Research/Writing Samples

Leadership 18: Assessing Community Needs Post-Katrina

In 2006, a coalition of 18 of America's largest human development organizations commissioned a groundbreaking study to identify the most pressing needs in communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina. After a competitive selection process, our team was chosen to conduct field research. Through town halls, personal interviews, and surveys, we directly engaged residents from eight severely impacted communities: Montgomery, Mobile, Gulfport, Jackson, Houston, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans.

Our comprehensive report, Voices from the Gulf Coast: A Report to Leadership 18, provided strategic recommendations based on rigorous qualitative and quantitative analyses. We uncovered significant systemic gaps in disaster relief coordination, notably the disconnect between aid providers working to support long-term recovery in the Gulf Coast region and affected residents. Core recommendations included:

Enhance neighborhood viability through affordable housing and reliable basic services.
Foster community self-sufficiency with targeted job training and improved transportation access.
Empower local leadership by strengthening community engagement and communication strategies.

As a principal contributor, I led the research design and execution, helped synthesize complex findings, and developed actionable policy recommendations. This experience underscores my longstanding commitment to human-centered, data-driven public policy, an approach I continue to apply in my current work.

ABSTRACT Voices from the Gulf Coast: Leadership 18 Listening Initiative (pdf)

REPORT Voices From the Gulf: Leadership 18 2006 Gulf Coast Listening Initiative (pdf)