Nancy is oversees administrative tasks, manages office supplies, coordinates schedules, and handles day-to-day operations in our Los Angeles Office.

Nancy plays a vital role in maintaining a functional and efficient workplace by handling various administrative, operational, and managerial tasks. Her knack for juggling multiple responsibilities is unparalleled. Her versatility allows them to address various needs, from organizing meetings to implementing efficient office procedures, ultimately contributing to the overall productivity and success of the office.

Hilary draws on her experience in urban analytics and community development to inform urban planning solutions that center equity, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Prior to joining HR&A, Hilary supported energy and environment projects at Regional Plan Association, where she developed New York City’s first local climate resilience plan mapper, an interactive online mapping tool that highlights community-led climate resilience initiatives since Hurricane Sandy. In 2022, she was named an ANHD/Morgan Stanley Community Development Graduate Fellow, tasked with supporting Hope Community, Inc., an affordable housing nonprofit in East Harlem, to investigate the impact of Local Law 97 on the organization’s housing portfolio and develop a building decarbonization strategy for Hope’s properties. Prior to her graduate studies, Hilary was an Operations Associate at the Hudson Square Business Improvement District, where she oversaw public realm operations, green space maintenance, and the implementation of the Open Restaurants and Open Streets programs for the Hudson Square neighborhood.

Hilary holds a Master of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia University, where she received the Avery Scholarship and the Honor Award for Excellence in Urban Planning. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies (Honors) and English from Brown University, where she received the Excellence in Community Service Award.

Dominic brings experience in data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and narrative building to support projects that make cities more equitable and sustainable.

Dominic re-joins HR&A after serving as a Summer Fellow in 2022, where he supported projects like the redevelopment of New York Penn Station, the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative in Manhattan Chinatown, funding and financing for resilient infrastructure in South Africa, and HR&A’s Infrastructure Funding Navigator. While at another consultancy, he contributed to market analyses for the New York City hotel and wholesale beverage distribution industries, and a highway cap real estate development proposal in Cincinnati.

Dominic is an expert on New York City outdoor dining policy. For the nonprofit Welcome to Chinatown, he managed three surveys targeting distinct Chinatown audiences to gather feedback on the Open Restaurants outdoor dining program. He synthesized findings into a white paper presented to Manhattan Community Board 3. At New York University, Dominic was the lead author of a study finding that the Open Restaurants program brought outdoor dining to low-income, minority neighborhoods where it was previously out of reach to many small businesses. His work on outdoor dining has been featured in Gothamist, Streetsblog NYC, Crain’s New York Business, AM New York, Fast Company, Thrillist, and EATER New York.

Dominic has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Swarthmore College and a Master of Urban Planning from New York University. For his capstone project at New York University, Dominic led a team of graduate students in creating a Greenway Connectivity Plan for the City of Jersey City. The plan recommends 16 new or upgraded pedestrian and cyclist paths that will transform Jersey City’s separate greenways into a citywide active transportation network.

Melissa is a program and project management leader in the broadband sector pushing for affordable, high-quality internet for all.

Prior to joining HR&A, Melissa was Director of Program Management at the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) for the Lifeline, Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), and Affordable Connectivity Programs.  Melissa ran the project management office that orchestrated the launch of the temporary EBB program and then transitioned to the longer-term, $14 billion Affordable Connectivity Program. These programs provide monthly discounts on internet service to millions of households.  Melissa worked alongside federal partners to build application and program management systems, identify and resolve consumer and industry challenges, and track program goals. She executed strategic communication and outreach strategies to build program awareness and improve consumer experience.

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Virginia Tech and a Master of Historic Preservation from University of Maryland.

Rachael provides analytical support to HR&A’s Digital Equity and Broadband practice with experience in public policy analysis, economic development, human centered-design, and behavioral economics.

Prior to joining HR&A, Rachael worked as an economic development and public policy consultant based in North Carolina, working closely with local governments on projects ranging from housing to entrepreneurship. She also worked with the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) to build the capacity of community organizations and local governments for digital workforce development in rural America. Most recently, she worked closely with the North Carolina Office of Digital Equity and Literacy to implement a human centered-design research project to inform equitable device distribution across North Carolina as part of her final Master’s Project. Rachael is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Ukraine, ’18-20) and was a Paul D. Coverdell Fellow at Duke University.

Rachael has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Film/Media with Honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Masters of Public Policy from Duke University.

Shawn promotes digital equity through partnerships with governments, organizations, and the communities they serve.

Shawn is a Senior Program Manager in the Broadband and Digital Equity practice. Through her work with local and state governments, she strives to ensure that the plans and policies HR&A develops reflect the genuine needs of the communities we serve.

Before joining HR&A, Shawn led Government Relations for Human-I-T, a digital equity social enterprise where she managed engagement with federal, state, and municipal governments. She successfully obtained a contract to provide up to 3500 devices to low-income families in Los Angeles County and three CPUC CASF grants to support Human-I-T’s internet assistance work. She also secured the passage of the COVS Act in 2022. Shawn was also the Director of Operations for the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition, where she worked to double its annual revenue and grow its membership by 20%. She also worked as a Senior Policy Associate at The Sheridan Group, a nonprofit public policy consultancy. She started her political career working for Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Shawn holds a Master of Public Administration from Suffolk University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Lynn provides research and analytical support to projects ranging from equitable economic development to transit-oriented development.

Lynn is an Analyst based in HR&A’s New York City office, where she provides research and analytic support for the firm’s economic/workforce development, sustainable infrastructure, and real estate advisory practices. She advises both private and public sector clients on effective policymaking, program design, stakeholder outreach, and funding strategy decisions utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Prior to HR&A, Lynn supported regional and municipal economic development planning initiatives, in addition to working in parks and public realm design.

Lynn holds a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in Public Policy and Anthropology from the University of Chicago.

Mackenna drives HR&A’s approach to business development by integrating operational and analytical frameworks that build, measure, and expand the company’s pipeline of new work while spearheading strategic initiatives that expand our impact, such as Growth Areas.

Prior to joining HR&A, Mackenna worked as a Sr. Project Manager for the Walt Disney Company Studios. In this role as a project manager, Mackenna combined tactical execution, process improvement, and enterprise-wide alignment to increase team throughput and quantify impact. She also worked as a strategy, management, and technology consultant for Point B and PricewaterhouseCoopers. During her consulting career, she delivered multi-faceted analysis across a breadth of industries including: non-profits, media & entertainment, retail, financial services, manufacturing, and healthcare. Mackenna sold consulting services, led account relations, and codified selling behaviors for customers in the New York metropolitan area.

In addition to her consulting work, Mackenna served on a team of resource managers, where she partnered with sales leadership to prioritize inbound opportunities with available talent. Mackenna sits as a co-chair of The Bowery Mission’s Associate Board. She is responsible for fundraising, member relations, external engagement, and contribution measurement.

Mackenna holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Information Systems and Labor Management Relations from McGill University. She is human-centered design certified from the Luma Institute. Part time, Mackenna pursues her Master of Urban Planning at New York University.

Ryan harnesses data through analysis and visualization to help clients meet critical challenges and seize policy opportunities in housing and urban development.

Prior to joining HR&A, Ryan worked for The Pew Charitable Trusts’ housing policy initiative, conducting research on housing development and home financing. Whether in articles that drive coverage in leading national media outlets, presentations to state legislative committees, or comment letters to federal agencies, Ryan helps decision makers cut through the noise and get the answers they need. His interest in urban planning grew out of his years working in public health and health equity for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where he facilitated multiple strategic planning initiatives and where his data management tools supported field teams and a call center.

Ryan holds a dual Master of City Planning and Master of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Science in the Biology of Global Health from Georgetown University.