Hi there! I’m Menasha, an urban researcher passionate about people-centered urban development.I’ve worked across various sectors, including academia (Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University, Barnard College Urban Studies Program), the nonprofit sector (YMCA corporate offices, Campus Compact, BCDI), and the private sector (Bank of America). I also have experience in qualitative and spatial analysis as well as doing data consolidation for professors and senior leadership at Barnard College and Columbia University. I’ve conducted, compiled, evaluated, and analyzed research on economic democracy and community land trusts in the Bronx, land morphology of NYC, the political economy of land and urban villages in Jakarta, and Barnard’s DEI initiatives.I also know what it takes to be a strategic planner and leader. I served as the co-director of The 116th Initiative, a mutual aid organization that has raised over $130,000+ for Barnard and Columbia students in immediate financial need. My passion for people-centered and equity-driven development is rooted in my years working for Barnard's Vice President for Inclusion and Engaged Learning and Chief Diversity Officer as well as the experiences I had being born and raised in New York City.In my spare time, I enjoy baking (I was recently awarded a fellowship to learn pastry arts at a bakery), biking, making ice cream from scratch, and learning languages!I love connecting with others in the urban planning sector, especially Barnard and Columbia alums! You can contact me at menashathomas@gmail.com.
