Dominic leads complex analyses for real estate, infrastructure, and economic development projects that create great places and shared, sustainable growth.

Based in HR&A’s New York office, Dominic blends policy and market research, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement to deeply understand the challenges clients face and find the best ways to achieve their goals. Dominic has supported transit-oriented and other real estate strategies for governments at the local, regional, and statewide levels across the United States. For example, he was an analytical lead for NJ TRANSIT’s LAND Plan, which quantified the agency’s opportunity to build up to 20,000 new homes near transit statewide. He has also created funding and other implementation strategies for multimodal transportation infrastructure projects, including regional trail networks in Arkansas and Georgia, and the redevelopment of transit hubs like New York Penn Station, Chicago Union Station, and San Jose Diridon Station.

Dominic is also deeply invested in supporting Chinatowns, including supporting the $20 million Strategic Investment Plan for Manhattan’s Chinatown through New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, He also co-facilitated the Second North American Chinatown Solidarity Conference, a gathering of leaders from 21 Chinatowns across the United States and Canada.

Prior to HR&A, Dominic supported market analyses for private and non-profit clients at another consultancy, was the lead author of a white paper on the equity effects of New York City’s Covid-19 outdoor dining policy at New York University, and was a commercial litigation paralegal at a law firm specializing in real estate disputes. Dominic volunteers with Welcome to Chinatown, a nonprofit supporting Manhattan Chinatown’s small businesses.

Dominic holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Swarthmore College and a Master of Urban Planning from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service. For his capstone project at New York University, Dominic led a team of graduate students in creating the Greenway Connectivity Plan on behalf of 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. The plan also laid a foundation for a subsequent feasibility study to convert the Bergen Arches (a disused sunken railway) into a new urban trail.

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

Shawn is a Principal in the Digital Opportunity 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.

Shawn leads the digital equity work for the California Department of Technology Office of Broadband and Digital Literacy. In this role, she led the development of the State’s Digital Equity Plan funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. She also supported the state in securing $70M in funding to implement that state’s plan.

Prior to 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. While with Human-I-T, she successfully secured a contract to provide up to 3500 devices to low-income families in Los Angeles County and three CPUC CASF grants. She also worked to secure passage of the COVS Act (2022) in Congress.  Shawn was also the Director of Operations for SPARC, where she doubled its annual revenue and grew 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.

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

As the lead data scientist on the HR&A Labs team, based in HR&A’s New York office, Ryan designs and manages dashboards, interactive tools, and compelling visual narratives to equip decision-makers and advocates with the evidence needed to drive impactful change.

Prior to joining HR&A, Ryan worked for The Pew Charitable Trusts’ housing policy initiative, conducting research on housing development and home financing. His interest in urban planning grew out of his years working for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where he facilitated multiple strategic public health 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.

Sierra is driven by a passion for the built environment, community, and sustainable economic development.

Sierra has spent her time with HR&A focused on governance, the knowledge economy, and transit-oriented development across the Southeast. Prior to joining HR&A, Sierra worked for the Southern Economic Advancement Project (SEAP, identifying infrastructural gaps between policy and application. Focusing on energy, watersheds, and waste management, she created a database tracking sustainable legislation in these sectors. Additionally, she paired municipal projects related to adapting and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events with funding sources. She co-produced a report that was subsequently published, identifying almost 150 plans from 38 cities across 12 Southeastern states, and created an appendix identifying 71 funding sources.

In her urban design studio at the Georgia Institute of Technology, she was on a team that partnered with the Georgia Conservancy to create a growth management plan. For this project she created a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program for a rural county and redesigned the county’s zoning map in order to encourage development along industrial corridors.

Sierra has a Bachelor of Science in Music Management and an Urban Studies Minor from the Georgia State University, and a Master of City and Regional Planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Nick Alexander is a strategic thinker in commercial real estate development and asset management, specializing in analytical and advisory services that advance inclusive, purpose-driven investment strategies.

As a Senior Analyst in HR&A’s growing Knowledge Economy Practice in Atlanta, he applies his expertise to lead initiatives that drive community revitalization and sustainable development. He works closely with stakeholders to develop innovative strategies that align economic growth with inclusive urban planning solutions.

Previously, Nick served as an Asset Manager with Trimont, where he excelled in commercial real estate loan servicing and construction administration. His cross-functional role on the Credit Administration and Asset Management Team was pivotal in completing transitional projects and spearheading community revitalization efforts both in the Atlanta market and nationwide. Before joining Trimont, Nick was a Senior Associate at SitusAMC, where he provided market research and analysis, financial modeling and analytics, and reporting and compliance services for a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate assets.

Nick is dedicated to lifelong learning and continuously expanding his expertise in commercial real estate and urban planning. He actively seeks to enhance his professional network by joining several industry organizations, where he contributes to the advancement of best practices and innovation in real estate. Nick holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia State University, with a degree in finance from the Robinson College of Business.

Sofía Araujo is a Senior Analyst at HR&A Advisors, where she supports projects related to economic development, transit-oriented development (TOD), innovation districts, and real estate strategy.

Originally from Venezuela and fluent in Spanish, she provides research and analytical support to public agencies, universities, sports teams, and mission-driven organizations as they evaluate development opportunities and advance implementation strategies. Domestically, her TOD work includes supporting the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) in developing a TOD Investment Strategy for the Baltimore region and identifying near-term, parcel-level TOD opportunities across all stations in the region. She has also contributed to a station-area study to advance joint development at Rogers Avenue Station, and supported analysis of development potential and transit-supportive land use policies along Montgomery County’s MD‑355 Bus Rapid Transit corridor. Internationally, Sofía has contributed to land value capture studies for planned transit investments in Ankara and İzmir, Türkiye, helping assess revenue opportunities associated with future rail expansion.

Sofía has also supported literature aiming to advance real estate development in Latin America, including peer-reviewing an Inter-American Development Bank publication focused on identifying market failures across real estate markets in the region. She also helped develop a Real Estate Playbook and accompanying tool designed to support local governments and development agencies in delivering public real estate projects.

Her economic and fiscal impact experience includes studies for sports and entertainment districts, arenas, parks, federal agencies, cultural districts, innovation districts, and joint development projects around transit. Her impact study portfolio has included developing a national economic impact template for the U.S. General Services Administration, conducting economic and fiscal analyses for a major sports and entertainment complex in the Washington region, and contributing to market and impact studies for the Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, SC and Origin Park.

In the innovation district space, she has supported planning and implementation for several institutions and jurisdictions, including the Birmingham Biotech Innovation District, Gateway Research Park, Cal Poly Pomona, Clark County (NV), and the Winston-Salem Innovation Quarter. Her work has included market analysis, governance strategy development, stakeholder engagement, and real estate advisory support.

Before joining HR&A, Sofía earned a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Science in International Food and Resource Economics from the University of Florida.

Jayla is driven by her passion to create equitable, sustainable change within housing and community development. Her interdisciplinary analysis, technical assistance, and policy guidance helps clients across sectors advance real estate development and urban planning efforts.

Jayla is an experienced researcher and organizer who applies a people-centric, inclusive approach to analysis, community engagement, and project management. She works primarily across HR&A’s Housing Affordability, Real Estate Development Advisory, and Inclusive Cities practices, with experience conducting feasibility studies, community outreach, impact analyses, as well as developing financial models and housing plans.

Prior to joining HR&A, Jayla interned with The Bridges Collaborative, a nationwide school and neighborhood integration project at The Century Foundation. During her internship, she reported on progressive education policy and worked with various school districts and fair housing organizations. Jayla also interned with MEF Associates where she drafted a brief to support Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program administrators. Additionally, she conducted social psychology research for several years, with a focus on assessing how perceptions of racial history influence policy support. Outside of work, Jayla teaches yoga and enjoys writing poetry and baking.

Jayla has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociopolitical Psychology and a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Virginia.

Maile drives collaboration and coordination across diverse stakeholder groups to ensure digital inclusion for all.

As a Director in the Broadband and Digital Equity practice, Maile applies her deep familiarity with United States broadband policy and funding programs to HR&A’s work expanding broadband access and adoption among underserved communities.

Maile comes to HR&A from the Microsoft Airband team, where she managed partnerships with Internet Service Providers, nonprofits, and other digital equity stakeholders, bringing four million unserved rural Americans under broadband coverage in less than five years. She also led development and publication of the Digital Equity Dashboard, designed to empower state agencies and digital equity leaders with data to guide decision making and investments. She has 15 years of experience in the digital inclusion space, including a background in youth digital skills, computer science education, and youth media production. She began her career as a Teach For America corps member, teaching middle school language arts in Phoenix, Arizona.

Maile holds a Bachelor of Arts in Romance Languages from Mount Holyoke College, a Master of Education from Arizona State University, and a Master of Philosophy in European Literature from the University of Cambridge, St. John’s College, where she was a Gates Cambridge Scholar.