Chelsey is the Director of Strategic Initiatives, leading national initiatives focused on workforce development and economic inclusion. 

As a solutions-oriented planner, Chelsey is committed to advancing climate policy at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and socio-economic development to drive equitable change. She brings over 10 years of experience as a researcher and facilitator focused on inclusive community and economic development, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning. Before joining Emerald Cities, Chelsey was the Principal at Ponder Analytics, working with various clients and providing industry and labor market analysis focused on equitable “high road” climate jobs. 

During her time, Chelsey has evaluated Philadelphia’s building decarbonization workforce potential, assessed the clean energy workforce within the New England region, and co-authored a transportation equity study as a researcher with the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge to enhance state transportation departments’ capacity to include racial equity in technical and analytical practices.

Chelsey received a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, where she focused on regional economic development and global affairs. She previously obtained a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Hampton University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, hiking, and exploring new places as a native Angeleno.