About
The Short Story
Me
Born and raised in Miami, Florida I now live and work in Brooklyn, New York.
The (only slightly) Longer Story
I. Learning…..
Undergraduate
I earned a B.A. in English Literature and Environmental Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. While there I had the pleasure of serving as the Program Leader for VERDE–an environmental education program for second and third graders run through the Campus Y—for three years.
Graduate
Upon returning to the U.S. of A. from an extended stay in Spain (see below), I headed to Bloomington, Indiana where I began my Masters program at Indiana University’s School for Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). I graduated in 2007 with an MPA in Economic Development and Comparative and International Affairs, and—after two semesters of TAing the graduate-level statistics course—left with a hearty knowledge of SAS statistical software and a geeky affinity for data analysis.
II. Traveling…..
Australia
My junior year I studied abroad with the School for International Training’s (SIT) Conservation and Natural Resource Management Program in Australia. In addition to exploring Australia’s gorgeous Frasier Island, Tasmania, and Broome with my 8 classmates—I conducted a field-based independent study project examining the economic, environmental, and social impacts of the New South Wales cotton industry. As part of that project, I spent two weeks sleeping in a tent on a sheep station in the New South Wales Outback and made some great friends, Phil and Myra Tolhurst of Willie Retreat.
Spain
Soon after graduating from Washington University, I resolved to finally put my Spanish language skills to the test. I moved to San Sebastian and interned at the Aranzadi Science Society where I conducted urban forestry research with my mentor. I spent the rest of my time going on runs around La Concha (the main beach), eating pintxos, and drinking frightening amounts of café con leche. Before I headed back (my visa expired on April 15th, a sad day for not only U.S. tax-payers but also my expatriate self), I ran the 2005 Paris Marathon with my sister—during which I avoided the free champagne and sausage being handed out around mile 22 and crossed the finish line holding hands with a middle-aged Italian man who spoke no English (and I no Italian—which, by the way, is not as similar to Spanish as people would have you believe).
Belgium
During the summer between my two years at graduate school I interned at the U.S. Department of State’s U.S. Mission to the European Union (affectionately known as USEU) in Brussels, Belgium. Despite getting horribly lost on my way to the embassy on my first day of work, I ended up having a fabulous time working in foreign diplomacy and enjoying the small chocolates that came with every coffee you ordered. While at USEU I researched and reported on the status of the E.U.’s Kyoto Protocol commitments, served as the Control Officer for delegations of U.S. civil servants coming to Brussels for conferences and research, and dog sat.
III. Saving the Day….
NYC
Which brings me to…NYC. People always ask, “What attracted you to New York?” I first moved to New York because I love living abroad, and New York seemed like the best place to live abroad without having to get a visa. But, of course, it’s more than that. In New York, there is so much vibrancy, energy, passion, and access to the best the country has to offer. It’s the perfect landscape to work with entrepreneurs, meet people who are changing the world, and develop my passions for philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and nonprofit management.
When I’m not out saving the world, you can find me hanging out with my sweet dog, Delaney; going on long, urban hikes throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan; and, waiting (impatiently) for House MD Season 5 to come out on DVD.
Delaney, sunbathing