EDUCATION
Cornell University, 2002
Master of Regional Planning
College of Architecture, Art & Planning
Thomas Edison State University, 2000
Bachelor of Arts, Humanities
Fashion Institute of Technology, 1996-1999
Textile Development & Marketing
Yeshiva University, 1994-1996
Humanities & Jewish Studies
CURRENT ROLES
Ezra Cattan, General Consulting
Established 2002. Ezra is a seasoned freelance consultant, analyst, writer, photographer and editor, demonstrating a broad range of skills and an intuition that speaks effectively to a wide range of technical and nontechnical audiences. Ezra's general style examines the confluence of nature, public spaces, community systems and the human spirit with nuanced expressions that appeal to intellect and emotion in equal measure.
Queer Sephardic Heritage, Founder
Established 2020. QSH cultivates and promotes the Queer Sephardic legacy. Supports artists and academics in documenting, preserving, and creating new works that include Queer Sephardic themes. Developing community programs and running activities tailored to the Queer Sephardic community in New York and at large.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Genentech Our People Story Hub (2016-2018)
Conceptualized and produced the Our People Story Hub for one of the world's biggest biotech pharmaceuticals. "Our People" is a collection of first-person narratives that set out to showcase the company’s diversity of culture and thought from a more personal angle. Surveyed, interviewed and photographed Genentech employees including top scientists and community leaders; Produced audio recordings and prepared transcripts; Edited transcripts to produce written narratives showcasing participant's unique identity and contributions to the company; Helped define and clarify a voice and visual tone for the initiative in collaboration with HR and Corporate Communications teams..
TransForm Climate Benefits Mapping & Reporting (2016)
The Climate Benefits Program administered by TransForm reports on the distribution of funds raised through California's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The Climate Benefits website includes information on all applications, awards, project details and benefits to air quality and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the state.
SFSU, Continuing Education in Counseling (2012)
Satisfied requirements to apply for a Masters of Science in Counseling. Received an introduction to the counseling profession through an overview of role and functions in career, college, marriage, family, child, mental health, and rehabilitation settings.
Maitri Hospice, Volunteer (2012)
Maitri provides residential respite and hospice care for people living with AIDS. The facility has 15 single-occupancy bedrooms and is staffed full time by a variety of healthcare professionals. Common spaces facilitate comfort and community. Volunteers provide clinical and non-clinical support.
Corona Heights Gardens, Owner-Operator (2010-2016)
Owned and operated a residential landscape business serving upscale neighborhoods and residences in San Francisco. Provided design guidance, implemented updates, and provided ongoing maintenance. Serviced and supplied restaurant, retail and corporate clients with custom arrangements and installations. Participated in events such as the Annual Macy's Flower Show.
Pacific Gas & Electric Emergency Response (2010)
Following a series of gas pipeline failures, helped build real-time GIS models to support emergency response efforts; digitized PG&E's historic plat maps; launched a new GIS lab; hired, trained and supervised a team of GIS technicians; developed, tested and refined workflows; ensured process consistency and data quality standards.
Urban Forestry Management Plan San Francisco (2009-2010)
Funded by San Francisco’s 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond. Integrated GIS and GPS technologies with long-range planning and management goals for San Francisco’s parks and park facilities; Consolidated an array of geospatial databases; Developed a GIS to support immediate prioritization of backlogged work orders; Developed functional requirements for an updated GIS to facilitate interagency coordination of geospatial datasets; Proposed updated GIS workflows to improve precision and accuracy of service requests and response systems in the field; Prepared and presented maps for regulatory reviews at City Hall.
Fresno Redevelopment Agency Downtown Revitalization (2009)
Supported Main Street redevelopment proposals to The Fresno Redevelopment Agency; Developed taxonomies for zoning and building typologies; Gathered crime data from the Fresno Police Department; Updated and consolidated GIS files; Prepared maps, tables and charts.
Port City: The History & Transformation of the Port of San Francisco (2008-2009)
San Francisco Architectural Heritage released a book, Port City, chronicling the rich history of San Francisco’s maritime past, including the Port’s heyday as a nexus of shipping and commerce. As Lead Photographer, Ezra collaborated with the author/historian to research and visit historic piers and parcels; provided vision, strategy and logistics; Gathered GPS data and photographed historic markers and landmarks along San Francisco’s waterfront; Partnered with editor and designer on book layout and photo editing.
Urban-Eyes Industries (2006-2010)
Founded Urban-Eyes in 2006 to recognize and promote photography as a rudimentary and far-reaching element of the urban planning process. Partnered with National Geographic to develop a global, geospatially referenced image archive.
Vail Resorts Weekend Ski Instructor (2005-2007)
Trained and certified by Vail Resorts with educational emphasis on stages of cognitive and motor development in children ages 4 through 12. Planned lessons around the simplification of physics and biomechanics, and fostered in students a love and appreciation for the great outdoors.
Gap Inc., Commercial Real Estate (2004-2005)
Supported the real estate team in steering the company’s retail fleet; Prepared pipeline reports and assisted with Retail Marketing and Strategy's long range planning; Audited sales forecasts against actual revenue to determine precision, accuracy and efficacy of tools and workflows; Calibrated GIS toolsets to reflect consumer trends.
Nelson Nygaard Consulting (2002-2003)
Public policy research and analysis; Worked with local and regional agencies to study, develop, operate and maintain a safe, equitable and sustainable transportation infrastructure; Ensured community outreach, engagement and consensus building; Authored case studies, designed survey tools and executed large scale data collections; Assisted with grand writing; Presented at regional workshops and conferences.
National AIDS Memorial Grove, San Francisco (2002-2012)
The National AIDS Memorial Grove is a dedicated space in the national landscape where millions of Americans touched directly or indirectly by AIDS gather to heal, hope, and remember. Volunteer responsibilities included assisting with landscape design, community organizing, and volunteer training and oversight.
Mission Economic Development Association (2001)
Supported homeownership, small business, and community retention initiatives; Gathered and analyzed demographic, economic, housing, zoning and land use data; Designed and implemented a user-friendly, template-driven, community-based geographic information system (GIS); Trained staff and tailored settings to a variety of user roles within the organization.
Cornell University Hillel, Community Liasion (2000-2002)
Cornell Hillel empowers Jewish students to build communities that cultivate ownership of identity, a sense of the dynamic role of Judaism, and an appreciation of the Jewish experience. As community liaison, Ezra brought Jewish LGBT programming to campus, and secured funding for Jewish LGBT students to attend leadership workshops and conferences across the US.
Cornell University Career Services, Community Liasion (2000-2002)
The Career Services office at Cornell University’s school of Architecture, Art and Planning provides career development advising, resources, and programs for AAP students and Cornell students from AAP-related disciplines. Responsibilities included career counseling; resume writing/support; alumni outreach; and database management.
Cornell University, College of Architecture, Art & Planning (2000-2002)
Examined the linkages between federal transportation and environmental policy, and the impacts of regional transportation governance at county and municipal levels; Studied techniques for guiding the development of urban areas, location requirements, space needs, and interrelations of land uses; Researched concepts and analytical frameworks for evaluating social, economic and environmental impacts of urban development on natural resources and public health; Learned the principles and applications of geographic information systems (GIS).
New York City Department of City Planning, Subway-Sidewalk Interface Study (2000-2002)
Documented pedestrian circulation, safety, and security at densely populated outer-borough neighborhoods with primary links to mass transit; Measured and assessed street, sidewalk, curb and crosswalk conditions at 30 pilot sites; Surveyed auto, bus, bicycle and pedestrian movements at key intersections, peak and off-peak; Evaluated street furniture, signage, pavement markings and signal timing; Produced graphic and written elements of The Subway-Sidewalk Interface Project; Presented reports to NYC Planning Department officials.
Liber Textiles, New York (1994-2000)
Serviced major accounts including globally recognized brands and retailers; Recruited and managed new accounts; Brokered purchases and sales between overseas vendors and domestic markets; Worked with accounts on design, merchandising and quality control; Coordinated international shipping and transport logistics.
Cornell University, 2002
Master of Regional Planning
College of Architecture, Art & Planning
Thomas Edison State University, 2000
Bachelor of Arts, Humanities
Fashion Institute of Technology, 1996-1999
Textile Development & Marketing
Yeshiva University, 1994-1996
Humanities & Jewish Studies
CURRENT ROLES
Ezra Cattan, General Consulting
Established 2002. Ezra is a seasoned freelance consultant, analyst, writer, photographer and editor, demonstrating a broad range of skills and an intuition that speaks effectively to a wide range of technical and nontechnical audiences. Ezra's general style examines the confluence of nature, public spaces, community systems and the human spirit with nuanced expressions that appeal to intellect and emotion in equal measure.
Queer Sephardic Heritage, Founder
Established 2020. QSH cultivates and promotes the Queer Sephardic legacy. Supports artists and academics in documenting, preserving, and creating new works that include Queer Sephardic themes. Developing community programs and running activities tailored to the Queer Sephardic community in New York and at large.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Genentech Our People Story Hub (2016-2018)
Conceptualized and produced the Our People Story Hub for one of the world's biggest biotech pharmaceuticals. "Our People" is a collection of first-person narratives that set out to showcase the company’s diversity of culture and thought from a more personal angle. Surveyed, interviewed and photographed Genentech employees including top scientists and community leaders; Produced audio recordings and prepared transcripts; Edited transcripts to produce written narratives showcasing participant's unique identity and contributions to the company; Helped define and clarify a voice and visual tone for the initiative in collaboration with HR and Corporate Communications teams..
TransForm Climate Benefits Mapping & Reporting (2016)
The Climate Benefits Program administered by TransForm reports on the distribution of funds raised through California's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The Climate Benefits website includes information on all applications, awards, project details and benefits to air quality and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the state.
SFSU, Continuing Education in Counseling (2012)
Satisfied requirements to apply for a Masters of Science in Counseling. Received an introduction to the counseling profession through an overview of role and functions in career, college, marriage, family, child, mental health, and rehabilitation settings.
Maitri Hospice, Volunteer (2012)
Maitri provides residential respite and hospice care for people living with AIDS. The facility has 15 single-occupancy bedrooms and is staffed full time by a variety of healthcare professionals. Common spaces facilitate comfort and community. Volunteers provide clinical and non-clinical support.
Corona Heights Gardens, Owner-Operator (2010-2016)
Owned and operated a residential landscape business serving upscale neighborhoods and residences in San Francisco. Provided design guidance, implemented updates, and provided ongoing maintenance. Serviced and supplied restaurant, retail and corporate clients with custom arrangements and installations. Participated in events such as the Annual Macy's Flower Show.
Pacific Gas & Electric Emergency Response (2010)
Following a series of gas pipeline failures, helped build real-time GIS models to support emergency response efforts; digitized PG&E's historic plat maps; launched a new GIS lab; hired, trained and supervised a team of GIS technicians; developed, tested and refined workflows; ensured process consistency and data quality standards.
Urban Forestry Management Plan San Francisco (2009-2010)
Funded by San Francisco’s 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond. Integrated GIS and GPS technologies with long-range planning and management goals for San Francisco’s parks and park facilities; Consolidated an array of geospatial databases; Developed a GIS to support immediate prioritization of backlogged work orders; Developed functional requirements for an updated GIS to facilitate interagency coordination of geospatial datasets; Proposed updated GIS workflows to improve precision and accuracy of service requests and response systems in the field; Prepared and presented maps for regulatory reviews at City Hall.
Fresno Redevelopment Agency Downtown Revitalization (2009)
Supported Main Street redevelopment proposals to The Fresno Redevelopment Agency; Developed taxonomies for zoning and building typologies; Gathered crime data from the Fresno Police Department; Updated and consolidated GIS files; Prepared maps, tables and charts.
Port City: The History & Transformation of the Port of San Francisco (2008-2009)
San Francisco Architectural Heritage released a book, Port City, chronicling the rich history of San Francisco’s maritime past, including the Port’s heyday as a nexus of shipping and commerce. As Lead Photographer, Ezra collaborated with the author/historian to research and visit historic piers and parcels; provided vision, strategy and logistics; Gathered GPS data and photographed historic markers and landmarks along San Francisco’s waterfront; Partnered with editor and designer on book layout and photo editing.
Urban-Eyes Industries (2006-2010)
Founded Urban-Eyes in 2006 to recognize and promote photography as a rudimentary and far-reaching element of the urban planning process. Partnered with National Geographic to develop a global, geospatially referenced image archive.
Vail Resorts Weekend Ski Instructor (2005-2007)
Trained and certified by Vail Resorts with educational emphasis on stages of cognitive and motor development in children ages 4 through 12. Planned lessons around the simplification of physics and biomechanics, and fostered in students a love and appreciation for the great outdoors.
Gap Inc., Commercial Real Estate (2004-2005)
Supported the real estate team in steering the company’s retail fleet; Prepared pipeline reports and assisted with Retail Marketing and Strategy's long range planning; Audited sales forecasts against actual revenue to determine precision, accuracy and efficacy of tools and workflows; Calibrated GIS toolsets to reflect consumer trends.
Nelson Nygaard Consulting (2002-2003)
Public policy research and analysis; Worked with local and regional agencies to study, develop, operate and maintain a safe, equitable and sustainable transportation infrastructure; Ensured community outreach, engagement and consensus building; Authored case studies, designed survey tools and executed large scale data collections; Assisted with grand writing; Presented at regional workshops and conferences.
National AIDS Memorial Grove, San Francisco (2002-2012)
The National AIDS Memorial Grove is a dedicated space in the national landscape where millions of Americans touched directly or indirectly by AIDS gather to heal, hope, and remember. Volunteer responsibilities included assisting with landscape design, community organizing, and volunteer training and oversight.
Mission Economic Development Association (2001)
Supported homeownership, small business, and community retention initiatives; Gathered and analyzed demographic, economic, housing, zoning and land use data; Designed and implemented a user-friendly, template-driven, community-based geographic information system (GIS); Trained staff and tailored settings to a variety of user roles within the organization.
Cornell University Hillel, Community Liasion (2000-2002)
Cornell Hillel empowers Jewish students to build communities that cultivate ownership of identity, a sense of the dynamic role of Judaism, and an appreciation of the Jewish experience. As community liaison, Ezra brought Jewish LGBT programming to campus, and secured funding for Jewish LGBT students to attend leadership workshops and conferences across the US.
Cornell University Career Services, Community Liasion (2000-2002)
The Career Services office at Cornell University’s school of Architecture, Art and Planning provides career development advising, resources, and programs for AAP students and Cornell students from AAP-related disciplines. Responsibilities included career counseling; resume writing/support; alumni outreach; and database management.
Cornell University, College of Architecture, Art & Planning (2000-2002)
Examined the linkages between federal transportation and environmental policy, and the impacts of regional transportation governance at county and municipal levels; Studied techniques for guiding the development of urban areas, location requirements, space needs, and interrelations of land uses; Researched concepts and analytical frameworks for evaluating social, economic and environmental impacts of urban development on natural resources and public health; Learned the principles and applications of geographic information systems (GIS).
New York City Department of City Planning, Subway-Sidewalk Interface Study (2000-2002)
Documented pedestrian circulation, safety, and security at densely populated outer-borough neighborhoods with primary links to mass transit; Measured and assessed street, sidewalk, curb and crosswalk conditions at 30 pilot sites; Surveyed auto, bus, bicycle and pedestrian movements at key intersections, peak and off-peak; Evaluated street furniture, signage, pavement markings and signal timing; Produced graphic and written elements of The Subway-Sidewalk Interface Project; Presented reports to NYC Planning Department officials.
Liber Textiles, New York (1994-2000)
Serviced major accounts including globally recognized brands and retailers; Recruited and managed new accounts; Brokered purchases and sales between overseas vendors and domestic markets; Worked with accounts on design, merchandising and quality control; Coordinated international shipping and transport logistics.