Hilla Benzaken

225 Central Park West NY, NY 10024 646.300.4347 hilla.benzaken@gmail.com

Education Clark University, Worcester, MA Master of Arts in Community Development and Planning GPA: 3.9/4.0 Bachelor of Arts in International Development and Social Change Concentration: Sustainable Development, Minor: Government/International Relations GPA: 3.57/4.0; Deans List School For Field Studies, Atenas, Costa Rica

May 2011 May 2010

January-May 2009

Research: Masters report: Developing a Green Economy in Worcester, MA (MA Paper/11): Analyzed the definition of the green economy, investigated the drivers of the green economy in international and national contexts, and provided an empirical exploration of the green economy in Worcester, Massachusetts. The report paid particular attention to inter-organizational partnerships, and examined how the interactions of stakeholders affected successful sustainable community development programming. Aids Project Worcester Program Analysis (10): Investigated pilot womens health project, conducted open-ended interviews, analyzed member surveys, researched best-practice techniques for preventing and responding to domestic violence, presented findings to administrative personnel GIS Analysis of Contaminated Soils in Worcester, MA (10): Designed four GIS spatial analyses overlaying data of soil types, old housing stocks, contaminated soils, and vulnerable neighborhoods to decipher at-risk areas for soil contaminated with lead in Worcester, Massachusetts. Community-Based Tourism in Volcn Pos, Costa Rica (09): Research explored the tourism industry in the Volcn Pos region of Costa Rica and sought to answer- how much control do the local communities have over the tourism industry? Methodology included interviewing business owners in the region, conducting and analyzing tourist surveys and questionnaires, and collecting secondary material about various forms of eco-tourism. Experience Jewish Community Center, New York, NY September 2011-Febuary 2012 Assistant Teacher, pre-nursery school Assisted daily lesson plans and art projects Engaged students, ages 18-36 months, through separation process with parents Responsible for overseeing the management and cleanliness of the classroom and facilities Teacher, after-school programming Provided homework assistance to youth ages 6-10 Transported them to after-school safely from local elementary schools Maintained a safe and creative environment for youth to explore and learn

Worcester Green Jobs Coalition, Worcester, Massachusetts January 2011- June 2011 Intern Communicated with member organizations, coordinated, facilitated, and recorded minutes for meetings Planned a conference Making a Green Solidarity Economy (July 2011) attended by approximately 1,200 people representing small business owners, non-profit organizations, academics, and community members. The conference explored ways different actors in the community could support one another to reach common social, economic, and environmental goals. Wrote a capacity-building grant for $1,300 from the Community Training and Assistance Center Produced a coalition evaluation guide that described different types of evaluations, a methodology process for how to go about conducting a coalition evaluation, and a description of the strengths and weaknesses of different methods as they pertain to the Worcester Green Jobs Coalition. Created a database of member/affiliate organizations Maintained the website with green job openings, community events, and resources for environmental non-profit organizations Israel Union for Environmental Defense, Tel Aviv, Israel Summer 2010 Intern Independently produced a 55 page evaluation of the 10-year Environmental Justice program Conducted open-ended interviews with previous and current staff, as well as numerous stakeholders of the program, such as partner organizations and individual clients Gathered and analyzed quantitative data, produced fifteen charts recording changes in the program over the ten years Made programmatic recommendations Eco-Africa Social Ventures, New York, NY Summer 2009 Fundraising Coordinator Organized three summer fundraiser parties: communicated with donors, solicited corporate sponsors, supported marketing team Assisted founder/director in administrative and organizational tasks Conducted a program evaluation focusing on the business model, explored ways of increasing the financial sustainability of the non-profit. (In conjunction with a Social Entrepreneurship course, 2010). The National Committee on US-China Relations, New York, NY Spring 2006 Intern Consolidated and organized computer data; processed files; handled passports and visas for Chinese embassy Compiled applications for various programs and created digital database of applicants Edited monthly and annual donor newsletters Volunteer Experience Fundao Dora Frazao, Alexania, Brazil June 2012 English Teacher and Project Manager Organized a youth-led community garden; engaged students in organizational processes to maintain garden; researched best techniques for organic farming Taught English as a second language classes to youth and adults (ages 12-40+); developed activities and lesson plans

Youth Outreach Worcester, Program Director, Worcester, MA Fall 2007- May 2010 Developed curriculum for empowerment seminars, open discussions, and activities with middle and high school students about bullying, hatred, sexism, and racism Facilitated inter-active activities and games Managed 35 volunteers; Led monthly training for volunteers in high-stress and diversity facilitation techniques Personal recipient of the 2008-2009 Community Engagement Award for Clark University School for Field Studies, Community Outreach Program, Atenas, Costa Rica February - May 2009 Taught environmental awareness workshops with elementary school students Led youth through forest preserve and educated them about local ecosystems and resource management techniques Skills Fluent in Spanish and Hebrew, conversational Portuguese and French Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office XP/2007 and Adobe Creative Suite programs, experienced in Idrisi Taiga, ArcGIS, and SPSS/Access Extremely personable, able to work well as a team Strong capability to remain calm in stressful situations and multi-task