about
Designing Programs and Services for Public Goods and Spaces
People’s interactions and reactions to places, spaces, and systems make our cities human. With 12 years professional experience, I have built a career that harnesses design tools and creative thinking for urban planning, economic development, and health initiatives. I have always enjoyed building things from growing an organization from a start-up to developing a portfolio of projects and creating programming for city government.
Born in Manhattan and raised in Memphis, I am a Nuyorican gone South. In addition to English, I speak Spanish and Portuguese, and I grew up in a bicultural family, which has led me to draw human insights from varied contexts and environments. Exploring the complexities and diversity of our cities, my work expands existing economies and services to support city programming and placemaking projects. My understanding of city agencies and community organizations enables me to align the needs of many stakeholders.
I developed and currently direct the NYC Mural Arts Program within New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The program utilizes community mural making as a process to promote mental health awareness and break down stigmas associated with mental illness.
Prior to this position I was the Director of Research and Outreach for 3x3 Design, a firm that uses community centered design for urban planning outcomes, which I co-founded and grew in Brooklyn and New Delhi with my partners.
I have also led program development and research initiatives at UN-HABITAT, the City of Chicago, and El Ministerio de Education, Cultura y Deporte in Madrid. I co-founded and co-chair the first Arts and Culture Committee for the American Planning Association, NY Metro Chapter.
I have lectured at Columbia University, the School of Visual Art (SVA), Pratt University and Illinois Institute of Technology’s (IIT) School of Design. I was an Institute for Latin America Fellow (ILAS) and a William Kinne Post-Graduate Recipient for my work on social network analysis and new forms of stakeholder engagement tools in Rio de Janeiro. I hold a MS in Urban Planning from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and a BA with Honors in Anthropology from the University of Chicago.
