The Urban Design Forum 2023 Forefront Fellows will explore design's relationship with social and political issues in New York City

Now in its eighth year, the Urban Design Forum announces its 2023 Forefront Fellows cohort. This year's initiative theme, "Free to Grow," focuses on inspiring adults "to center young people in the built environment."

The Forefront Fellowship consists of early-to-mid-career professionals working towards exploring ways design can "address a social or political challenge facing New York City." According to the Urban Design Forum, this year's cohort of 33 fellows will "explore urban environments that foster health, well-being, and growth for young people." This year's group is made up of architects, urban planners, artists, researchers, civil rights advocates, community leaders, organizers, designers, and civil engineers.

View all 33 Forefront Fellows below...

• Yousof Abdelreheem Community Liaison, New York City Council District 22
• Génesis Abreu Senior Manager, Youth Community Programs, Futures Ignite
• Nichole Aquino UX Designer and Researcher
• Eduarda Aun Program Manager, Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI)
• Camillia Brown Staff Attorney, Juvenile Rights Practice, The Legal Aid Society
• Jenna Carrens Creative Producer and Cultural Organizer
• Aren Castro Associate Director, Design and Neighborhood Equity, Center for Justice Innovation
• Emily Chingay Citywide Engagement Advocate, Open Plans
• Claudia Dishon School and Family Programs Manager, The Friends of the High Line
• Johnson Durosier Civil Engineer, Stantec
• C. Meranda Flachs-Surmanek Theater Artist, Urban Planner, Freelance Consultant
• James Francisco Masterplanning and Urban Design Leader, Arup
• Gopinath Gnanakumar Malathi Senior Analyst, Karp Strategies
• Juan González Civic Sector Consultant, Bennett Midland
• Nathalie Kauz Senior Urban Planner, WXY Studio
• Jim Lammers Project Manager, Street Lab
• Stephany Lin Senior Associate, U3 Advisors
• Gina Massari Nonprofit and Public Sector Professional
• Matthew Mbamelu Senior Urban Designer, NYC Department of City Planning
• Niyanta Muku Associate Architect, Capital Improvement Projects, NYCSCA
• Rita Musello Kelliher Program Coordinator, Institute for Educational Leadership
• Rujuta Naringrekar Landscape Designer at Future Green Studio
• Nasra Nimaga Senior Associate, Perkins Eastman
• Eamon O’Connor Associate and Urban Planner, Gehl
• Amy Obonaga Team Leader Urban Designer, Department of City Planning
• Janaira Ramirez Environmental Program Organizer, The Brotherhood Sister Sol
• Rajesh Sankat Program Strategist, 3×3
• Ayana Smith Executive Director, Student Voice
• Danielle Steele Architectural Designer and Associate at DLR Group
• Melody Stein Founder, studio VISIT; Visiting Assistant Professor, Pratt Institute
• Mallory Thatch Senior Program Manager of Placekeeping and Community Initiatives, Brownsville Community Justice Center
• Donelle Wedderburn Audio Producer and Writer
• Vonn Weisenberger Architectural Designer, Marvel

To learn more about the 2023 Forefront Fellows and their work, click here. Explore previous fellowship program initiatives here.