analyzed economic and employment data for trends; compiled and summarized existing research for literature reviewsedited research reports and graphics before publicationsCo-authored reports on gentrification in Humboldt Park, Chicago, and on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on jobless and out-of-school/work rates for young people in Chicago and Illinois

Assisted project managers at non-profit affordable housing developer with projects in various phases of development, including assignments related to assembling project financing, clearing government approvals, and due diligence.Projects & Accomplishments• Input historical budget numbers into financial model to assess net operating income and determine supportable debt amount• Updated city of Chicago DOH pro forma with internal changes• Updated financial model based on actual terms included in investor Letter of Intent to support reassessment of sources gap• Reviewed investor and internal draw schedules to identify misalignment and necessary adjustments to timing assumptions• Input project information into state bond gap financing application

Strategic communications for JMA’s federal, state, and local policy work to ensure public spending supports equitable economic development and environmental sustainability in historically disinvested communities. Worked with policy staff and coalition partners to hone messaging for campaigns and initiatives. Led coordination with external partners for media roll-out strategies onjoint projects.Projects & Accomplishments• Supported communications for national campaign urging Biden administration to repeal outdated, Reagan-era ban on “local hire” policies that support local job creation• Led communications for work in support of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, passed by Illinois legislature in September 2021• Led roll-out strategy for major reports, including reports on lack of transparency and accountability in government tax incentive programs in Alabama and transitioning to electric school buses in New York

Served as senior aide on communications, public relations, and community engagement to a progressive member of US Congress. Pitched national and local media outlets to generate coverage of the Congresswoman’s legislative work. Served as media liaison for all California-based media outlets. Developed press releases, talking points, speeches, video scripts and concepts, and op-eds, working with senior policy staff to shape messaging. Executed weekly social media outreach plans to target various constituencies in the district. Led outreach to state and local partners and community stakeholders on key district issues, including poverty, criminal justice reform, cannabis reform, and health care. Led event planning and promotion.Projects & Accomplishments• Authored op-eds for Rep. Lee on police abuse, cannabis reform, poverty, health care, foreign policy, and other topics in the San Francisco Chronicle, East Bay Times, East Bay Express, Oakland Post, and the Bay Area Reporter• Led district press strategy for Rep. Lee’s December 2018 run for Chair of the House Democratic Caucus; secured coverage in all major Bay Area newspapers• Served on steering committee for Obama Foundation’s February 2019 My Brother’s Keeper Conference in Oakland• Organized 100-person summit focused on poverty and food insecurity in California, bringing together advocates and policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s chief of staff• Spearheaded Twitter campaign highlighting impact of Jan. 2019 government shutdown on constituents

Covered policing, race, and inequality for the magazine’s print and online editions. Handled longform stories and breaking news. Served as subject matter expert for Mother Jones during media interviews and panel discussions.Selected Projects & Accomplishments• Led newsroom reporting on police abuse and reform• Extensive coverage of cannabis reform nationwide and its criminal justice implications• Reporting cited in Freedom of Information Act request regarding federal surveillance of BLM activists submitted to the Department of Justice by civil rights groups Color of Change and the Center for Constitutional Rights• Reporting cited on “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC; Interviews on NPR, HuffPost Live, WCSU, and PNS