Experience.
Project Architect, RED RIVER FALLS, NY.
April 2020 - December 2021
During the extended COVID shutdowns in NY, I designed and managed the redevelopment of our townhouse. The project: Economical revival of a dilapidated, 100 year old, three storey townhouse into 3 apartments in as few moves as possible; minimising the use of new materials; keeping spaces flexible for future expansion; undersizing rather than oversizing; using passive lighting, heating and ventilation; onsite water retention; restoration and the repurposing of onsite materials. I oversaw all contractors, specification, drawings in CAD, materials boards, budgeting and permits- see portfolio.
Director of Donations, BIG REUSE, NY.
September 2018 - March 2020
At this zero-waste-focused non-profit (partnered with the Department of Sanitation), my team of five was responsible for the procurement, deconstruction, logistics, and administration of donated architectural salvage from corporate, industrial, and residential donors. Using my background in design and systems optimization, I helped to identify valuable designer items; and smooth the process of valuation, removal, and tax-deductible receipts to make donations more practical. We collected vintage radiators at the Flatiron Building; seconds furniture from West Elm/Williams Sonoma; Brownstone doors and windows from historic lofts and penthouses; furniture donations from Etsy, Junkluggers and film sets; and high-end appliances from Real Estate contacts. By forming high-value partnerships with valuers, developers, and corporate donors, our team oversaw record salvage collection and sales. We were also able to reduce costs and bring in more donations by promoting with GoodleAds, and through the digitisation of the donations process from inquiry to receipt. We implemented Google Forms and Calendars, to make pickups of donations simple for the team and the client. These efficiencies allowed us to respond to and retain a high volume of donations.
Family Time, BROOKLYN, NY.
October 2016 - August 2018
Our family was complete with the arrival of two beautiful children. During this period I worked casually in sales and web development for the natural beauty company, Shen Beauty.
Director of Sustainability, GREAT FOREST.
September 2013 - September 2016
At this CSR/Waste Brokerage firm, I headed up a team of five Sustainability Consultants working with 75 top-tier Manhattan high-rise properties. After interning, I began contributing to LEED projects and was given a portfolio of 10 buildings’ recycling maintenance programs, training cleaning staff and tenants. Gradually I took on larger client’s whole sustainability programs, checking compliance with local laws for ESPN and the Port Authority at the WTC site; and running monthly sustainability meetings for Fordham University, ABC/Disney and UN Plaza. Our team pitched and ran Earth Day events for clients such as The Ford Foundation and Boston Properties. We developed a scorecard system that allowed portfolio and property managers at Cushman & Wakefield, Vornado, Empire State Realty Trust and others to track building sustainability performance over time and in comparison to other buildings. As part of this scorecard we developed a robust waste auditing program for many clients such as Madison Square Garden and the Time Warner Center. We helped clients such as The Mandarin Hotel, The GM Building and Metlife to introduce best-practice food waste reduction programs and comply with new organic waste laws. Our team trained together in TRUE Zero Waste standards and initiated this as a new service offering at Great Forest. I was able to use my background in design to improve all internal and external communications for recycling and sustainability education for clients and their tenants. Our team’s efforts resulted in significant, measurable impacts and revenue.
CEO, EMERGENCY ARCHITECTS.
January 2009 - December 2012
I began in a managerial position at this shelter non-profit, performing fundraising, annual reporting to ACFID, and volunteer/events coordination. From 2010-2012, I acted as Company Secretary, next transitioning to CEO, where I worked with the board to create a strategic framework for shelter, sanitation reconstruction and resiliency programs. As CEO, I performed project management for sanitation infrastructure in India and Papua New Guinea; an impact assessment in the Solomon Islands of our projects five years after the 2007 Tsunami; and on mobilizing volunteer architects in Australia, post-disaster. Additionally, under my guidance, we significantly improved our Annual Reporting and compliance to qualify for AUSAID funding. I was happy to represent architects on the ACFID Shelter Reference Group, responding to Australian disasters. I also had the pleasure of speaking at the ANZ Disaster and Emergency Management Conference in 2012 about our building inspection program after the 2011 Queensland floods.
Practice Manager, DOUGLASS RADIOLOGY.
January 2005 - December 2008
During this period I worked for a family owned, large radiology practice. Here I was afforded amazing hands-on experience and mentoring in all aspects of business administration including supervising front desk staff; scheduling radiologists; promotion; payroll and accounting.
Architectural Designer.
During University and Immediately after, I gained experience in AutoCAD documentation/markups, measure-ups, model making, specification, onsite progress inspections, materials boards, and website content production in a variety of contexts and firms.
BATES SMART 2004
TUTOR, LONDRINA (BRAZIL) EMERGENCY HOUSING STUDIO, LAVAL UNIVERSITY 2004
TONKIN ZULHAIKA GREER 2002
STEVEN EHRLICH ARCHITECTS (LOS ANGELES) 2001-2002
DARRYL LOCK DESIGN
1999 - 2000