Celeste co-founded Public Works Partners out of a passion to help mission-driven organizations increase their positive impact on local communities. She’s spent over 20 years helping to cultivate healthy communities and organizations. Specializing in developing programs grounded in data analysis and management practices, she helps organizations identify ways to improve program performance and measure impact and success. Celeste has led engagements on developing community-driven goals through facilitating processes and bringing different stakeholders together.

Experience

• Previously a Senior Analyst at NYC Office of Management and Budget
• At NYC Department of Small Business Services, she led the agency’s budget and human resources teams and launched large-scale business-based hiring and training initiatives
• MS in Urban Planning from Cornell University
• BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Graduate of Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses and Coro Leadership New York

Outside of Public Works Partners

• Member of the alumni advisory board of the Coro New York Leadership Center
• Served as a US Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco and speaks Berber
• Loves to hike and explore new cities

Allison leads Public Works’ Client Services practice, designing solutions for complex programs and partnerships that sit at the intersection of urban planning and human service delivery. She has dedicated over a decade working with public sector and nonprofit organizations, leading projects on program design, organizational assessments, performance improvement, and stakeholder engagement. Her goal is to always help clients fulfill their missions effectively and sustainably. An expert facilitator, Allison frequently leads advisory boards, focus groups, and working sessions with clients.

Experience

• Led facilitation for several City-affiliated task forces, helping build consensus and identify actionable solutions for new development efforts across elected officials, City agencies, community advocates, small business owners, service providers and more
• Directed improvement efforts for over a dozen New York City nonprofits, identifying strengths, challenges, and opportunities to align resources to organizational objectives in a more sustainable way
• Formerly served at the NYC Department of Small Business Services and NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development advancing Workforce1 Career Centers and affordable housing program evaluation respectively
• B.A. in Metropolitan Studies from New York University
• M.P.A. from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University

Outside of Public Works Partners

• Proud alum of Coro Leadership New York
• A pop culture addict, with a particular love of teen television and podcasts that comment on the intersection of entertainment, politics, and sports
• Extremely committed to her Sunday morning pilates class

Moe leads Public Works’ Business Development efforts, connecting the firm’s expertise to design sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges facing mission-driven organizations and local communities. As a consultant, Moe develops evidence-based program models that are grounded in strong program management, rigorous performance monitoring, and public-private partnership. He helps civic organizations design human-centered service strategies, build organizational capacity, and align program operations to outcomes.

Experience

• Coordinated the 7-month multi-agency implementation of a one-stop business center, overseeing the center's space acquisition, construction management, governance, and service design
• Supported a national foundation in designing and running a grantee selection process for its newly launched initiative awarding $500,000 in planning grants
• Previously served as Senior Advisor for the NYC Center for Economic Opportunity, where he launched innovative anti-poverty programs and designed the Center’s performance management operations
• Coordinated lobbying efforts for the Lincoln Center $1 Billion Redevelopment Campaign
• B.A. in Government & Politics from St. John’s University
• M.P.A. from NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service
• Certified in User Experience Design (UXD) by General Assembly

Outside Public Works

• When not at work, you can catch Moe surfing Rockaway Beach
• Building the next generation of ocean conservationist as Youth Coordinator for Surfrider Foundation NYC Chapter
• Coaching urban youth in surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding with STOKED

Aurelia designs and implements formative evaluation studies to strengthen the organizational capacity of nonprofit organizations to meet the needs of their program participants. She supports improvements in service coordination, data capacity within and among nonprofits, identifying promising strategies to fund capacity-building initiatives, and managing initiative stakeholders. She brings experience working on issues related to community development, economic and workforce development, postsecondary education, the delivery of human services, health and public safety, and community partnerships.

Experience

• Previously a research associate with MDRC, where she primarily focused on comprehensive community initiatives that aimed at increasing the capacity of community-based organizations to meet the overlapping needs of low- to moderate-income residents in New York City and Chicago
• Supported the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness’ efforts to coordinate a response to homelessness across 19 federal agencies and execute its national communications strategy
• M.P.A. from the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at City University of New York-Baruch College
• M.A. in sociology from Arizona State University’s School of Social and Family Dynamics, where she researched the delivery of human services to men and women experiencing homelessness in Phoenix
• B.S. in sociology with a minor in ethnic studies from Santa Clara University

Outside Public Works

• Proud alum of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Graduate Fellowship program, and current applicant reviewer
• Volunteer with New York Cares since 2013
• Slowly becoming addicted to cycling classes (held off as long as I could!)

Matthew has worked in a variety of public sector organizations in New York City, addressing housing, public health, and economic development needs. He conducts research, analyzes data, and coordinates stakeholders to assist diverse clients in building organizational capacity and designing effective public policies. Using his skills in qualitative analysis, program development and community engagement, Matthew helps clients define and advance organizational objectives. Matthew is skilled in creating evidence-based policies utilizing demographic and economic analysis.

Experience

• Worked as a research consultant with MIT Community Innovators Lab where he supported local and state level organizations develop a comprehensive community-based healthcare delivery system in Brooklyn
• Led data collection initiatives to help Manhattan Community Board 11 develop data-driven policies for inclusion in their annual District Needs Statement
• Assisted in the administration and development of individual education plans for students with special needs as a Behavior Coach in San Jose, California
• B.A. in Education from Queen’s University, Canada
• M.S. in Urban Planning from Columbia University

Outside Public Works

• Member of the American Planning Association Public Schools Interest Group
• Volunteers with homeless services in NYC
• Enjoys trying out new recipes and experimenting with food

Favio contributes his diverse experience in organizational development to help Public Works’ clients grow their capacity and service strategies to strengthen the communities they serve. He specializes in performance measurement, program evaluation, data analysis, financial analysis, strategic management, and program design. Favio is also a skilled trainer and facilitator, having experience working with a diverse group of stakeholders in New York City and abroad.

Experience

• Created 4 tools to analyze the organizational health of nonprofit clients through evaluating administrative practices, board governance, programs portfolios, and financial practices
• Co-created tools to train 20 workforce development organizations in customer journey mapping
• Led a program evaluation of a coalition of 50 human service organizations
• Worked with local NYC nonprofits in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, program evaluation, and the implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems
• Served in the Peace Corps in Paraguay for three years, supporting community groups and trained incoming volunteers and government officials on community development strategies, community health, and project management
• B.A. in Politics, Economics and Law from SUNY Old Westbury
• M.P.A from NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service

Outside Public Works

• Puts his green thumb to use at community gardens throughout Harlem
• Active member of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer network in NYC
• Promotes and enjoys discovering new things in his borough, The Bronx

Daniel leads multi-stakeholder projects with the Client Services team, combining expertise in urban planning with extensive experience in operations, research, and project management. His unique skill set enables him to perform market assessments, translate detailed quantitative and qualitative data into easily digestible graphics for a range of audiences, coordinate and conduct surveys, and develop solutions that meet the needs of a variety of stakeholders. Daniel has held positions with urban planning consulting firms, community development nonprofits, large philanthropic organizations, and private hospitality. This has led him to appreciate the various strategies and approaches that a project manager must possess in their toolkit, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with clients and constituents.

Experience

• Conducted market analyses and developed action plans for local government agencies and nonprofit clients in his role with Larisa Ortiz Associates Commercial District Advisors
• Coordinated physical surveys and conducted policy and code analyses of informal basement and cellar apartments, providing support for pilot Basement Conversion Program in East New York
• Recruited and provided technical assistance to urban manufacturers and developed manufacturer testimonials as part of Pratt Center’s Made in NYC initiative
• Master of City and Regional Planning from Pratt Institute
• B.A. in English from University of Florida
• Certificate of Urban Planning from George Washington University

Outside Public Works

• Member APA New York Metro Chapter Economic Development Committee
• Enjoys attending meetings for his local Brooklyn Community Board 8
• Loves coffee, podcasts, and Prospect Park

Mary Kathryn creates creative community engagement strategies from a design-thinking and strategic planning lens, specializing in public interest campaigns and public-private partnerships. With a particular expertise in land use and urban planning efforts, she builds and implements accessible tools and processes to ensure successful public outreach, translating complex regulatory issues into easily digestible information so community members can understand the implications for their everyday lives. She also incorporates design principles for process improvement and to advance equity.

Experience

• Led public engagement workshops with the Center for Urban Pedagogy, conducted research for the East Harlem Neighborhood Plan at the New York Department of City Planning, and administered a Department of Justice grant with LISC Safety
• Helped administer a $55 million grant program for the Department of Justice with LISC Safety
• Developed community engaged design curriculum for the planning process and redevelopment of 150 Section 8 housing units
• Served as editor for a 100-page best practices facilitation manual for a New York City agency
• Built a hands-on dry-erase architectural model actively being used by the City of Charlottesville during public meetings
• B.A. in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia

Outside Public Works

• Board Member of the Design Futures Student Leadership forum, a five-day conference that hosts interactive workshops on designing for equity
• Studied sustainable transportation and housing in Switzerland
• Avid (sometimes injured) runner

Summer supports the Client Services team in managing multi-stakeholder projects by leveraging skills she developed in previous roles at Project for Public Spaces and the Columbus Amsterdam Business Improvement District. She leverages her academic training in urban studies to help design sustainable solutions drawn from best practice research, stakeholder feedback, data analysis, and GIS mapping. Her combined experiences in public and nonprofit sectors allow her to approach project challenges and identify opportunities from varying angles, which is a trait that is important for our clients’ dynamic projects.

Experience

• Studied historic neighborhood transition in Boston and developed findings on effective racial integration at the neighborhood level, as well as implications for larger-scale, ongoing patterns of spatial and social mobility
• Developed content for an international database of innovative public spaces
• Assisted in the activation of an underutilized Baltimore main street through a pop-up event featuring nonprofit, public, and private sector vendors
• Worked as a Writing Fellow where she supported student writers in the critical writing process and collaborated with professors of economics, Africana, and urban studies to develop and implement individualized fellowing plans
• B.A. in Urban Studies from Barnard College, Columbia University

Outside of Public Works Partners

• Participant in the Social Mobility and Equal Opportunity discussion group series by The Jain Family Institute
• Live jazz enthusiast
• Enjoys figure painting, hot yoga, and lively discussions on feminist theory in her (evidently not-so-down) downtime

Jasmine conducts business and financial analysis to find data-driven solutions to our clients’ challenges. Leveraging over three years of public finance experience in New York City government, she works with clients to identify cost saving initiatives to make public services efficient, economical and impactful. She previously worked on budget strategies for criminal justice agencies at NYC Office of Management & Budget and handled the management and implementation of OTPS budget at the NYC Department of Investigation.

Experience

• Performed analyses including cost/benefit, cash flow/funding availability, reconciliations, and year-end budget projections
• Reviewed contracts and produced memos on indigent defense, criminal justice, IT, social services, and other contracts
• Conducted a multi-agency/contractor salary parity analysis
• Worked as a research assistant researching and preparing lecture slides on state, local, gubernatorial, mayoral, and international elections
• Co-led an intern focus group to gain perspective on what Gen Y looks for in a career in order to help tailor marketing resources
• B.A. in Economics and Politics from New York University

Outside of Public Works Partners

• Volunteers as an ESL teacher once a week with students in Afghanistan via Skype through the Afghan Relief Organization
• Recently certified as a Pilates mat instructor (still in student-teaching!)
• Takes great satisfaction in doing DIY home improvement projects
• Loves swimming and basketball (though she’s not very good at either)

Sophanite Gedion supports client services by developing outreach strategies, supporting project management, and collecting and analyzing data. She also supports the team by drafting and copy-editing presentations and reports. Sophanite has a background in K-12 education and community engagement.

Experience

• Created and facilitated a 24-training trajectory centered on developing cultural competency, community awareness and engagement to strengthen member skill sets for a school-based AmeriCorps program with over 300 members
• Developed curriculum for and implemented a ten-part paraeducator training and parent to para pipeline program for a school district with over 180 sites
• Analyzed and researched Colorado legislation in the House Education and House Finance committees
• Managed constituent, internal and external communications and outreach for several Colorado State Representatives
• MPA candidate at NYU Wagner

Outside of Public Works Partners

• At Wagner Sophanite is a member of the Black Student Alliance, Wagner Women’s Caucus and the lead for the Wagner Diversity Council Sub-Committee on Peer Learning and Capacity Building
• Enjoys cooking and baking
• Considers herself a DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) buff/pop culture queen and regularly attends trivia nights in hopes that someday all of this knowledge will come in handy

Charlotte supports Business Development and Marketing efforts at Public Works Partners, developing communications and marketing strategies, writing proposals, managing social media, and creating blog posts. Her background is in non-profit management and public-private partnerships.

Experience

• Previously U.S. Head of Partnerships at the Movember Foundation, a global men’s health charity that asks men to grow mustaches for the month of November to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and poor mental health
• Oversaw U.S. partnership portfolio and executed all stages of sales process including prospecting, negotiation, closing, and account management
• B.A. in Psychology and Art from Lafayette College
• M.P.A. candidate at NYU Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service

Outside Public Works

• Loves to travel and hike (she has visited a National Park every year since 2012)
• Hidden talents include most bar games (darts, shuffleboard, ping-pong, etc.)
• Also enjoys tennis, skiing, biking, art, and reading a good book!

Simon assists client services by developing outreach strategies, supporting project management, and collecting and analyzing data. He also aids business development by drafting and copy-editing proposals.

Experience

• Led data collection for a district-wide evaluation report on Washington D.C. Public School credit recovery and summer school programs
• Researched the changing nature of global garment markets and their effects on local communities in the United States and Mexico for a book on gender, labor, and power in the apparel industry
• Previously a research intern for a political strategy firm in Madison, Wisconsin

Outside of Public Works Partners

• Drafted in the 2018 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays and currently plays in their minor league system
• Enjoys hiking and reading whenever possible

Mindy handles all of Public Works Partners financial transactions and record keeping. She is a trained accountant who prefers the bookkeeping aspect of her trade. She has over 15 years of experience in accounting/bookkeeping and has worked with over 30 small – mid sized firms with consulting and marketing firms being her specialty. Mindy is extremely detail oriented and financially minded which are key qualities needed in a good accounting manager.

Experience

• Is a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and has extensive knowledge of the program
• Specializes in Budgets and Financial Reporting
• B.A. in Accounting from Baruch College (CUNY)

Outside Public Works

• Is an avid reader with fantasy and historical fiction being her favorite genres
• Enjoys photography and learning how to use her cameras
• Spends her downtime chasing after her daughter

Mark, a co-founder of the firm, develops smart solutions for clients through strategic program design, policy analysis and the creation of compelling proposals on behalf of organizations seeking public or institutional funding. He facilitates discussions with diverse and complex groups of stakeholders in order to identify pathways to organizational strengthening and growth. Mark also regularly publishes studies for the Center for an Urban Future examining issues facing small business.

Experience

• BA in Geography and Urban Planning from Hunter College at the City University of New York
• M.P.A from the NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service

Outside Public Works

• Board Member of Citizens Union and Riders Alliance
• Board Member of Coro New York Leadership Center Alumni