Scott Francisco - Founder and Director - is a hands-on designer and cultural theorist in New York City. His design approach, research, writing and teaching all amplify the connection between built infrastructures and cultural systems. This comes from a lifelong interest in how people use the built environment to communicate with one another, and between generations. Years of experience in wilderness camping, corporate strategic planning, and construction have all contributed to his participatory problem-solving approach, as has a fascination with lightsabers.

Scott holds a Master of Science in Architecture Studies from MIT and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Toronto. He has taught and advised at the University of Kentucky College of Architecture, MIT, RISD and Parsons The New School for Design and has worked with several large architecture firms in New York City.

Jeffrey Zarnoch - Creative Director and Project Manager - has extensive leadership and management experience in the architecture and interiors industry. Jeffrey specializes in strategic thinking and high performance work environments - tapping right-brain design skills to lead interdisciplinary teams and solve complex challenges.

Jeffrey holds a Bachelor of Architecture from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and is a graduate of the DMBA Leading by Design Fellows program from California College of the Arts in San Francisco, and an Adjunct Professor, College of Architecture and the Built Environment, at Philadelphia University.

Claudia Peresman - Communication Steward - oversees the group’s print, web and social media messaging. During her years as a consultant of professional development in publishing and public education, Claudia learned that all successful interactions rely on clear communication. She is now applying these organizational and editorial skills to the world of permaculture design, a set of principles that guide us to make healthier choices for ourselves, our neighbors and planet. She holds a M.Ed. in Educational Technology from Lesley University and is still honing her tango skills.

Benjamin Fryer - Brooklyn Bridge Forest advisor - will graduate shortly from the Yale School of Forestry and Yale Law School. His experience includes community banking and youth development work as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua, some time in law offices, and driving a train at a pumpkin patch. He's interested in “working lands conservation” and public access to urban open space.

Antonina Simeti - Urban Planning Advisor - is an urban planner with professional experience in strategic consulting, public policy research, and environmental review. She is committed to projects that support economic and environmentally sustainable development in New York City. Antonina is focused on creating small-scale, place-based interventions in line with the City’s broader policy goals, and always makes time for meals with family and friends.

Vicente Escriva - Organization Development Advisor - returned from the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan to do graduate work in Urban Policy Analysis. He has worked on numerous organizational development projects, primarily focusing on AIDS prevention and youth empowerment. He has a Masters of Science in Urban Policy Analysis from Milano, The New School and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from SUNY Purchase.

Megan Hustad - Editor - is an author and editor who works through writers block by pacing New York City sidewalks. Over years working in and alongside the traditional book publishing industry, she developed an interest in how changes to text and how it's distributed can tweak our perceptions, ideas, even the environment we occupy. In 2005 she founded Wherewithal Press, a developmental editing workshop and soon-to-be publisher. Her diet includes a surprising amount of Goya products purchased at Essex Market.

Yasmin Fodil - Project Media Advisor - is the founder of BYO consulting, a consultancy focused on solving public problems through digital innovation. She is passionate about using technology to increase collaboration, participation, and accountability, and has worked on strategy with numerous government agencies, including the NYC Department of Education, NASA, and Chicago Public Libraries.

Yasmin holds a B.A. in Government from Cornell University and a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School.

Liz Burow - Creative Advisor - blurs the line between indoors and outdoors, hardscape and softscape, in her art and architectural work. She has an art and design studio practice in Brooklyn, teaches at the Parsons School of Design, and has experience working on large cultural projects, theater set design, interiors, branding and graphic design. Liz is a lover of topographic maps. She has lived in New York since 1999 and just bought her first couch.