UC Berkeley graduate with a background in architecture and city planning looking for full time opportunities in real estate development, asset management, or community and economic development. See my work at www.leslievalencia.com.
Leslie Valencia Consulting, San Francisco, CA, US, Consultant
Research Methods
Consult clients in developing the appropriate methodologies for gathering impactful data. Services performed include survey design, stakeholder outreach, focus groups, interviews, secondary data analysis, literature reviews, data mining and research project management.
Data Analytics
Perform qualitative and quantitative data analysis on primary and secondary data and prepare simple, yet compelling, visual and written summaries.
Policy Analysis
Develop policy analysis frameworks and evidence-based, data-driven policy recommendations for clients in the public, private, and non-profit sector.
Regulation and Compliance
Provide guidance in navigating codes, laws, and regulations at the local, state or federal level. Areas of expertise include affordable housing development and finance, community association development (condos, cooperatives, community land trusts, planned communities), recycled water reuse and commercial cannabis permitting and licensing.
Curriculum Development and Graphics Design
Assist clients in creating and visually curating educational curriculum including interactive workshops, trainings, and digital and physical educational content.
Clients Include:
The San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development, Resilient Wellness, The Original Equity Group, The Foundation for Community Association Research, Green Rush Consulting, The Greenlining Institute
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, US, Graduate Student Instructor
Supervised 9 other graduate student instructors. Developed a sustainable framework for the logistics of a 455 student course. Assisted in updating/creating new course material and taught course material in 2 classes consisting of 25 students.
Cervantes Design Associates, San Francisco, CA, US, Project Associate
Developed innovative community outreach tools for addressing gentrification and displacement in the San Francisco Mission District. Designed commercial spaces for the 1950 Mission Affordable Housing project. Consulted in the permitting process of a community urban garden in San Francisco.
Urban Homesteading Assistance Board (UHAB), San Francisco, Project Associate
Provided technical assistance to residents of shared-equity housing cooperatives. Assisted with the process of selling/buying limited-equity cooperatives, hiring licensed contractors, interpreting corporate documents, drafting budgets, and creating/enforcing policies. Worked as a liaison between the cooperatives and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
Habitat for Humanity NYC, New York, NY, US, Site Supervisor
Trained and supervised 20/30 unskilled volunteers a day in painting and construction i.e. hanging drywall, wood and light steel framing. Lead workshops on community building, sustainability, and affordable housing.
Visible Graphics, Canoga Park, CA, US, Graphic Designer
Main graphic designer for a national signage company.
Cervantes Design Associates, Inc., San Francisco, Intern
Photographed and drafted as needed. Documented ada acessibility in San Francisco Unified School District projects. Created templates for existing and proposed plans.
Dahlgren Design & Build, San Francisco, CA, US, Marketing Assistant/Dafter
Primary drafter and graphic designer. Marketing assistant and media consultant in advertising custom made furniture. Assisted with cost estimates and bidding. Assisted clients with fixture purchases for mid-century modern residential remodeling projects.
Fong & Chan Architects, San Francisco, CA, US, Intern
Assisted with the san francisco general hospital project. Organized requests for information and stayed in contact with the client. Answered to modifications requested by the office of statewide health planning and development.
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, US, Masters, City Planning
Affordable Housing and Economic Development.
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, US, Bachelors, Architecture
Bachelor of arts in architecture with a minor in sustainable design. Studied abroad in Guardamar del Segura, Spain through UC Berkeley Summer Sessions. Took an advanced studio course in which I incorporated the history and culture of the country in a museum proposal through an analysis of sites ranging from modern architecture to ancient ruins.
Plus Fellowship - UC Berkeley Center for Cities + Schools, Grant
In 2015 I was awarded the PLUS Fellowship by the Center for Cities and Schools at UC Berkeley. I worked with Oakland Unified School District in finding innovative solutions to recruiting and retaining quality teachers. I provided expertise on affordable housing solutions and on public-private partnership strategies.
Byron Hanke Fellowship - Foundation for Community Association Research, Grant
In 2015, I was awarded FCAR's Byron Hanke Fellowship for a research project to collect data and evaluate potential collaboration between residential community associations (condominiums, cooperatives and planned communities) and affordable housing communities in suburban regions across the United States.
Antonia Escobar Memorial Prize, Scholarship
Awarded to 1 female CASA member for exhibiting academic excellence and contributing to the creative world of design.
Casa Alumni Martin del Campo/ Bob Esparza Award, Scholarship
Awarded to 7 CASA members based on their ability to create exceptional design work despite financial need.
