Asha Bazil

Director

Asha develops equitable, innovative, and future-ready infrastructure in collaboration with public and private stakeholders.

She helps public actors, and the residents they serve, benefit from emerging technologies – from energy storage systems, to fixed-wireless internet service, to artificial intelligence tools. Asha is supporting Maine in the implementation of a State-wide program to help communities leverage underutilized energy infrastructure to advance economic activity and create family-sustaining jobs connected to clean energy uses. She co-authored a study on the availability of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in New York City, demonstrating the ways in which NYC stakeholders can collaborate to reduce emissions from for-hire-vehicle fleets. Asha also worked with ConEdison to assess the efficacy of building envelope upgrade incentive programs.

Asha leads the development of digital equity and broadband infrastructure strategies for a range of clients, from cities and states, to philanthropies, to mission-driven internet service providers. Together with Methodist HealthCare Ministries, she designed and launched a $22M digital equity grant program that will directly impact over 100,000 residents in South Texas. She has most recently supported the City of Chicago in releasing its first Neighborhood Broadband Request for Proposal to bring affordable, quality internet service to underserved residents. Asha also partners with Results for America to design and facilitate training programs to help city staff responsibly deploy and govern artificial intelligence.

Prior to HR&A, Asha supported the Philadelphia Navy Yard in the development of a new master plan, as well as their first Smart Cities plan. She has worked in creative and cultural industry planning, including leading the spatial analysis for a GIZ-sponsored pandemic recovery plan for creative industries in African and Middle Eastern cities. Before planning, Asha worked in advertising technology helping companies optimize their data governance strategies. Asha has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Affairs from the George Washington University and a Master of City and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, where she received the Smart Cities Award from the School of Design.