I came into the community development world through several lifelong interests, including historic preservation, architecture, art, urban places and, of course, people. In college, when I was introduced to Urban Planning by a professor, I was amazed that all of these interests coalesced into one degree; into one professional field. I quickly changed my major and transferred schools to gain a better education in my new field of study. While at CSU, I applied for and received an internship at a local community development corp, Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation. This internship turned into another, into another, and when all was said and done I had spent almost 3 years total with the organization. The experience I gained in all areas of the organization kindled a love for non-profit organizations and the invaluable work that they do for their communities. When DCA absorbed the staff of HGNC, I was happy to stay and work with the Business Development team on utilizing data to inform and promote the work that DCA does. I currently serve as a Business Development Specialist assisting with research and reporting for the Downtown Cleveland Alliance.