Experience

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  Rise Light & Power

  • New York, New York, United States

  • Director of External Affairs

    • Mar 2024 - Present
    • New York, New York, United States

    Working on a project to decarbonize New York City's largest power plant. Learn more at https://renewableravenswood.com/

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  Private Family Office

  • New York, New York, United States

  • Portfolio Manager

    • May 2023 - Sep 2023
    • New York, New York, United States

    Helped a recently founded family philanthropy develop portfolio management and KPI tracking strategies.

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  New York City Economic Development Corporation

  • United States
  • Government Administration
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Executive Vice President & Senior Advisor to the President & CEO

    • Sep 2021 - May 2022

    Served on the 7-member executive team that sets vision, project priorities, financial plans, and HR policies for staff of 400+. Advised the President & CEO on project strategy, internal & external communications, and staffing plans. Served as a proxy for the President & CEO at internal & external meetings. Advised on initiative to embed racial equity principals into NYCEDC decision-making, contracting, and community engagement processes. Managed and advised leadership of the External Affairs division.

  • Executive Vice President, External Affairs

    • Nov 2020 - Sep 2021

    Led the Government & Community Relations, Press, and Marketing departments, overseeing HR decisions, budgets, and strategic planning for 30-person team. Created and implemented new communications planning process to break down siloes between the three external affairs departments and ensure a single, integrated strategy was in place for each of our projects.

  • Interim Chief of Staff

    • Apr 2020 - Nov 2020

    Pivoted from department head to agency Chief of Staff at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Served as a strategic advisor and special project manager as the agency re-focused our operations and resources toward emergency response. Led crisis communication strategy, amplifying public access to emergency services and information. Led 400 staff through the transition to remote work, managing all internal communications and created a new series of monthly online Town Hall meetings. Served as point person for an initiative to lobby the Federal government for additional city resources, working in close partnership with private sector leaders.

  • Senior Vice President, Government & Community Relations

    • Jul 2017 - Apr 2020

    Coached and managed 12 external affairs professionals as head of Government & Community Relations department. Oversaw growth of team from 7 to 12 staff members. Advised on companywide strategic planning and major policy and communications decisions. Represented NYCEDC President at Mayoral Town Hall meetings, NYC City Council Hearings, and briefings with senior City, State, and Federal elected officials and local business and community leaders. Developed and implemented an equity-centered community engagement policy on all NYCEDC projects.

  • Vice President & Deputy Director, Government & Community Relations

    • Jul 2014 - Jun 2017

    Managed team of 5 Borough Directors and oversaw elected official relations and community engagement for NYCEDC’s Citywide real estate, infrastructure, and area-wide rezoning projects. Negotiated with local elected officials on land use agreements and testified at City Council Land Use hearings. Assisted with transition briefings during Mayoral and NYCEDC Presidential leadership changes.

  • Assistant Vice President, Government & Community Relations

    • Apr 2013 - Jul 2014

    Served as primary agency liaison to City, State, and Federal elected officials and organizations in Brooklyn. Oversaw land use and other public approval processes for all NYCEDC projects and initiatives in Kings County. Developed and executed Citywide outreach strategies for ferry service and income mobility programs. Prepared and staffed NYCEDC President’s Office at meetings with elected officials and City Council hearings.

  • Senior Project Manager, Government & Community Relations

    • Jun 2012 - Apr 2013

    Managed NYCEDC’s three immigrant entrepreneurship initiatives, securing more than $250K in funding, overseeing a 40% increase in applications for Competition THRIVE, and managing program interns. Served as primary liaison to community organizations and elected officials in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island during periods of staff transition and following Superstorm Sandy.

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  NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service

  • Mentor- Fellowship for Emerging Leaders in Public Service

    • 2010 - 2013

    Selected for a rigorous bi-weekly leadership program at NYU Wagner’s Research Center for Leadership in Action to enhance leadership and management skills, career planning, and cross-sector networking. Served as an Alumna career mentor for the 2012 and 2013 classes of fellows.

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  New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection

  • United States
  • Government Administration
  • 300 - 400 Employee

  • Assistant Director of Special Projects, External Affairs

    • Jun 2011 - Jun 2012

    Drafted testimony, fact sheets, and other materials for City Council hearings. Presented on local business laws in English and Spanish to community and business groups throughout NYC. Managed special projects on behalf of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, including ensuring compliance with New York City plain language laws for government documents.

  • Special Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner, External Affairs

    • Jun 2009 - Jun 2011

    Translated public-facing documents to Spanish and managed the external translation vendor. Co-led a research study and co-authored a policy recommendation memo for new regulations to combat identity theft at internet cafes. Designed, negotiated contracts, and managed budget for public awareness campaign in NYC subways.

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  New York City Commission on Human Rights

  • Urban Fellow

    • 2008 - 2009

    Revised the curriculum for the Peer Mediation Program in NYC public high schools. Presented workshops on New York City Human Rights Laws to local community organizations and schools. Attended weekly seminars with high-level New York City officials as part of the NYC Urban Fellows Program.

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  Humanity in Action

  • Washington D.C., Berlin, Warsaw

  • Fellow

    • Jun 2007 - Jul 2007
    • Washington D.C., Berlin, Warsaw

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  Center for Peacebuilding

  • Sanski Most, Bosnia

  • Intern

    • Jul 2006 - Jul 2006
    • Sanski Most, Bosnia

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  Massachusetts State Senate

  • Boston, MA

  • Ward Fellow- Office of Senator Jarrett T. Barrios

    • May 2004 - Aug 2004
    • Boston, MA