Melanie Stern

Director of Lending and Investment

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) · Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Present

-Oversees lending initiatives for LISC's DC office, which produces 15% of LISC's national loan volume -Structures, underwrites, and manages real estate investments to facilitate the production and preservation of affordable housing and community facilities in the District of Columbia and surrounding regions -Responsible for financing over 1,400 affordable homes for lower-income DC families by developing and managing a $90+ million investment portfolio, anticipated to leverage an additional $660 million in investment

Senior Lending Program Officer

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

Lending Program Officer

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) · Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Development Project Associate

The Community Builders, Inc. · Washington D.C.

-Supported the development of affordable and mixed-income housing throughout the DC and Baltimore region, from predevelopment through construction and lease-up, including two Baltimore RAD deals, a 9% scattered-site new construction, and a DC public housing revitalization through DMPED’s New Communities Initiative. Projects range from $19 million-$100 million+ in total development cost -Collaborated with private and public sector stakeholders, including lenders, investors, development partners, public housing authorities, ANC commissioners, civic associations and community residents to ensure the ultimate success of projects -Prepared responses to RFPs and RFQs, including assembling and coordinating project development team; Organized funding applications, including the submission of local and state funding, 9% LIHTC, and FHLB AHP applications -Managed tenant-in-place relocation process for the rehabilitation of a 170-unit Senior and Non-elderly Disabled development -Prepared monthly f…

Policy and Research Division Intern

National Capital Planning Commission · Washington D.C. Metro Area

-Supported the development of the Federal Parks and Open Space Element of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital, last updated in 2004, including researching and collecting data related to resiliency, ecosystems services, the activation and revitalization of open space, and exemplary park precedents, and drafting guiding policies for future developments -Assisted with developing the Federal Capital Improvement Program including reviewing and scoring federal budget proposals for projects in the National Capital Region to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget -Researched and analyzed federal laws which grant NCPC review authority in order to support establishment of comprehensive processes and guidelines for NCPC review of project proposals

Princeton in Latin America Fellow

El Centro Educativo Providencia · Montevideo, Uruguay

-Supported operations and management of nonprofit that provides programming for children and families in an underserved Montevideo community -Designed and aided the implementation of various programming efforts -Supported fundraising efforts, grant writing, and research initiatives -Aided in family and community outreach -Developed and instructed English classes -Assisted in translation and redesign of Providencia’s web and social media pages

Co-President

City Faces at Wash U · St. Louis

-Provided planning and strategic guidance for non-profit organization which offers after-school enrichment for youth and families living in Clinton Peabody Public Housing -Established connection between City Faces and its neighboring university community through founding Wash U student group comprised of undergraduate students, graduate students, and community volunteers -Structured City Faces expansion in three years from six volunteers to 100+ volunteers -Designed, developed and oversaw a range of programming, including establishing a mentor program involving 20 college student/youth pairs, developing a community garden, running a daily tutoring program, and overseeing a boys and girls club. -Managed space in collaboration with the Public Housing Authority, oversaw budget, fundraising, and community outreach events -Worked with outside organizations to establish a local nutritious food source, and other essential programming -Collaborated with parents of City Faces students to promot…

Communications Intern

Children's Defense Fund · Washington D.C.

-Researched and drafted briefing materials for Marian Wright Edelman -Assisted in editing and distribution of publications, coordination and staffing of major events, including a symposium with ETS, management of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and research and communication between partnering organizations and news outlets

Vocal Instructor

Orilleros: A creative, musical space for youth · Buenos Aires, Argentina

-Taught voice lessons to youth living within the Buenos Aires Villa 21-24 -Worked with children ages 7-12 on the mastering of English phonetics, vocal exercises, as well as the assisting in recitals and other community events.

Researcher

Asentamiento Papa Francisco · Buenos Aires, Argentina

-Studied and documented urbanization efforts of community members living in a Buenos Aires Villa (shantytown), including community member efforts to annex adjacent property -Designed and conducted research and interviews, attended community meetings, and worked with University of Buenos Aires urban studies faculty to document the use of grassroots strategies as a path to urbanization -Investigative research and community participation culminated in thesis on urbanization efforts of Buenos Aires Villas, focusing on the use of self-management as an initiative for development in the absence of government intervention

Assistant Stage Manager

Washington University Performing Arts Department · St. Louis, Missouri

-Assistant Stage Manager of “Spring Awakening,” “In the Next Room,” and “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson”

Intern

ARCH Development Corporation (ADC) · Washington D.C.

-Engaged in community outreach for a non-profit which uses the arts as an engine for the revitalization of historic Anacostia D.C -Assisted in the organization of festivals and events in coordination with D.C. government officials as well as with the launch and operation of Arch’s newly-constructed Arts Center.