
By: Doruntina Zeneli
Natalia Chavez is the Communications and Outreach Director at Urbanability, a Boston-based non-profit organization that focuses on empowering underserved communities from an urban planning perspective. She recently worked at the Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, where she worked on democracy programming and the legislative negotiation project. Previously, Natalia served as a Research and Policy Analyst at Covered California, the health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act, where she conducted data management and quantitative analysis on consumer enrollment data. Natalia has also worked on state election campaigns and as a Press Aide for the Democratic Caucus of the California State Assembly. With a background in data analysis, public policy, and community building, Natalia is dedicated to fostering healthy communities by addressing complex policy challenges. She is interested in increasing economic opportunities, health and well-being, access to education, and political representation for underserved communities. She will be a fellow at the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM).
Why did you choose to apply for this fellowship, and how did you hear about it?
I chose to apply to the MONUM fellowship because of the impressive individuals who have gone through the fellowship. MONUM combines my interest in local government, urban planning, and solving difficult problems. I [learned about the fellowship] when I was browsing through the IOC website and looked through the student opportunities tab. I read through the fellowships, and the MONUM summer internship caught my eye, so I decided to apply.
What do you hope to accomplish or gain from the fellowship this summer?
I hope to make a meaningful impact in the initiative or program I am working on and establish professional relationships along the way. Additionally, I hope to take away a better understanding of what it means to pilot new projects within local government.
How did you first become interested in civic innovation?
I previously worked at the Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, where one of the center’s initiatives was at the intersection of democracy and innovation. I learned about some excellent work that was being done to increase democracy through the use of technology and innovation. This, along with my interest in and graduate work in urban planning, sparked my interest in civic innovation.
What would you tell other students if they were considering applying for the fellowship?
Apply! Take some time to reflect on your motivations for applying and share your story in your application.