Experience

Center for Community Progress

• United States
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President, Policy and Research

  • Oct 2022 - Present

• Director of Policy and Research

  • Apr 2019 - Oct 2022

  • Senior Staff member reporting to the President and CEO of this national nonprofit organization committed to fostering strong, equitable communities where vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties are transformed into assets for neighbors and neighborhoods.• Monitor and analyze federal and state policy and legislative developments related to community development and revitalization, with a particular focus on the prevention and reclamation of vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties; • Work with program staff to develop an organizational policy agenda and organizational positions on key policy issues related to property vacancy, abandonment, and deterioration; develop supporting materials, including issue briefs, fact sheets, talking points, blogs, op-eds, and other resources;• Work closely with program staff and other partners to track and analyze vacancy-related trends, assess the need for policy or legislative solutions at the federal or state level, and work with partners to identify or develop proposed solutions;• Build key strategic partnerships and relationships, including with Congressional and Executive offices, and national nonprofit partners, to support policy, outreach, education, and reform efforts at the federal level;• Identify opportunities for policy reforms in target states and work with state and local partners to build, inform, and/or sustain state-level coalitions around these reforms;• In collaboration with communications staff, organize and execute awareness-raising campaigns around key policies related to vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties;• In collaboration with other program staff, support a consortium of state policy advocates;• Ensure Community Progress’ advocacy and policy efforts are informed by research and best practices; and• Lead organizational efforts to ensure that all advocacy and policy work is grounded in sound research and data.



DC Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Supervisory Legislative and Public Affairs Officer

  • May 2018 - Jan 2019

  • Executive leadership team member reporting to the director of this complex agency of 400+ employees.• Director of the agency’s Legislative Affairs division, managing a team of attorneys to develop and implement legislation and regulations that further DCRA’s mission to serve and protect the health, safety and economic prosperity of those who live, visit and do business in the nation’s Capital. • Direct staff to design and implement operational changes and assess the agency fiscal impact required by new legislation or regulations. Collaborate across agency divisions, including Business & Professional Licensing, Zoning Administration, Permit Operations, Illegal Construction, Consumer Protection, Housing & Property Maintenance Inspections, Vacant Building Enforcement, the Surveyor and the General Counsel.• Chief liaison to the Council of the District of Columbia, the Executive Office of the Mayor, the Chief Financial Officer, the Office of the Attorney General and external stakeholders, including industry, trade associations, advocates and community groups. • Work directly with the Mayor’s Office of Policy and Legislative Affairs to strategize and prepare public hearing testimony on proposed legislation, and for budget and oversight hearings. • Counsel agency director on political strategy and potential legal and operational impact of pending legislation.



National Community Stabilization Trust

• United States
• Leasing Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Policy Associate

  • Feb 2016 - May 2018

  NCST works at the federal, state and local levels to develop and advance policies beneficial to communities harmed by distressed properties and blight. Responsible for legal and policy research, advocacy and communications strategies. Conducted analysis of legislation and regulations related to neighborhood stabilization, foreclosures, and other distressed real estate issues. Researched and drafted public policy materials, including white papers, policy summaries, issue briefs, fact sheets, op-eds, and other written products. Developed grant proposals to fund external outreach and educational activities. Represented NCST at conferences and external meetings with agencies including the FHFA, HUD, CFPB and Treasury. Participated in coalitions and developed relationships with nonprofits, for-profits, government agencies, and stakeholders.



Chasan Leyner & Lamparello, PC

• Attorney

  • Feb 2009 - Oct 2014

  Engaged in criminal and general civil litigation, including governmental, landlord-tenant, family, appellate, construction, complex business and commercial litigation, before the state and federal courts of New Jersey. Handled all stages of litigation, including development of legal claims, drafting pleadings, propounding and answering discovery, taking and defending depositions, extensive legal research and analysis, briefing and arguing pre-trial motions, including motions for summary judgment, plenary hearings, and direct and cross-examination of witnesses.Also worked directly with the chair of the firm's appellate department, briefing and arguing matters on appeal to the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division and briefing petitions to the New Jersey Supreme Court. Appellate work consisted largely of representing various government entities in appeals from civil litigation and administrative actions. Selected assignments at Chasan Leyner & Lamparello include:Tenant Advocate for the Township of North Bergen [2009-2014]: provided advice and advocacy on behalf of tenants seeking help in defending against unlawful evictions, enforcing their rights to safe, legal and habitable housing, and to be free from discrimination and retaliation. Engaged in public policy and legislative review, working with Township Attorney to analyze and revise the Township’s Rent Control Ordinance.Special Housing Prosecutor, Township of North Bergen [2009-2014]: prosecuted a weekly calendar of various housing and zoning violations, including illegal occupancy and cubicle housing infractions, property maintenance and code enforcement matters. Tried numerous cases and negotiated remediation and abatement settlements. Engaged in analysis of and proposed revisions to the Township’s zoning and illegal occupancy laws.



Obama-Biden for America [2008]

• Deputy Field Organizer (Volunteer)

  • Sep 2008 - Nov 2008

  After intensive, grass roots campaign training, relocated to Bucks Co., PA to volunteer full time in the main office in this important swing county. Coordinated canvassing teams, cut turf, assigned tasks and delegated responsibilities to thousands of campaign volunteers in the most critical period of the campaign, up to and including Election Day. After intensive, grass roots campaign training, relocated to Bucks Co., PA to volunteer full time in the main office in this important swing county. Coordinated canvassing teams, cut turf, assigned tasks and delegated responsibilities to thousands of campaign volunteers in the most critical period of the campaign, up to and including Election Day.



South Brooklyn Legal Services

• United States
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Summer Law Student Intern – Housing Law Unit

  • Jun 2007 - Aug 2007

  Jules and Jane Levy Fellowship – Inaugural RecipientWorked directly with the Deputy Director of the Housing Law Unit, representing low-income clients in all stages of eviction proceedings. Jules and Jane Levy Fellowship – Inaugural RecipientWorked directly with the Deputy Director of the Housing Law Unit, representing low-income clients in all stages of eviction proceedings.



Long Wharf Theatre

• United States
• Performing Arts
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Public Relations Manager

  • Jul 2004 - Apr 2005

  Acted as this award-winning institution’s spokesperson, responsible for elevating Long Wharf’s public profile as it launched a $30 million development campaign to fund the construction of a new facility in downtown New Haven. Managed a small staff of dedicated professionals and interns, supervising all of the institution’s public relations initiatives. Acted as this award-winning institution’s spokesperson, responsible for elevating Long Wharf’s public profile as it launched a $30 million development campaign to fund the construction of a new facility in downtown New Haven. Managed a small staff of dedicated professionals and interns, supervising all of the institution’s public relations initiatives.



Barlow · Hartman Public Relations

• Account Executive

  • Aug 2002 - Dec 2003

  Supervised publicity for multi-million dollar Broadway productions including the smash hit musical The Producers, Taboo, and Medea. Pitched, secured, and coordinated national television appearances and print coverage. Wrote press releases distributed to national entertainment media, counseled clients on media strategies, and supervised interviews with “The Today Show”, “Dateline NBC”, “Charlie Rose”, Vanity Fair, Vogue, The New Yorker, The New York Times. Supervised publicity for multi-million dollar Broadway productions including the smash hit musical The Producers, Taboo, and Medea. Pitched, secured, and coordinated national television appearances and print coverage. Wrote press releases distributed to national entertainment media, counseled clients on media strategies, and supervised interviews with “The Today Show”, “Dateline NBC”, “Charlie Rose”, Vanity Fair, Vogue, The New Yorker, The New York Times.



HEDDA GABLER

• Norway
• Performing Arts

• Broadway Assistant Director

  • Jun 2000 - Jan 2002

  Assisted Tony Award nominated director Nicholas Martin in all incarnations of this new adaptation by Jon Robin Baitz and starring Kate Burton, including regional, pre-Broadway productions at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts, the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, NY and the Huntington Theater Company in Boston. Assisted Tony Award nominated director Nicholas Martin in all incarnations of this new adaptation by Jon Robin Baitz and starring Kate Burton, including regional, pre-Broadway productions at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts, the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, NY and the Huntington Theater Company in Boston.



Boneau/Bryan-Brown

• United States
• Performing Arts
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Press Assistant

  • Jan 2001 - Jun 2001

  Assisted in public and media relations for multi-million dollar Broadway productions including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Blast!, Proof and 42nd Street. Coordinated national television appearances and print coverage. Wrote press releases distributed to national entertainment media, coordinated interviews with national and local media outlets, as well as major print and online publications. Assisted in public and media relations for multi-million dollar Broadway productions including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Blast!, Proof and 42nd Street. Coordinated national television appearances and print coverage. Wrote press releases distributed to national entertainment media, coordinated interviews with national and local media outlets, as well as major print and online publications.



THE LONESOME WEST

• United States
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Broadway Assistant Director

  • Mar 1999 - Jun 1999

  Assisted Tony Award winning Irish director Garry Hynes on this production of Martin McDonagh's play. This production was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Play and Best Director. Assisted Tony Award winning Irish director Garry Hynes on this production of Martin McDonagh's play. This production was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Play and Best Director.



THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE

• Broadway Assistant Director

  • Dec 1998 - Mar 1999

  Assisted Irish director Garry Hynes on this play by Martin McDonagh, for which Ms. Hynes was awarded the Tony Award for Best Director of a Play (the first woman to win this award). Assisted Irish director Garry Hynes on this play by Martin McDonagh, for which Ms. Hynes was awarded the Tony Award for Best Director of a Play (the first woman to win this award).