Bría Mathis Email & Phone Number

New York, United States

New York City Metropolitan Area

Contribute to Blue Meridian’s investee selection and due diligence process, portfolio strategy development, and manage $80M of investments in nonprofit organizations located across the United States. I work in partnership with investees to develop business plans, connect them with technical assistance and resources, and monitor reporting and performance. Working closely with Managing Directors, I collaborate on innovative initiatives that work to improve social and economic mobility, with a particular focus on scaling data and technology solutions for nonprofits, building a pipeline of policy and evidence-based solutions, and ensuring that racial equity is at the center of strategy development and execution.

Selected from over 200+ project submissions, my research project explores the intersection of local governance, public oversight, policing, and surveillance technology by examining the implementation of the POST (Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology) Act. In particular, my policy investigation will look at the disparate impacts of surveillance on Black communities and the history of policing, guiding the lens through which this research is conducted and the way solutions, ideas, and insights will be presented.

New York City Metropolitan Area

As the head of operations for the Office of the First Lady, I worked in collaboration with the First Lady's senior leadership team to map out logistics and strategies for advancing the First Lady’s policy goals. As a trusted partner, I also advised on sensitive and critical issues related to the First Lady’s schedule and worked in partnership with the Mayor’s team and city agencies to ensure seamless project execution. In addition, I stewarded the strategic planning process and designed plans that furthered the First Lady's portfolio. Overall, I was a connective thread that ensured that the First Lady's Office was efficient and effective while overseeing a dynamic set of administrative and operational needs that spanned strategic planning, project management, constituent affairs, and event production. During the mayoral transition, I stayed on to provide operations and project management support to the newly created NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity. I led the hiring process for the Office of Equity's first round of new staff, stewarded the public hearing process for the College Savings Account program, and built out internal processes and infrastructure for the team.

New York City Metropolitan Area

Supported 25 graduate student groups in scheduling virtual programs, developing engaging content, and ensuring that their events were inclusive and upheld NYU Wagner IDEB (Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Belonging) principles and goals. In addition to serving as a liaison for student groups, I created and administered online trainings, designed supportive materials, wrote event recaps for diversity-related programming, and developed strategic plans for student engagement and capacity building.

As a member of a four-person team of consultants, working alongside the Program Innovation team at CEO, I served as the Data Lead and Product Manager. As part of my role, I collected and cleaned large data sets, created data visualizations in Tableau, and developed compelling data insights. For the final product, I oversaw the design and delivery of the final research report and presentation.

Supported the Project and Performance Management team in developing short-term and long-term strategies, facilitating program and policy implementation, and inter-agency coordination across a broad range of projects that pertained to the city's COVID-19 response, such as emergency food distribution, contact tracing, and social distancing and public safety. In addition to projects related to COVID-19 response, I assisted with key mayoral projects and initiatives, such as the implementation of Executive Order 45, the Mayor's commitment to equity and combating disparities, and other projects that required working with an array of city agencies, CBOs, non-profits, and more.

Greater New York City Area

Served as a liaison and advisor to the LiveWellNYU Student Network, made up of 100+ student organizations committed to promoting and fostering health and well-being on campus. To support this work, I managed all aspects of LiveWellNYU’s co-sponsorship program, providing small grants (up to $5,000), as well as marketing materials and swag, supporting 125 student-led events each year reaching 25,000 NYU students. In addition to fostering capacity building externally, I also oversaw the training, supervision, and professional development of LiveWellNYU Community Engagement undergraduate student employees.

Greater New York City Area

As the team lead and day-to-day manager for Manhattan's Outreach team, I oversaw the development of community engagement strategies and served as the primary community liaison for capital projects and key initiatives in Manhattan. In addition to advising on community engagement best practices, I served as a mentor and coach to (4) full-time Outreach Coordinators and (1) seasonal Volunteer Projects Assistant, providing training and ongoing professional development. In addition, I provided technical assistance and support to a portfolio of environmental stewardship groups, organized stewardship projects, and managed a $30,000 sustainability grant.

As the Outreach Coordinator and NYC Parks community liaison for Morningside Heights, Hamilton Heights, Striver's Row, Central Harlem, & Sugar Hill, I provided individuals and community groups with the tools, support, and know-how to become stewards of their neighborhood parks and green spaces. In supporting the organizational development and capacity building of parks groups, I provided advice on fundraising, advocacy, engaging local elected officials, and how to build inclusive, equitable community spaces.

Spearheaded the development of volunteer projects at 1,000 community-based organizations, providing crucial support and capacity building opportunities to our anti-hunger organizations & multi-service agencies citywide. Alongside developing our community engagement strategy, I developed our corporate volunteer partnerships and plugged companies into one-time and ongoing opportunities as well as creating customized volunteer projects that aligned with their company's CSR pillars and goals.

New York, Ny

Chosen to serve as a member of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger's Anti Hunger and Empowerment Corps and was placed at Food Bank For New York City to support their volunteer engagement program. As a part of the program, I participated in focused discussions that addressed hunger and the factors contributing to food insecurity and poverty. And as a part of my service year, I led the volunteer coordination and planning for Food Bank For New York City's special initiatives and large-scale service events, raising over $1M at the New York City Wine and Food Festival, and deploying 2,200 volunteers to support the cause across 3 days.

Arica, Chile

Designed lesson plans that focused on enhancing the peaking & listening skills of students aged 13-16 years old by creating specialized activities that encouraged students to use English in a fun, structured environment. By utilizing a variety of ESL and teaching methodologies, I was able to effectively address and improve the English level of students at North American College.

Provided direct support to a residence of over 200 students; connected students to on-campus resources, mediated resident conflict, and counseled residents in academic and career planning. In addition, I conceptualized and designed innovative programming in the areas of multiculturalism/diversity, civic engagement, social competence, personal safety, and academic success.

Stony Brook, New York

Served under the Associate Director of Multicultural Affairs in a dynamic internship that focused on fostering cross cultural dialogue and interaction among Stony Brook University students.

New York, Ny

Focused on ways to expand the organization's reach by enhancing their social media, website, and other communications. Also worked on developing a strategic plan to engage colleges/universities, local business, and other groups that have a vested interest in social justice, health, and economic issues affecting Burundi and surrounding areas.

New York, Ny

Chosen as one of twenty women to participate in an intensive international relations and global affairs internship program through a partnership with the Jewish Foundation for the Education of Women and the State University of New York.

Master Of Public Administration - Mpa, Public & Nonprofit Management & Policy

Activities and Societies: Chair of Wagner City Government Network, Contributing Editor at The Wagner Review

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Health Science And Sociology

Activities and Societies: Golden Key International Honour Society, Black Womyn's Weekend Play Writer's Guild, Cadence Step Team.