I am a social entrepreneur, Obama Leader, architect, and educator with over 8 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and sustainable development. As the founder and director of Needlab, I have led the implementation of 56 projects across 16 countries, driving innovative, community-centered solutions to global challenges like climate-smart housing and urban sustainability through partnerships with organizations such as UN-Habitat.I am passionate about advocacy and sharing my knowledge and insights. I’ve spoken at global forums, including the UN-Habitat Assembly and Harvard Business School SECON Conference, and currently serve as an Adjunct Professor at New York University, teaching Ethical Leadership and Entrepreneurial Systems, and as a Visiting Associate Professor at Pratt Institute, leading courses on community participatory design.My architectural work includes collaborations with the Mayor of Seoul on CO2 reduction and the Prime Minister of Bhutan on CO2-neutral designs. As the youngest architect to design for Barcelona Design Week 2018, I am committed to sustainable design innovation.Recognized by Fast Company as a World Changing Ideas Finalist and awarded the Hackster Impact Project Award by the UNDP, I strive to create scalable, sustainable solutions that make a meaningful difference in underserved communities worldwide.
