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SERVICES

ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT
Non-Profit & Business Leadership
Strategic Planning
Development and Sales
Board & Staff Diversity
Partnership Building
Multisector Engagement
Program Innovation
Communications

SUSTAINABILITY ADVISING
Program Innovation
Speaking Presentations
Workshop Facilitation
Education and Training
Action Plans

WRITING & EDITORIAL MANAGEMENT
Writing
Research
Editing
Copyediting
Editorial Management
Publishing

RESEARCH & WRITING MEDIUMS:
Books
Special Publications
Museum Exhibits
White Papers
Reports
Articles
Travel Writing
Speech Writing
Ghostwriting

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WORK


Various Publications: Write for a variety of publications and organizations on issues of sustainability, social equity, and urban planning. Here's a 2020 story about Michelle Cirocco, a restorative justice leader.

Force of Nature Solutions: Writer, editor, and media advisor. Edit and help write OpEds, community disaster relief guides, and other public and media materials for this disaster relief company that helps communities after natural disasters. Advise on media outreach strategies.

Vessel magazine: Writer: write in-print and online stories. Here’s a recent first-person piece about Asheville’s River Arts District, post-Hurricane Helene. Business Advisor: provide strategic guidance on advertising, distribution, and partnership opportunities for this quarterly print and online magazine. Developed targeted goals for geographic expansion throughout the South, along with detailed strategies and actionable plans to achieve them.

The Olson Company: The Olson Company is a Southern California residential housing developer focused on in-town, walkable, and transit-adjacent developments, at or below market rate. We facilitated the production of special publication In Town Living about the company’s work amidst the California housing crisis. We advised the company on publication print style and the publishing process; managed editorial, writing, editing, and proofreading; hired and managed relationships with contractors (second writer, designer, and printer/mail house); and conducted several interviews and wrote stories, including a Q&A with Former California Governor Gray Davis.

Momentum Bike Clubs: Based in Greenville, SC, MBC gets more than 300 under-served middle school and high school students a year onto road bikes and, through rigorous exercise, supportive mentorship, and peer bonding, the kids learn new skills, form friendships, raise their self-esteem, feel more welcome on the region’s urban trails, and even become public speakers and land jobs at trailside businesses. We were hired for a three-month contract to expand MBC’s development, fundraising, and marketing efforts. From March–May 2024, in partnership with the executive director, we: recommended priority actions through May; created a fundraising campaign; created a new and expanded development database, 2024 prospect list, new donor and sponsorship levels, donor thank you protocol and templates, and the organization’s first two e-newsletters; expanded social media structure and followers; landed television and podcast interviews; updated website content; and, overall, led development and marketing efforts. Although not contracted to do so, we landed more than $5,500 in individual and business donations and sponsorships within one week, most of them on-going partnerships.

Jadex, Inc. (staff position): Helped lead sustainability efforts for this private equity-owned corporation with four operating companies across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.K. Co-facilitated Alltrista’s EcoVadis Silver Medal win, placing it in the top 7% among industry peers and top 12% of 100,000+ rated companies. Facilitated the EcoVadis assessments for Artazn, LifeMade, and Shakespeare Co., co-wrote the second ESG Report, responded to customer sustainability questionnaires, and recommended and helped land company commitment to the Science Based Target Initiative. Initiated and managed Scope 3 efforts, from data collection to supplier outreach planning. Assisted departments with sustainability-related issues, from product material research to communications.

The Sustainability Institute: Served as the consulting director of development for this Charleston nonprofit. Provided strategic advising for fundraising and development, marketing and communications, and some operations. Assessed organizational needs and created a Strategic Plan guide, 2023 Work Plan, Marketing Plan, and Development Plan. Helped launch new initiatives and land business donations and sponsorships.

California Organizations: Conducted in-depth research and developed communication materials about Covid prevention, treatments, mandates, legislation, and censorship.

Panamint Valley Limestone: Wrote and developed a business development brochure for a proposed limestone kiln near Death Valley. The project, now approved, is a critical infrastructure project that repurposes a brownfield site, sustainably processes waste, water, and energy through green technologies, and contributes to in-state growth and employment while helping California reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Long Beach Business Journal: Served as the Interim CEO and Publisher of the LBBJ and the special publications of its parent company, South Coast Publishing. Managed all business matters, including strategy, finances, administration, human resources, advertising, marketing, partnerships, design, photography, printing, and distribution. Diversified coverage and grew online and social media presence. Created employee handbook of policies and procedures. Integrated sustainability into some operations (i.e., cleaning products, drinking water system, newly hired contractors) and expanded sustainability news coverage and special publication content. Negotiated the sale of the business while retaining staff and contractors.

The New Long Beach Civic Center: Researched, authored, and edited a magazine-style book about the new Long Beach Civic Center multi-block development and its unique business model and green architectural, public space, and transportation design. Interviewed more than 30 civic and design leaders. Published by South Coast Publishing. Interviewed for the Long Beach Business Podcast, Episode 14.

Able ARTS Work: Provided development, fundraising, event planning, and event promotion consulting for this arts non-profit that works with children and adults with different abilities.

Energize California (staff position): Directed the Orange County efforts for Energize California, the state's fourth Regional Energy Innovation Cluster, which sought to bring cleaner energy technologies to market and help grow the Southern California green business ecosystem through a $5 million grant.

California Adaptation Forum: Created and led a Downtown Long Beach walking tour about the intersection of public art, placemaking, walkable and bikeable communities, climate resiliency and sustainable economic development. Organized environmental art into the conference via live painting and a hands-on zine-making station.

Arts Council for Long Beach (staff position): Directed communications, partnerships, media, marketing, and creative placemaking programs. Created and managed programs, budgets, policies, and procedures. Kick-started a new public mural program, partnering with diverse council districts and neighborhood groups, including facilitating a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) biodiversity public art project. Sat on neighborhood public art juries and working groups, including for the Downtown Long Beach Associates’ asphalt art projects and several neighborhood mural programs. Helped reposition the organization and its annual event to align with the mayor’s office and the city’s economic development and diversity goals. Conducted all planning for annual event and exceeded past development and fundraising goals. Strengthened political and grassroots alliances and co-wrote winning grants. Wrote and edited website, marketing pieces, press releases, ‘Art Matters’ biweekly newspaper column, and speeches. Initiated staff, board, and programmatic diversity efforts. Supervised employees and interns. Supported the executive director with organizational strategy and development.

Downtown Long Beach Associates: Hired by this Business Improvement District to create a vision for transforming a prominent but walled-off downtown corner lot into active use. Wrote a white paper entitled Activating Victory Park about the importance of turning the space into a thriving pocket park, including best practices to ensure success. The paper was presented to the Board and then City Council, both voting unanimously to move forward with the suggested plan.

City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office: When key elements of the City of L.A.’s MyFig complete streets project reached a standstill and evoked media controversy, I pitched and co-facilitated a summit between businesses, advocates, elected officials, and City staff to reach agreement and move the project forward.

City of Long Beach, Office of Sustainability: Created a brochure about citywide environmental initiatives – advised on concept, collected metrics, and wrote all text.

Bike Nation USA: Recruited as the general manager of the Long Beach bike share program, then in the planning stages, to help design and promote the system. Created and led bike tour for 75 TED speakers and attendees.

Contributing Transportation Writer:
League of American Bicyclists’ magazine The Bicyclist – Bicycle-Friendly Business Districts (January 2013)
Transportation Issues Daily – What’s Working at the Newest Bike-Friendly Business District (November 2012)
Transportation Issues Daily – Emerging Trend: Bicycle-Friendly Business Districts (2012)
Transportation Issues Daily – Nine Reasons to Create a Bicycle-Friendly Business District (2012)
PedalLove – Bikes Mean Business column (October 2011–September 2012)

Sustainable Transportation & Placemaking Spokesperson and Advisor: Hired by public and private organizations around the U.S. and Canada to speak at conferences, give presentations and trainings, conduct workshops, facilitate conversations, give media interviews, create strategic plans, and consult about the economic and social benefits of active transportation and placemaking for business districts and successful communication engagement approaches, particularly around Bicycle Friendly Business Districts and how ‘Bikes Mean Business.’ Successfully helped integrate the business case for bicycling into the North American bicycle movement and prioritize the working class and children in transportation planning. Served as the business outreach lead for numerous planning projects. Interviewed for more than 100 media articles/news segments. Helped inspire more women and mothers to ride bicycles. Advised on the intersection between transportation and placemaking and advised on parks planning, public art, and other integrated projects. Approx. six months of this multi-year work was in-house at Alta Planning + Design.

Long Beach Bicycle-Friendly Business District Program: Facilitated the continent’s first Bicycle-Friendly Business District program for the City of Long Beach and wrote a blueprint for other cities to follow, including recommended policies and procedures. Worked with city and county agencies, four business districts, diverse business owners, and other community members to tailor program specifics to each neighborhood. Managed the project from start to finish, including the technical aspects, outreach, promotion, sponsorship, and events. Conceptualized and curated unique events, including a community bike ride and lunch in Cambodia Town with band Dengue Fever, a bike tour and book party with noted planner Mia Birk, free professional bike portraits during art walks, free maintenance workshops, and more. Created ‘Bike Saturdays’, a program that gave bicyclists discounts at more than 100 local businesses, which, for two years, was the largest bike customer discount program in North America.

Arts Council for Long Beach: Conceptualized and curated two zero-waste events on urban gardening and bilingual performance art in an underutilized public space called ‘A Lot’ with a new public art installation, ‘Chantilly Clad’. Programming included community plantings, take-home planter boxes, seed bombs, composting, breakdancing, eco art workshops, live music, bike valets, Korean tacos, public art collaboration, and sponsored water from Boxed Water Is Better.

Passerelle Investment Company: Advised this Silicon Valley real estate investment firm about placemaking best practices and wrote white papers for local government consideration about how to best design, manage, and activate urban parks and plazas, transform blighted corners into pocket parks, and create vertical gardens, parklets, bicycle-friendly business districts, and creative crosswalks. The efforts resulted in implementation.

South Coast Publishing, Inc.: Managed the editorial for Long Beach Water Department’s and Port of Long Beach’s centennial publications. Contributed articles to other special publications, including The Olson Company’s “In Town Living” magazine. Broadened the Long Beach Business Journal’s coverage by pitching and writing articles on architecture, urban planning, environmental issues, and arts and culture.

Downtown Long Beach Associates: Interviewed the organization’s 30 board members and wrote website bios.

Claremont Village Square & Hotel Casa 425: As the PR and media consultant, I garnered media coverage emphasizing the Square’s community open space, public fountain, and public art; and the boutique hotel’s gourmet vegan muffins from a local bakery, free guest bikes, and its transit- and pedestrian-friendly location. Landed travel articles about the city of Claremont in national newspapers and magazines and a Huell Howser episode about the Folk Music Center.

Claremont Museum of Art & Claremont Packing House: Directed the communications, marketing, and media strategy for the new museum (a Packing House tenant), created the strategy and budget, managed all marketing programs and subcontractors, participated in staff meetings and presented to the board. Publicized the green renovation of the historic Packing House and its transformation into a community hotspot. Set up press conferences, secured two CNN Headline News segments, and landed a Huell Howser show and several articles in high-profile regional and national publications.

Truly Wize Organic Bakery: Advised the bakery on strategic marketing and website promotion.

Exhibit IQ: Researched and wrote two traveling, green museum exhibits, CSI: Crime Scene Insects and Glow: Living Lights, which traveled to major natural history museums throughout North America from 2004–10.

Urban Place Consulting Group, Inc.: Served as the team’s communications and marketing specialist, attending client meetings around the U.S. Wrote From Open Spaces to Vital Places (a paper about activating parks), company business proposals, marketing pieces, and client newsletters and brochures.

Figueroa Corridor Partnership: Directed communications, marketing, and media for this business improvement district. Created the marketing and media strategy, landed the district’s first Urban Land Institute event, produced the quarterly newsletter, redesigned and managed the website, and presented annually to the board of directors. Pitched media stories that positioned the district as an innovative, mixed-use neighborhood, and secured significant coverage on transit-oriented developments, pedestrian-friendly urban design, and green roofs.

Prior to founding her consultancy in 2003, April held these staff positions:

Vetmark – Marketing and Communications Director: Led client marketing and communications, created online, email, print, and press material content, and handled most client interaction and some sales.

Smithsonian Institution – Event Coordinator: Planned and staffed meetings and events for the Secretary, Board of Regents (the Chief Justice and members of Congress), National Board (elected officials and major donors) and special events honoring VIPs, such as Coretta Scott King and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Interacted regularly with politicians and celebrities. Evacuated our office of 15 on September 11th.

Downtown Berkeley Association – Marketing Director: Recruited to manage the organization in the absence of an executive director, work closely with the board of directors, manage the annual blues festival, supervise staff and consultants, and create the website, newsletter, a marketing plan and budget, and policies and procedures.

Downtown Berkeley Library Association – Development Associate: In this two-person office, I assisted the executive director with a $3.2 million capital campaign and managed everything fundraising and administration-related other than large donor asks, including writing donor pitches and board of director materials.

Long Beach Business Journal – Journalist: Pitched and wrote the Journal’s first stories on public art, urban planning, architecture, and sustainability.

 

 
 
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PUBLICATIONS

In Town Living: A special publication on The Olson Company’s work amidst the California housing crisis, focused on in-town, walkable, and transit-adjacent development, at or below market rate. (2024)

The New Long Beach Civic Center: Soft-cover book about a new multi-block development, emphasizing its unique financing model and sustainable architecture, engineering, and urban planning. (2019)

Activating Victory Park: White paper about transforming one of Long Beach’s main intersections from one of blight to vitality. Long Beach City Council voted unanimously to approve the project. (2015)

Green Octopus Blog: Wrote blog on diverse sustainability and green business topics. (2011–13)

Creating Bicycle-Friendly Business Districts: This is one of six chapters in Choose Health LA’s ‘Bicycle-Friendly Communities: Lessons From Los Angeles County’ publication. (2012)

Vertical Gardens in Downtown Spaces: White paper on creating vertical gardens in downtown centers to improve air quality, safety, and walkability. (2012)

Parklets & Creative Crosswalks: Affordable Solutions for Walkable Downtowns: White paper and how-to guide about the benefits of parklets and creative crosswalks in urban centers. (2011)

Crescent Moon and Bold As Love: Two poems published in Bixby Knolls’ annual poetry magazine. (2010)

Pocket Parks: Bringing Nature to the City: White paper about the importance of creating small parks in urban centers and the healing benefits of nature. (2010)

From Open Spaces to Vital Places: White paper about transforming vacant lots into thriving parks. (2009)

The Temple of Hip-Hop: A large-scale photograph published in Orlo’s Bear Deluxe art magazine of a Spanish Harlem graffiti mural by artist Hector. (2002)

 

HONORS & AWARDS

Awarded Writing Residency with scholarship, Craigardan: Craigardan is an interdisciplinary artist residency program supporting a small number of artists and writers each year on its working farm in Upstate New York. (2020)

Enterprise Vanguard Award Semifinalist, Presidio Graduate School: This award recognizes alumni who have achieved broad-based sustainability impact in business, the nonprofit sector, and/or government. Alumni are nominated each year by peers and faculty, there are five semifinalists, and one is awarded. (2017)

Women in Transportation award, California Legislature (2016)

Profiled and quoted in Yvonne Bambrick’s book The Urban Cycling Survival Guide (2015)

Profiled and quoted in Los Altos History Museum’s Pedal Power exhibit (2014)

Profiled and quoted in Elly Blue’s book Bikenomics: How Bicycling Can Save The Economy (2013)

Industry Innovator to Watch, Bicycling Magazine (2013)

Go Long Beach award, Long Beach Mayor’s Office (2013)

Featured in Jax Bicycling Center’s Wall Calendar, July (2013)

Steward of the Second District award, City of Long Beach (2012)

Focus of a City of Copenhagen study where Bicycle Program Manager Andreas Rohl won a grant to visit Long Beach and San Diego to study bicycle-friendly business districts (2012)

40 Under 40 award, Long Beach Post (2012)

Highest Honors in History, College Honors, and Community Service Award, University of California at Santa Cruz (1997)


PRO BONO WORK/COMMUNITY SERVICE

Greenville Skatepark Foundation (2024): Advisor

San Anselmo (2021–22): Transformed a parking strip from an unsightly dumping ground into a thriving herb and native plant garden with a ‘Communitree’

Draper Organic Farm (2021): Farmhand

African American History publications (2020): Helped edit articles and a book about 19th and 20th century African American history in Washington, DC

Beach Clean-Ups (2017–2020): Led small group clean-ups for teens

Long Beach Community Groups (2020): Early strategic systems volunteer for a few community groups around 2020 lockdown food security

Kiss the Ground (2017): Strategic plan and feature film peer advisor

Long Beach Transit (2014-2017): City of Long Beach Board Commissioner, appointed by mayor

Long Beach Business Symposium, “The Unexpected Benefits of Creating Sustainable Businesses” (2016): Speaker

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia’s Transition Team (2014): Recruited to 20-member advisory team to advise on sustainable transportation and urban planning

California State University Long Beach Climate Change Symposium (2014): Speaker

Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (2013-2014): Board Member and Board Development Chair - spearheaded board diversity efforts, expanded LACBC programs into Long Beach, landed $10,000 sponsorship for bike light giveaway program in 10 low-income neighborhoods - largest in program’s history, curated and led architectural, cultural, and local food bike tours for adults and children

Green Prix Long Beach (April 2013): Organized bike elements into this green event

Long Beach Chamber of Commerce (2012): Economic Development Strategic Plan Community Advisor

30 Women to Watch (2012): Judge

TEDxSoCal Marketing Committee (2012): Member

New York Times (2012): Insider tour guide to NYT Travel Writer for “36 Hours: Long Beach, Calif.” feature

Developed and led placemaking and sustainable design tours to media, conference-goers and colleagues (2011-2016)

Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference (2011-2012): Host Committee Member & Women’s Bicycling Summit Steering Committee

An Evening With Mia Birk (2011): Speaker Recruiter and Event Organizer

PARK(ing) Day Long Beach (2011): Bicycle Coordinator and Promoter 

Long Beach Retro Row Parklets (2011): Advisor

Riding Bikes with the Dutch film (2010): Social Media Advisor

San Francisco Planning & Urban Research (2010): Stakeholder Engagement Advisor

City of Berkeley, Office of Sustainability (2009-2010): Sustainability Metrics Developer

Natural Capital Solutions (2009): Sustainable Business Researcher & Writer

Claremont Sustainable City Task Force (2007-2008): Member, and Sustainable City Plan Contributor

South Coast Publishing (2004): Interior Architectural Daylighting Designer

Ecoshack (2004): Helped publicize the design lab’s creative offsite facility in Joshua Tree as well as its international Green Tent Competition through a targeted mail and phone campaign to eco-minded corporate leaders

Bear Deluxe Magazine - a Portland, OR-based environmental art publication (2003): Public Relations & Marketing Advisor

Organic Farm and Dairy Farm in Co. Kerry, Ireland (2000): WWOOF farm volunteer

West County Toxics Coalition - a Richmond, CA-based environmental justice non-profit (1997-1999): Board Member

Ecology Center (1998-1999): Event Planner for large annual event

Coalition on Homelessness (1997): Computer Tutor

Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History (1996): Research Assistant to Smithsonian Fellow and Georgetown Professor Maurice Jackson for his book Let This Voice Be Heard: Anthony Benezet, Father of Atlantic Abolitionism

Kuumbwa Jazz Center (1995): Volunteer

Books Not Bars, UCSC (1994): Organizing Committee Member and Demonstrator. Faculty Sponsor – History of Consciousness Professor Angela Davis.

Building Bridges Camp (1993): Anti-racism camp counselor

Anti-Racism School Activist, Woodrow Wilson High School (1992–93): Lobbied the administration to change racist tracking and communications

Environmental Club, Woodrow Wilson High School (1992–93): Vice President, helped create the school’s first recycling program

Suicide Prevention Peer Counselor, Woodrow Wilson High School (1992–93): Recruited to serve as a peer counselor for suicidal teens

 
 
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 COMPLETE STREETS CONSULTING

April Economides has helped create bicycle-friendly business district and placemaking programs around the U.S. and Canada. She is hired to speak, facilitate workshops, write action plans, advise on implementation, and otherwise advise multiple sectors on these and related issues.

  • APWA Technology and Complete Streets Conference (April 2015): Speaker

  • Live Ride Share – Economic Development panelist at SoCal’s First Shared Use Mobility Conference (February 2015): Speaker

  • Atlanta Perimeter Community Improvement Districts Business Forum (October 2014): Presenter and panelist

  • Silicon Valley Bike Summit (2014): “Business and Bikes: How the Corporate World Can Move the Needle on Biking” presenter and panelist, alongside leaders from Google, LinkedIn and Stanford

  • ProWalk, ProBike, ProPlace conference (2014): Pecha Kucha presentation “Landing Business Support for Walk- And Bike-Friendly Communities: It’s Possible!”

  • Canmore, Alberta (2013–14): Speaking presentations, workshop, action plan, and implementation consulting

  • Palm Springs, CA (2013–14): Speaking presentations, workshop, and action plan

  • Bike Walk Montana Conference (March 2014): Pre-conference workshop and conference speaking presentation

  • Culver City, CA (2014): Speaking presentation to mayor, other elected officials and business leaders

  • Tucson, AZ (2013): Speaking presentations to city council, parking commission, and the public

  • International Downtown Association World Conference (2013): Panel speaking presentation

  • Tacoma, WA (2013): Speaking presentation, workshop, and action plan

  • Orange County Healthy Communities Forum (February 2014)

  • Calgary, AB – Two, multi-day trips of workshops, presentations, outreach and media interviews (June & November 2013)

  • National Association of Latino Elected Officials Annual Conference (June 2013)

  • Boise State University, ID (May 2013)

  • Leadership Long Beach (May 2013)

  • Salt Lake City, UT (May 2013)

  • University of Wisconsin–Madison (April 2013)

  • League of American Bicyclists Summit (March 2013)

  • Oakville, Ontario (April 2012 presentation, March 2013 workshop)

  • Kingston Bike Summit & Forum (March 2013)

  • Region of Niagara, Ontario (2012-13): Bike Summit speaking presentation, workshop, and Bicycle-Friendly Business District Guidebook

  • Eugene, OR (February 2013)

  • Vancouver, BC (November 2012)

  • Mobility 21’s 11th Annual Southern California Transportation Summit (September 2012)

  • Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference (September 2012)

  • Alliance for Biking & Walking 2012 Leadership Retreat (September 2012)

  • San Diego, CA (September 2012): Created a Bike-Friendly Business District plan for the San Diego Business Improvement District Council’s 17 business districts and San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and advised on implementation

  • San Jose, CA (August 2012)

  • Miami, FL (July 2012)

  • Carlsbad, CA (July 2012)

  • Green Long Beach Festival (June 2012)

  • Ontario Bicycle Summit (April 2012)

  • San Diego Bicycle Summit Panelist (March 2012)

  • League of American Bicyclists Summit (March 2012)

  • Pomona, CA (February 2012)

  • Lynwood, CA (February 2012)

  • San Diego, CA (January 2012)

  • Los Altos, CA (November 2011)

  • Presidio Graduate School (November 2011)

  • 2011 California Bike Summit (November 2011)

  • Green Festival L.A. (October 2011)

  • Creating a Bicycle Friendly LA County Summit (September 2011)

  • Moving Planet: A Day to Move Beyond Fossil Fuels (September 2011)

  • HerWorld Conference (November 2010)

  • City of Long Beach Dept. of Public Works (2010-2012): Designed, managed, and implemented the nation’s first Bike-Friendly Business District (BFBD) program in partnership with four business districts. Engaged the districts about the economic benefits of bicycling and turned some skeptics into supporters. Managed programs, budgets, implementation, outreach and promotions. Wrote the BFBD toolkit for L.A. County.

Media Coverage:

 
 
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ABOUT

April Economides is a healthy communities consultant with over two decades of experience at the intersection of sustainability, placemaking, active transportation and local economic development throughout North America. As an advisor, writer, speaker, workshop facilitator and program innovator, she has played a pivotal role in the creation of successful pocket parks, parklets, public art programs, bicycle-friendly business districts and other nature- and human-centric places to foster individual, communal and planetary health. Her work has received significant media attention and recognition.

April is passionate about helping people of all ages and backgrounds move more outdoors – such as walking, bicycling, skating, yoga, dancing, gardening and other expressions of healthy human living – and guiding cross-sector partnerships to create places that support these essential life components.

In her spare time, you can find her exploring historic and architecturally rich neighborhoods, hiking to waterfalls, backyard farming, or planning her next micro-adventure.

EDUCATION

MBA in Sustainable Management, Presidio Graduate School: Teaching Assistant to Professors Hunter Lovins, Gil Friend, and Marsha Willard. Helped develop sustainability metrics for the City of Berkeley. Wrote 25-page macroeconomics research paper on the triple bottom line benefits of vertical gardens. Helped lead eight team projects, including a marketing plan for the City of Berkeley’s Climate Action Plan, the business plan for a green business corporate consultancy, and a split incentive operational plan for a commercial real estate firm. Gave the school's first student presentation on green collar jobs, pitched the idea of Van Jones speaking at our school, and helped recruit him. (2010)

Bachelors of Arts in History, University of California, Santa Cruz: History Highest Honors, College Honors, and Community Service Award. Emphases: African American History, Urban Studies, and Environmental History. Intern, Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History: research assistant to Smithsonian Fellow and Georgetown Professor Maurice Jackson for his book Let This Voice Be Heard: Anthony Benezet, Father of Atlantic Abolitionism. Volunteer youth art instructor in the city’s main barrio. (1997)

Professional Certificates:
GRI Certified Sustainability Professional, Global Reporting Initiative (2023)
Fundraising Essentials Certificate, NonProfit Ready (2022)
Innovation in Ecological Design and Construction, City of Portland (2002)

University Classes & Professional Workshops
Sustainable Agriculture, Trident Technical College (2022)
Climate Solutions, Project Drawdown (2021)
Regenerative Gardening, Kiss the Ground (2019)
Restorative Justice, California Conference for Equality and Justice (2018)
Permaculture Design, The Permaculture Academy (2017)
Latin American Architecture, Cal Poly Pomona (2006)
Sustainability Now! Workshop Series, Ecotrust (2002)
Misc. non-profit management workshops (1998-2001)

Woodrow Wilson High School: Building Bridges anti-racism camp counselor, suicide peer counselor, recycling program co-creator, Environmental Club vice president, dance team. (1993)

Languages: English (native); and Spanish (conversational).



KIND WORDS

“I have worked with April since 2011 on a variety of projects related to transportation planning and urban placemaking. Her background in economic development, green business and business improvement districts lends important perspective to these efforts. Most recently, I hired her to advise on and write a best practices paper about how to turn a blighted corner lot into a thriving pocket park. The city council voted unanimously on the recommendation, and we continue to use her paper as the implementation guide for the park. April is an asset to creative visioning and strategic planning efforts. I highly value her expertise!”
Sean Warner, Placemaking Manager, Downtown Long Beach Associates

“After having the pleasure of serving with April as board members for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, I was impressed with her many contributions to the organization. A few that stick with me the most include how she helped strategically align the organization into diversifying the board and staff. She also took great strides to grow membership and help expand the organization into Long Beach. She took initiative and is an innovative thinker and active team-player. April is also an effective communicator with the utmost professionalism. She was a pleasure to work with!”
Caryn Howard, Human Resources professional

“I've been continually impressed with April's professionalism, and community-centered work. She is a connector, a champion for many things that make a community vibrant, from the arts to bike advocacy. I think she considers each relationship to be an asset, which can become more valuable when mutual partnerships are formed. If you have the pleasure of working with her I trust it will be worth your while.”
DW Ferrell, CEO of Localight, Inc.

“April served on the City of Claremont Sustainability Task Force and helped to create the Claremont Sustainable City Plan. As the lead staff person for this effort, I really appreciated April’s hard work. Her knowledge regarding public relations, strong writing skills, attention to detail and enthusiasm were extremely valuable to the effort. The plan has been adopted as official City policy by the City Council. Based on this experience, I strongly recommend April for work in the areas of environmental policy, business, marketing and government.”
Chris Veirs, Senior Planner/Sustainability Coordinator at City of Claremont 

“April balances critical thinking and asking tough questions with genuine empathy and concern for the well being of those she works with. She has a knack for identifying, encouraging, and leveraging the strengths of others, and naturally assumes a leadership role in managing projects. She is an incredibly hard worker, is always striving, and has a remarkable sense of purpose and integrity.”
Carly Smolak, Project Manager at Harmless Harvest

“As Hunter Lovins' Senior Consultant at Natural Capitalism Solutions, I had the pleasure of supervising some of April's work as a sustainable business intern. I found her bright, personable, capable, well-qualified, meticulous, and sincerely dedicated to her work. She worked diligently on difficult research such as landlord/tenant split incentives, and correlating property values to climate solutions. Her work products were thorough, well-documented, and well-written. If you have an opportunity to work with her, I would urge you to take it -- you'd be lucky to be on the same team with April!”
Paul Sheldon, Senior Consultant at Natural Capitalism Solutions

 
 
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CONTACT