Kirthi brings her background in research, geospatial analysis, and data science to support our inclusive cities, housing affordability, and transit-oriented development practice areas.

Prior to joining HR&A, Kirthi served as a research assistant at Columbia University, where her work focused on developing a computer vision tool to empower planners to leverage street view imagery, commerce data, and geospatial analytics for the ethnographic study of enclaves in major US cities. During her time at the Center for Spatial Research, she focused on leveraging data to uncover valuable insights and inform evidence-based decision-making, and translated complex data sets into visualizations that effectively communicated information to diverse stakeholders. At SOM, she contributed to urban planning and design initiatives alongside the New York and Washington D.C. teams. Additionally, she gained valuable experience during internships at architectural firms in India and Japan while pursuing her undergraduate degree while also freelancing as a UI/UX designer.

Kirthi holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Anna University.

Ella Brady advises public and private sector clients on advancing equity and innovation in government systems. She develops strategies to foster vibrant digital ecosystems across states, counties, cities and communities.

Ella specializes in orchestrating stakeholder engagement initiatives, analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data, and drafting comprehensive plans and reports. Ella is a Senior Analyst in the Broadband and Digital Equity practice at HR&A, focusing on both increasing broadband adoption across all populations and innovating how we bring digital equity to affordable housing across States. Ella’s recent work includes managing stakeholder engagement for the Massachusetts Digital Equity Plan and supporting the design of affordable housing broadband retrofit programs in multiple states.

Ella comes to HR&A with a background in regional planning for digital equity, having worked on the Digital Access team at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council while studying as a Master’s candidate in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning at Tufts University. Prior to her work at MAPC, Ella was a Mayoral Fellow for Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot in the City of Chicago, as well as Tisch Fellow at the MassHousing Finance Agency during her undergraduate studies at Tufts. Ella grew up in Evanston, Illinois and also focuses on projects within the Greater Chicago region.

A native Washingtonian Lea brings 10 years of administrative background from assisting with high-ranking government officials to tech, and small business in previous roles.

Lea manages the DC office while also overseeing our North Carolina, and Atlanta offices. From managing calendars, travel arrangements, and whatever other admins’ needs come her way while keeping the office intact!

As a director based in the Los Angeles office, Alex is advising state and local governments on planning, strategy, and inclusive stakeholder engagement for historic, federally-funded broadband infrastructure and digital equity initiatives.

Previously, he created and led the SF Digital Equity Initiative at the City and County of San Francisco, bringing free fiber Internet and digital skills training to low-income and public housing residents throughout the city. In this role, he also coordinated connectivity projects for the city’s pandemic response and served as staff on the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force and Emerging Technology Working Group.

In the nonprofit sector, he has served in various director roles at the Asian Youth Center, overseeing operations and programs at a community-based organization serving immigrant and system-involved youth and families across Los Angeles County. He supported the organization’s expanding work in youth-led advocacy, employment, community health, restorative justice, and addressing anti-Asian hate.

Earlier in his career, Alex managed digital transformation projects internationally at the Asia Foundation and directed a college outreach project at UCLA. He holds a Master of Public Policy degree from UC Berkley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA.

As a member of HR&A’s Growth Team, Belema supports strategic communications by leveraging storytelling to advance the company’s growth and impact.

Prior to joining HR&A, Belema worked with the 100 Black Men of Greater Washington D.C. While there, she developed and implemented initiatives that support the development of social, emotional, and educational needs of African American youth in the metropolitan area. She also worked with Future Now Action and Clean Cities Coalition. Her previous roles ignited a passion for storytelling through communication channels to promote company growth and prosperity. Her work is rooted in philanthropy and giving back, and she particularly enjoys mentoring and community engagement.

Belema is an honors graduate of Howard University where she received her Bachelors in Strategic, Legal & Management Communications. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and learning new skills.

Sori leverages data-driven insights to transform real estate and affordable housing visions into actionable strategies that build stronger, more equitable communities.

Based in HR&A’s New York office, she combines thorough analytical skills with deep policy awareness to lead housing market and real estate analyses for clients nationwide. Utilizing analytical tools such as Python, Excel, and ArcGIS, she provides clients with clear, actionable insights into local market dynamics, development feasibility, and strategic policy recommendations.

Prior to joining HR&A, Sori worked with the Public Space Unit at the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), supporting the evaluation and expansion of the Open Streets program citywide. She co-developed a data-driven evaluation tool to identify priority investment areas for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and collaborated with local stakeholders to optimize resource allocation.

Sori holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography Education from Ewha Womans University in South Korea and a Master of Urban Planning, with a concentration in Urban Analytics, from Columbia University GSAPP.

Alexandra (Lexi) joins HR&A’s GPO team in NYO and brings nine years of administrative experience ranging from immigration to the fashion industry.

Lexi has interned with Betsy Johnson-fashion house, as a production intern specializing in the international market. Soon after, Lexi worked with the Wholesale company Liu Sun Enterprises, specializing in soft accessories and swimwear for the likes of Tory Burch, Coach and Marc Jacobs.

In addition to her professional experiences, Lexi is a graduate of the University of New Haven and a founding sister of the University of New Haven chapter of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.

Moira works closely with studio management and employees to improve work relationships, build career development, and increase productivity and retention of employees at HR&A Advisors.

As a Talent Manager based in HR&A’s DC Office (DCO), Moira partners with assigned studio leadership to support the full human resources (HR) lifecycle. Moira coaches partners, project managers, and consultants on HR policies/procedures, onboarding/offboarding, project assignments, performance issues, and professional growth. Moira also leads firmwide learning and development initiatives and supports firmwide culture initiatives.

Moira has over 20 years of professional experience managing projects, events, people, and budgets in higher education institutions, a trade association, and a commercial real estate firm. Previously, Moira career coached over 1,500 graduate students and alumni and led an international affairs research center at Georgetown University. Moira’s human resources management graduate capstone project focused on improving performance evaluations in partnership with the Bureau of Global Talent Management with the U.S Dept. of State.

Moira holds a Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Human Resources Management from Georgetown University, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Johns Hopkins University in International Studies, and a certification from Gallup as a CliftonStrengths Coach. Moira holds membership with the Association for Talent Development (ATD).

Based in HR&A’s New York office, Matthew’s work centers on the intersection of economic development, real estate strategy, parks and open space planning, and climate policy for clients across the country.

Matthew brings with him prior work experience advising business improvement districts, providing economic policy consulting for municipalities, conducting policy research with community development financial institutions, and in both public and private commercial real estate. Since joining HR&A, he has:

• • Guided the allocation of over $13 million of grant funds to fund quality-of-life improvements across New York City through the New York Forward program;

  • Helped develop a programming, funding, and governance plan for the ambitious reimagination of the stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol Building to the White House into a more activated, pedestrian-friendly, and dynamic public space;

  • Supported the design and implementation of a national challenge to scale clean energy retrofits in the low- and moderate-income (LMI) housing market, designing trainings and resources for building upgrade programs to utilize as they refine their offerings;

  • Evaluated financial strategies, best practices in design, and redevelopment options for large-scale food distribution centers in New York City and Washington, D.C.;

  • Assessed the existing ecosystem and demand for energy assistance services among low-income and energy-burdened households across the State of Washington, then created strategies to improve significantly scale and improve programs to achieve equitable energy assistance and housing decarbonization;

  • Supported a new initiative coordinating national and local expertise to develop the tools, talent, and networks that will allow movement organizations, the philanthropic community, and government leaders to respond to both the humanitarian and political crises that unfold during and after moments of disaster.

  • Analyzed the budget, operating procedures, and maintenance practices of the parks department of a major city to understand spending on parks maintenance and recommend needed levels of spending to achieve a higher standard in the upcoming fiscal years.

  He holds a Master of City Planning degree and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, where he collaborated on a climate change resiliency plan for the island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands and worked with Philadelphia’s first commercial land trust on its long term growth strategy.