Get to Know Michelle
May 4, 2023 | Interview by Emilia Charno
Celebrating finishing a half marathon!
The view from Michelle’s favorite hike in the Bay Area.
What was your journey to become a Graduate Analyst at Kyanite Partners?
I grew up in the Bay Area and came back east for college at the University of Virginia, where I studied public policy and history. As an undergraduate, I took a few planning-related courses, which was my first exposure to the field. I then went on to accept a job in technology sales in San Francisco, where I spent the subsequent four years working through a few related tech and customer success jobs. The onset of the pandemic led me to rethink my career and re-evaluate my goals, and I kept coming back to the planning coursework from my undergraduate time and a desire to do more community-oriented work. I decided to go back to school and enrolled in NYU’s urban planning program.
Since going back to school, I’ve worked as a research assistant at the NYU Rudin Center and spent a year interning with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT). These were both very fun and informative experiences. I then joined Kyanite as a Graduate Analyst in December 2022.
What motivates you? How do these motivations show up in your work at Kyanite?
I work with two core motivations. The first is a motivation to improve the world around me and make a positive impact. Here at Kyanite we have the opportunity to make a real difference for our clients and the communities that we interact with. The second is a motivation for maximizing my potential. This shows up in how I operate - I am hard-working, detail-oriented, and eager to learn and improve.
How does your work in urban planning connect with your desire to make a positive impact?
The first time I really thought about the localized nature of urban planning was during a guest lecture in college. The speaker mentioned that the best way to make a difference is to work at the most local level possible. If you think about urban planning, it’s all about decisions that impact the systems and infrastructure around you. You can tangibly improve the lives of people and communities when you work on local issues. I feel like we’re doing this in our work with the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Washington, D.C.
What is a memorable experience from your graduate coursework?
The biggest milestone of the program has been my Capstone Project, which takes the form of a 9 month consulting project. I have been working with a NYC Community Board to identify potential policies and urban design interventions to increase neighborhood connectivity and accessibility to the waterfront. Capstone has been an incredible learning experience - it’s been a deep dive into local government, community engagement, and how to work effectively as a consultant. I believe this experience has strengthened my work here at Kyanite.
What is a memorable moment you’ve had so far with a Kyanite client?
I have been supporting a client focused on worker-owned cooperatives that is exploring how to access and leverage recent federal funding opportunities presented by the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in service of historically underserved and disadvantaged communities. This project has been a crash course in federal funding. I have learned so much about green finance, renewable energy, and the tremendous impact that this funding can have on improving economic and environmental outcomes in communities across the country.
How would you describe the company culture at Kyanite?
Everyone is supportive, creative, and hard-working! Each team member brings a diverse perspective and background to the company. I’ve also really enjoyed getting to know all of my colleagues on a personal level. Kyanite is an inspiring place to work.
Who are some of the people that have been instrumental in getting you to where you are today?
My parents and my partner have been my biggest supporters and cheerleaders. They were very encouraging of my decision to go back to school and embark on a new career journey.
"If you think about urban planning, it’s all about decisions that impact the systems and infrastructure around you. You can tangibly improve the lives of people and communities when you work on local issues."
Visiting Sydney, Australia with her partner.
Hiking with family in Sonoma.
What are the places that have deeply shaped you?
San Francisco! I grew up outside of San Francisco and lived in the city for four years before I came to New York. From my time in San Francisco, I gained an appreciation for urban green spaces. I spent a lot of time going for long walks and exploring the city’s parks. It also gave me an appreciation for the role that transportation networks play in the development of cities and outcomes for neighborhoods.
What is something not many people know about you?
I ran a half marathon with my mom and one of my brothers a few years ago. None of us are runners, so this was a big accomplishment for the three of us! Generally speaking, I try to prioritize exercise and being outdoors. I love going for long walks in the city and attending fitness classes. Yoga and bootcamp classes are my favorite!
Is there anything that you’re reading or watching that’s inspiring you?
Most of my reading these days is related to my coursework, but two books I’ve read for pleasure recently are Dune and Ready Player One. I think it’s inspiring to read science-fiction because the storytelling is so creative and descriptive - it’s fun to be transported into another world.