OUR TEAM
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Brian brings more than 20 years of professional experience in the public and private. His background includes work in nonprofit management, county government, for-profit business development, policy consultation, fundraising, lobbying and reform efforts in juvenile justice, human services, health, transportation and education. Before joining the City, Brian was owner and president of the Institute on Culture and Policy, a policy consulting firm dedicated to eliminating racial and ethnic disparities through systems change and community engagement.
DIRECTOR
BRIAN SMITH
HE/HIM/HIS
612-673-2099
Passionate about public service, Jonathan brings over seven years of local government experience to his role as a Program Manager. In his time with the City of Minneapolis, he has assisted City Departments with initiatives that improve service delivery and decision making. His expertise in performance management, design thinking, public policy, strategic planning and administration are just a few of the asset he can bring to any team needing a seasoned leader to move an initiative forward. Jonathan has a Masters of Public Administration from Bowie State University and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Alcorn State University.
PROGRAM MANAGER
JONATHAN WILLIAMS-KINSEL
612-673-2827
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Gina brings her passion for social justice and improving the quality of life of marginalized communities to her work on the Performance & Innovation team. She also brings professional experience in research, writing, data analysis, and project management. Prior to joining the team, Gina worked for state and local government in the areas of racial equity, crime victim services, grant management, and chronic disease prevention. Gina holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Carleton College and a Masters of Public Health specializing in policy, administration, and health equity from the University of Minnesota.
PROGRAM MANAGER
GINA OBIRI
SHE/HER/HERS
612-673-2125
Taylor brings professional experience in data analysis, public policy, and facilitation. Prior to joining the team, Taylor worked for the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department where he oversaw data analytics for discrimination investigations to guide strategic initiatives, partnerships, and community engagement. Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Anthropology from Austin College (Sherman, TX) and a Master of Public Policy degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
PROGRAM MANAGER
TAYLOR
CROUCH-DODSON
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612-673-6105
Colleen is a strategist, analyst, and facilitator whose work sits at the nexus of data, design, and governance. She is a proud policy generalist who brings experience working with innovation-oriented teams across the US. Holding a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Acting from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master in Public Policy from UC Berkeley, Colleen’s applied work and research have centered on local government innovation, data- and design-driven public management, and reimagining civic engagement. Colleen applies her experience in the arts and public policy to promote creativity, rigorous evaluation, and equity across public-sector domains.
PLANNER ANALYST
COLLEEN PULAWSKI
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Mariesha is an analyst, creative, and user experience advocate who designs systems and services that center historically marginalized populations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Duke University and a Master of Science in Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mariesha specializes in accessible, sustainable approaches to data analytics, visual design, and community engagement. Mariesha's previous role supporting low-income, first-generation students as a college adviser sparked her interest in data-informed, human-centered design.
PLANNER ANALYST
MARIESHA MCADOO
SHE/HER/HERS
