EDUCATION
Cornell University, Master of Regional Planning
Environments & Health, Neighborhood Planning & Land Use, Community Dispute Resolution, Spatial/Urban Design, Inferential Statistics for Planning and Policy, Methods of Planning AnalysisGrinnell College, B.A. Liberal Arts, Sociology Major
Community & Environmental Sociology, Methods of Empirical Investigation
EXPERIENCE
Community & Housing Planning
- Collaboratively led post-Katrina New Orleans multi-parish planning process; led team of students in housing conditions assessment; wrote section of award-winning plan resulting from our research. The plan was adopted by the City of New Orleans Planning Commission.
- Analyzed affordable housing project proposals; organized selection process; collaborated interdepartmentally to get selected projects through the funding and development process.
- Updated and revised affordable housing ordinance; worked with consultant to analyze housing and economic data; wrote summary report, policy considerations and staff recommendations.
- Collaboratively designed and modeled mixed-use housing project based on site visits and city criteria; city-appointed committee used student ideas to inform selection of final project.
- Created real estate feasibility study and development plan for mixed-use site with Cornell Program in Real Estate team.
- Restored previously abandoned housing-based social services program: quintupled enrollment; doubled staff; exceeded federal standards; fostered resources for workshops, events and referrals.
- Coordinated volunteers, local agency resources, funding and support to bring nutrition education class series to low-income Napa residents; obtained further funding due to the program’s success.
- Wrote successful federal grant applications for multiple housing programs; set up systems to monitor data; reported on outcomes; evaluated program success; received further grants as a result.
- Researched policies throughout California and drafted How To Create and Implement Healthy General Plans, a guide to using land use planning to support healthy, walkable communities.
- Drafted sections of Economic Development and Redevelopment: A toolkit for building healthy, vibrant communities for a healthy planning advocacy organization.
- Analyzed draft Napa County General Plan and revised introduction, partly based on public meeting input, to better incorporate sustainability principles.
- Researched and published Comprehensive Planning for the Napa Food System to assess strengths and challenges in feeding local residents and growing food locally. Interviewed key locals in agriculture, planning and health services; analyzed demographic and food business information for spatial and time trends; provided process, policy and program recommendations in a readable report made public and presented to County Board of Supervisors, Chamber of Commerce, local radio programs, and other organizations.
- Produced draft Oak Woodlands Management Plan; used GIS to map threats.
- Researched policies and programs and provided technical assistance to clients on: healthy food retail incentives in food deserts; defensible space; smart growth requirements in public investments.
- Researched and provided recommendations on implementing street tree ordinance.
- Conducted local research for feasibility study of a farmer’s market to serve WIC clients and other needy families with fresh produce.
- Worked with local food advocates to create a countywide forum addressing local production, distribution and healthy, equitable access to food; successful, well-attended forum led to the formation of a Board of Supervisors-appointed local food policy council; vice-chaired council.
- Educated agencies and committees throughout the community about program opportunities; formed partnerships to improve services, share resources.
- Wrote and presented staff reports and resolutions to the City Council/Housing Authority Board.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
City of Napa Housing Authority Housing Specialist Napa, CA September 2009 - Current Planning for Healthy Places Research Associate Oakland, CA June – August 2009 County of Napa Planning Department Planning Intern Napa, CA June – August 2007 City of Grinnell City Management Intern Grinnell, IA January – May 2004 Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods District Coordination Intern Seattle, WA June – August 2001
PUBLICATIONS
Comprehensive Planning for the Napa Food System
Master's Thesis, Cornell University
How To Create and Implement Healthy General Plans
ChangeLab Solutions/Planning for Healthy Places
Economic Development and Redevelopment: A toolkit for building healthy, vibrant communities
ChangeLab Solutions/Planning for Healthy Places
A People's Plan for Overcoming the Hurricane Katrina Blues
Upstate NY APA Award, adopted by New Orleans City Council
AFFILIATIONS