Case Studies: Outreach + Access
Reimagining La Brea Tar Pits ![]()
Manager, Guest Experience | Defacto Site Manager 
PROBLEM
World famous museum and paleontological excavations site and laboratory needed to undergo a complete reimaging. The building and facilities were outdated, the exhibition content was a patchwork of ideas over decades, and the interactive experiences relied heavily on human interaction.
ACTION
As the boots on the ground at the site and museum, I played a critical role in organizing and hosting a large Reimagining Workshop bringing in experts and community members from around the world to share ideas for the future of the site. This included the architectural competition to find current architects designing the facility. Additionally, I collaborated across departments to bring in new, immersive exhibits to tell the La Brea climate story, retired outdated ones, and reworked exhibition content narratives.
IMPACT
La Brea is a curious place where history and future are present together. My efforts continue to make an impact as I helped to rethink the narrative to meet the audience where they are, to help translate the technical science while also understanding how people relate to climate change first hand.
CREATIVE OUTPUTS
The image above is the logo for the reimagining campaign, and below highlight the experiences at La Brea.
La Brea Tar Pits
Reimaging La Brea Tar Pits
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Designed Teen STEM Hub Experience
Senior Project Manager | Exhibition Developer + Designer
PROBLEM
Museum wanted to designate and build a STEM-focused wing dedicated to teen audiences, but needed help on concept, strategy, and production. They also needed to ensure community stakeholders informed the process.
ACTION
Utilizing community ideas and facility constraints I designed the core concepts for X Studio, highlighting STEM themes and real teens in the community. I led listening sessions and ideation workshops amongst internal and external stakeholders to gain insights and understandings on needs and wants. I developed conceptual design materials to support active discussions with construction and facility teams to see what could be possible with the space.
IMPACT
This building is now officially open and actively supporting hands-on teen STEM learning. Community stakeholders felt heard and a part of the process from the initial stages. Museum staff enjoyed expanding their possibilities.
CREATIVE OUTPUTS
The image above is the logo for the project and now building.
X Studios
Revived a City Park Rooted in History + Culture
Co-founder | Programs Developer + Park Steward
PROBLEM
A grassroots city park, created as a result of the LA riots in the early 1990’s, needed real stewardship, care, and lots of work to restore it back to a place where the community could enjoy. There were lots of unknowns including how to get water rights, would the city demolish it, and how to revive a community project.
ACTION
I helped to co-found a community-led organization to take on park maintenance, tend to a sad looking garden, and to create accessible and inclusive programming. I also facilitated active listening sessions with past and current community members to gain insights and critical histories to guide next steps.
IMPACT
The community showed up. By providing a foundation for others to find their own place within we were able to enrich a space for the community. This is powerful and has lasting impacts on generations to come. We created a space where people felt like they belonged and merged social populations that might not otherwise have ever mixed. The garden is also producing lots of fruit to enjoy.
CREATIVE OUTPUTS
These images show the park in its glory, hosting people for local art walks, science discovery days, puppet events for children, and what it feels like to be in the lush garden.
Tierra de la Culebra City Park + La Culebra Action League
Youth Early Learning Center Concept Development
Senior Project Manager | Exhibition Developer + Designer
PROBLEM
A children’s museum wanted to create a space and program dedicated to early childhood learning, rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy and pedagogy. They needed someone to help them organize their ideas, research, and to bring in the community perspective.
ACTION
I led early conceptual development planning brainstorms and listening sessions with community partners and stakeholders to figure out what key elements were needed to bring this early childhood education center to life. I also generated a brief based on research and community input.
IMPACT
Early childhood development experiences have lasting impressions of people throughout their lives. By bringing in community and expert perspectives the project brief had everything needed to create an enriched learning experience.
CREATIVE OUTPUTS
The image above is the logo, as the building project experienced delays during Covid.
¡Brillante! Early Learning Center Core Values