Beth Olberding Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

As a Research Analyst II on UrbanShift, a WRI Ross Center program supporting sustainable and inclusive urban development in 23 cities across Asia, Africa and Latin America. She served as the Gender Lead on UrbanShift, led grant compliance and progress reporting, and supported research, partnership engagement and strategy.

As a research analyst for the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities Resource Team at the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, Beth supports the team with knowledge products such as case studies on integrated urban planning in the Global South and technical notes on urban sustainability. Additionally, Beth supports project management and coordination of a sustainable cities project to ensure deliverables are in compliance with the grant.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Blacksburg, Virginia

Assisted with data collection, interviews, survey analyses, and economic impact analyses. Researched and wrote community case studies examining the challenges facing three towns in Appalachia and their success with revitalization. Led a team of graduate assistants on a community-visioning project for Downtown Christiansburg Inc., a non-profit organization working to revitalize downtown Christiansburg, Virginia. Presented both projects to external stakeholders and clients. Conducted the… Show more Assisted with data collection, interviews, survey analyses, and economic impact analyses. Researched and wrote community case studies examining the challenges facing three towns in Appalachia and their success with revitalization. Led a team of graduate assistants on a community-visioning project for Downtown Christiansburg Inc., a non-profit organization working to revitalize downtown Christiansburg, Virginia. Presented both projects to external stakeholders and clients. Conducted the qualitative analysis for a USAID-funded project economic impact of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. Have contributed to over 11 final reports. Show less

La Victoria, Sarapiquí, Costa Rica

Community-wide- Organized and taught community English classes, utilized Spanish—taught Junior Achievement classes to 90% of sixth graders in semi-rural community, advised female business owners who had microloans through Grameen Bank, taught a group of female business owners basic computer skills.Women’s group ASOMOTUR. Wrote and received two to assist a women’s group build a covered garden and start a farmer’s market, facilitated a basic entrepreneurship course in Spanish… Show more Community-wide- Organized and taught community English classes, utilized Spanish—taught Junior Achievement classes to 90% of sixth graders in semi-rural community, advised female business owners who had microloans through Grameen Bank, taught a group of female business owners basic computer skills.Women’s group ASOMOTUR. Wrote and received two to assist a women’s group build a covered garden and start a farmer’s market, facilitated a basic entrepreneurship course in Spanish. Cooperative COCOTOUR. Helped structure leadership and internal organizational operations, collaborated and assisted with writing a possibility, viability, and utility (PVU) study required to legalize the cooperative written in Spanish, taught basic accounting skills, and wrote successful grant to cover equipment needs.Environment Committee. Founded the environmental committee for Peace Corps Volunteers in Costa Rica, managed the committee and served as chair.Public Relations and Communications Committee. Launched and co-managed the Peace Corps Costa Rica Instagram account, was the fastest growing Peace Corps Instagram account worldwide in its first nine months.Master’s International. Conducted sixteen, Spanish interviews about indigenous perspectives on an international initiative called Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). Show less

Taught an introductory biology lab (3, 2-hour sections of 24 students each week), created and graded all quizzes and assignments, dedicated 20 hours a week to teaching responsibilities.

Newport News, Virginia

Conducted housing authority auditing, summarized legal housing authority legal documents, wrote a report regarding food deserts and potential options for an under served community in Newport News.

Assisted with development of promotional materials, programs and events. Processed financial payments and gained customer service skills through working with patrons.

Researched local adaptation of Campanulastrum Americanum (American Bellflower) on two different soil types; included recording and analyzing phenological and fitness data.

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Biology

Activities and Societies: Building Tomorrow, Madison House Med-Services, SOCA volunteer soccer coach Studied Biology with a concentration.

Master Of Urban And Regional Planning, City/Urban, Community And Regional Planning

Master Of Natural Resources, Natural Resources And Conservation