Meet our Spring 2019 Fellows + Apprentices!
By: Nyc Opportunity
Tags: Technology, Apprenticeship, Data Governance, Product Management, Service Design

Graphic Design Fellow

Matt Khinda

Hey! I’m Matt, and I’m the first Graphic Design Fellow at the NYC Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity. Here in the Service Design Studio, I’ll be helping research, prototype, and design better public services for New Yorkers.

Not so long ago I spent four (cold) years studying Industrial Design at the Rhode Island School of Design, which introduced me to people-centered problem solving and the world of service design. After finishing school, I worked in design consulting across a range of industries — from healthcare to urban development. Now, I’m excited to dive into the world of government to see what design can offer, and learn from it.

Outside of the studio, I’m always on the lookout for a good pick-up soccer game or a fresh bagel. If you come across either give me a shout!

Graphic Design Apprentice

Kevin Cadena

Hello! My name is Kevin Cadena and I’m the newest Graphic Design Apprentice at the Service Design Studio. I was born to Colombian Immigrants in Queens and raised in Orlando. After completing my degree in Graphic Design, I’ve spent the last couple of years working as an independent graphic designer and web developer focusing on cultural, non-profit and educational organizations such as the Queens Museum, The Center for Urban Pedagogy, and Massive Science. My reason for joining the Service Design Studio stems from wanting to learn about the different design approaches that government agencies use. I want to use my experience as an Apprentice on this team to understand how I can incorporate service design methodologies into my own way of approaching design projects.

Outside of my own independent practice and this apprenticeship, I work part-time teaching high school students with the Parsons Scholars Program. I spend most of my free time making patterns or asleep. If you’d like see more, please feel free to check out my website!

Product Management Fellows

Claudia Wynn

Hi! I’m Claudia, the new Product Management Fellow here at NYC Opportunity. I have been interested in service-oriented work for a while; searching for ways to apply my Computer Science and Fine Arts background for good.

Before joining NYC Opportunity, I was fortunate enough to be able to do just that through my fellowship with Venture for America. Working at an Education Technology startup as a UX Designer was my first foray into creating products for underserved populations — there, it was English as a Second Language students. I am excited to be able to continue this work for NYC residents during my time with NYC Opportunity!

Outside of work, I love to travel, read, watch TV, and box; but as a new New Yorker, right now I’m especially looking forward to exploring the city — recommendations always welcome!

Amelia Wellers

I’m Amelia, a new product management apprentice at NYC Opportunity. I have always been drawn to sending powerful ideas and products out into the world, starting with a B.A. in music and followed by roles at the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood Music Festival, a quick stint in Copenhagen to help artists produce exhibitions, and most recently, building the Cambridge Innovation Center’s first marketing team.

I moved to New York after joining Cornell Tech’s entrepreneurial and product-focused MBA program. As a Product Management Apprentice, I am thrilled to apply my new skills to serve this great city and it’s incredible people. In a free moment, you’ll find me exploring all of the culture NYC has to offer, writing or covering a song or two, jogging lazily, or baking sourdough bread.

Data Analytics Fellows

Katie Voorhees

Hi I’m Katie, a Data Analytics Fellow here at NYC Opportunity. In my previous role as a Performance Analyst at a child and family services agency I saw first hand the meaningful impact quality data analysis can have on improving services and driving program growth. This blossoming passion for data led me to go back to school full time to pursue my MS in Urban Science and Informatics at NYU.

While I love to travel (let me know if you have any tips for New Orleans or Basque Country), I also enjoy taking advantage of all New York has to offer. When I’m not at school or work you can usually find me reading, running, trying out new restaurants and bars, or going to see the latest Oscar contender. I love this city and am so happy to be in a role that will allow me to create opportunities for other New Yorkers.

Adam Santos

I am one of the first Data Analytics Fellows along with Katie. I’m excited to use evidence to help provide New Yorkers with opportunities to better their lives. Before this Fellowship, I recently completed the Metis data science bootcamp. In my previous life, I taught math and engineering at a New York City public high school. In my life before that one, I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the southern African country of Lesotho. In my spare time I like to run, knit, read, and watch Chicago sports teams.

Data Governance Fellow

Jordan Klein

Hi, I’m Jordan Klein and I’m the Data Governance Fellow for the Spring of 2019. I was born and raised right here in Brooklyn, and have trouble imagining living anywhere else. I’m a graduate in Political Science, just trying to make my way in this crazy world. Most recently, I was a Digital Intern at Everytown for Gun Safety, where I first explored the notion of learning more about technology in order to address causes that I believed in. I hope to continue down this road at NYC Opportunity, and help fight for New Yorkers who find themselves living at-risk or in poverty. In addition to my day-to-day support for the Enterprise Data Solutions team, I’m also doing some independent research on further innovations in service of this common goal. Hopefully, I can learn a lot more about data integration while helping to make a tangible difference for New York City.

Unfortunately, I am pretty boring outside of the office, and thus I don’t really have social media or a website to plug like so many of our other Fellows! I’m always up for a good conversation about sports (especially the NBA, as a few of you may have discovered already), pop culture, gaming or food.