Previously, Suhaila worked at the intersection of municipal policy and urban planning where she conducted stakeholder management and community engagement to center community needs and impacts within the San Francisco Bay Area for housing strategy, General Plan Updates, and regional area planning.

Prior to her recent endeavors, Suhaila applied her graphic and strategic design skills in marketing, branding, and academia. Notably, she managed a volunteer-led group of designers to create clear, de-jargoned messaging around climate policy legislation ahead of the 2020 elections. She also launched and managed the design implementation of consumer-facing energy consumption dashboards and interfaces in addition to dissecting existing energy feedback through design and behavior lenses at University of California, Davis, where she earned her B.A. in Design.

From her background in design, Suhaila learned the value and importance of centering people—that the processes by which systems, institutions, programs and policies are designed have a direct impact on communities and people’s health, well-being, and safety. Moreover, her experience co-facilitating Community Engagement in urban planning has taught Suhaila about the importance of transparency, accountability, and listening as means to center people and build relationships, the basis to any community work.

As Suhaila continues to say, she is always learning, unlearning, and everything in between.

Suhaila enjoys road-tripping, skiing, and taking pictures to capture it all. Ask her about her winter plans!