technology capabilities, and funds available. The guide is being used to develop a new customized system that will streamline all of TruFund’s client programs
  • Created a PowerPoint for the annual board meeting to communicate TruFund’s strategy for more rigorous impact measurement and emphasize the need to invest in new system applications to secure additional funding from foundations and public agencies

+ Program Development

  • Assisted the Business Services and Program Development Manager in developing a virtual small business training program by researching and recommending e-learning platforms that are cost-effective, selecting course content, and creating an outreach plan to encourage enrollment

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), New York City,   October 2016- August 2017 
Finance Intern

National Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) that provides financial and technical assistance to community-based organizations, public agencies, and private entities focused on revitalizing communities and increasing economic opportunity. Supported the Vice President & Treasurer, Loan Portfolio Manager, and CFO. 

+ Data Analysis & Portfolio Monitoring

  • Identified outliers within and ensured reliability of 16 years of data for 2,500 affordable housing loans. Produced a report on the portfolio performance for the finance, lending, and legal departments by identifying trends and conducting projections
  • Prepared quarterly and annual funder reports for banks and foundations consisting of project descriptions and funded amounts
  • Computed quarterly interest accrual on outstanding loans for portfolio monitoring
  • Assisted in data collection and analysis for Standard & Poor’s reporting, resulting in LISC receiving an ‘AA’ credit rating and becoming one of the only CDFIs in the country with a public rating
  • Performed a lease analysis of LISC’s 31 national office locations to provide cost-saving recommendations
  • Attended bi-monthly credit committee meetings to learn about LISC’s credit approval process for community development projects

+ Research, Report Writing, & Presentation Design

  • Authored and researched a report on the Community Reinvestment Act regulations and examination procedures to assist the Treasurer in negotiations with bank lenders
  • Revised project outcome statements for LISC’s marketing and communications to conform with industry standards
  • Designed PowerPoints for industry conferences attended by over 1,600 practitioners and internal organization-wide events
Bond Presentation Preview (Public Version)

Bond Presentation Preview (Public Version)

Community Reinvestment Act Report

Save the Garment Center, New York City,   May 2014- August 2016
Communications Manager

Community organization that supports the growth of the local design and manufacturing industry through strategic partnerships and outreach initiatives to highlight its continuous importance in the city’s economy. Hired after completing an internship, August 2013 - May 2014. 

+ Community Outreach & Marketing

  • Represented the organization during industry events, conferences, and meetings to establish relationships with advocacy groups, community organizations, higher education institutions, and small businesses
  • Collaborated with external partners to prepare and copyedit marketing collateral including one-sheets, press releases, and newsletters

+ Organization Strategy & Project Coordination

  • Led cross-functional team to incorporate a 501c3 under Save the Garment Center by collecting and verifying financial and legal documentation and coordinating among the Directors, attorneys, and the accountant
  • Assisted in developing budget projections, marketing strategies, and timelines for future programs to analyze feasibility and duration
  • Managed fundraising collaborations by organizing event logistics and coordinating with staff and external partners

Jimena Companies, New York City,   March 2016- August 2016
Consultant

Start-up real estate development and investment firm specializing in mixed-use and commercial properties.

+ Property Investment Research & Marketing Collateral Design

  • Developed concept and pitch deck for Soho storefront property by identifying target consumers, researching residential and commercial data,and setting project timeline to present to building managers
  • Designed and copy wrote development proposals for investors by compiling property highlights and researching neighborhood demographic trends. Completed four clean, well-researched packages for properties in Long Island and Williamsburg
  • Updated rent roll reports by reviewing lease agreements to determine occupancy duration, base rent, and additional tenant property expenses

+ Business Development

  • Edited business plan to define short term and long term company goals in marketing strategy and organization structure
  • Assisted in building company team by writing job descriptions for Marketing Associate and Acquisitions Coordinator and screening candidates • Provided feedback for website design and content to develop company brand and messaging

The Fabric Shows, New York City,   August 2014- January 2016
Marketing Strategist

Trade show featuring 70+ exhibitors and full-day seminars in New York City, San Francisco, Miami, and Dallas with 1,200+ attendees.      

+ Event Management

  • Assisted in managing face-paced trade show floor and seminars with over 1,800 attendees to ensure smooth work flow and client satisfaction
  • Resolved technical difficulties for seminars and enforced seminar schedule utilizing time management skills
  • Produced post-event analysis to identify improvements on marketing plans and on-site efficiency
  • Trained event staff on registration and trade show procedures

+ Marketing Strategy

  • Implemented digital marketing strategy, increasing followers on Facebook by 65%, Twitter by 46%, and Instagram from 0 to 1,100
  • Supported Director in outreach initiatives including target marketing through emails, direct mail, and phone calls to encourage registration
  • Collaborated with exhibitors, seminar speakers, and industry networks across the U.S. to develop cross promotional marketing strategies

Young and Able, New York City,   November 2015
Marketing Consultant

Young & Able's 2nd annual holiday pop-up shop featuring 30 women owned small businesses.

+ Market Research & Strategy

  • Doubled store traffic during the 4 hour opening weekend event
  • Created marketing plan and determined appropriate online marketing content
  • Conducted target media outreach to increase store traffic and brand awareness
  • Developed social media campaign to promote featured designers

+ Copy Writing

  • Copywrote press releases and newsletters to publicize store products and opening weekend event

Skyscraper Museum, New York City,   February 2012- March 2014
Research Intern

Museum that produces bi-yearly exhibitions and educational programming on New York City’s architectural heritage by examining tall buildings as objects of design, products of technology, sites of construction, investments in real estate, and places of work and residence.

+ Database Research & Writing

  • Compiled and verified research on New York City's architecture and development for accuracy using private and public databases
  • Copywrote and copyedit museum labels for five exhibitions

+ Project Management

  • Managed gift shop and gallery when needed by greeting visitors and answering questions about the museum and current exhibit
  • Tracked requests, assemblage, and delivery of Tower Tubes, a teaching tool kit for educators
  • Updated the museum membership database and assisted in monthly membership renewals through emails and phone calls
Urban Fabric exhibit

Urban Fabric exhibit

SKY HIGH & the Logic of Luxury exhibit

SKY HIGH & the Logic of Luxury exhibit

The Architect's Newspaper, New York City,   March 2013- July 2013
Marketing Intern

National publication that delivers news and inside reports to a niche community of architects, designers, engineers, landscape architects, lighting designers, interior designers, academics, and developers interested in the built urban environment.

+ Market Research & Conference Outreach

  • Researched, contacted, and followedup with potential attendees in the real estate, architecture, and engineering industries through email, phone calls, and in-person visits to increase conference registration
  • Created social media campaigns to 200,000+ followers on Facebook and 69,000+ on Twitter to promote sponsors and presenters
  • Participated in marketing meetings to plan conference production, assign individual tasks, and discuss promotional material Event Management:

+ Event Management

  • Managed on-site conference production by coordinating with marketing team from set up and registration to break down

 

Initiatives

Urban Made Project: Founder of online platform to educate and inspire discussions on the need for local manufacturing and show the challenges of sustaining a vibrant manufacturing base. The mission of the platform is to change the narrative of manufacturing through storytelling, focusing on the themes of urban development, entrepreneurship, revitalization, and community.

Assembled a team of photographers, editors, and digital designers. Responsible for connecting with local factories and community networks, interviewing, writing, and curating factory profiles for the site, and building social media strategy. Collaborations include the Fashion Institute of Technology, CitySource and the Urban Manufacturing Alliance for a thought-piece. Featured in The Emerging Designer. Presented at The New School’s Collaboratory Centennial Symposium on Impact Entrepreneurship.

Urban Made Project tells the stories of the people working in New York’ City’s garment industry. We feature the businesses leading the Made in USA movement, from M&S Schmalberg, a 100-year-old family-owned flower manufacturer to CJS Sales, a jew…

Urban Made Project tells the stories of the people working in New York’ City’s garment industry. We feature the businesses leading the Made in USA movement, from M&S Schmalberg, a 100-year-old family-owned flower manufacturer to CJS Sales, a jewelry supplier who buys vintage parts from fire sales.