Archer Fellowship Program Alumni Profiles
Giselle Sebag
Spring 2008 Archer Fellow
Internship: Brookings Institute
Education
The University of Texas at Austin
B.A. Government, December 2008; B.S. Architectural Studies, August 2008
The Technische Universität Darmstadt
M.S. International Cooperation in Urban Development; July 2012
Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
M.S. International Cooperation in Sustainable Emergency Architecture; July 2013
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Master of Public Health; May 2015
Career
Director of Programs at the Center for Active Design
Spring 2008 Archer Fellow
Internship: Brookings Institute
Education
The University of Texas at Austin
B.A. Government, December 2008; B.S. Architectural Studies, August 2008
The Technische Universität Darmstadt
M.S. International Cooperation in Urban Development; July 2012
Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
M.S. International Cooperation in Sustainable Emergency Architecture; July 2013
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Master of Public Health; May 2015
Career
Director of Programs at the Center for Active Design
“As an Archer Fellow I had the unique opportunity to learn through real world observation and experience while being surrounding by the best and brightest from across Texas, who represented a rich diversity of perspectives and backgrounds but with a universal dedication to the public good through government.
Q & A with Giselle
Please tell us more about your current position.
I oversee the management, coordination and integrity of all aspects of our ongoing programs at the Center for Active Design, an independent non-profit organization that uses design to foster healthy and engaged communities. Programs include: Fitwel, a workplace certification created by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and General Services Administration that uses evidence to improve health and wellbeing outcomes of occupants; Assembly: Shaping Space for Civic Life, a research publication detailing practical design strategies for improving civic engagement outcomes such as civic trust, participation in public life, stewardship of the public realm, and informed local voting; and the Healthy Housing Index, which, in partnership with Fannie Mae, provides an interest rate discount to multifamily affordable housing borrowers that invest in the health and well-being of residents.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
I tracked and analyzed federal statistics and a range of constitutional law and policy platforms for educational curriculum development for the Center for Public Policy Education. I also coordinated communications and marketing for the Center’s leadership programs and supported executive education course programming and events.
What has been your general career path?
I am an innovative, impact-driven healthy and sustainable development specialist with progressively responsible experience designing and managing multidisciplinary urban development and health initiatives. I have demonstrated experience building strategic cross-sector programs and partnerships to promote healthy, resilient and inclusive homes, workplaces, communities and cities worldwide.
My career path has been generally as follows: sustainability policy and sustainability consulting; sustainable urban development, urban planning and international cooperation; building healthy places and cities globally.
My past experiences include positions at research institutions and non-profit organizations such as the Brookings Institution, Southface Energy Institute, the Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), MASS Design Group, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Harvard University and the Clinton Foundation.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
Understanding government, politics and policymaking are critical components of every single thing I am involved with, whether it is managing key relationships and programs with mayors to advance city sustainability or advising Fortune 500 companies, philanthropic foundations and NGOs in strategic planning, design and partnership building with governments and multilaterals. The Archer Fellowship Program taught me that including and getting buy-in from policymakers is the number one indicator of future success.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
As an Archer Fellow I had the unique opportunity to learn through real world observation and experience while being surrounding by the best and brightest from across Texas, who represented a rich diversity of perspectives and backgrounds but with a universal dedication to the public good through government.
What do you value the most about being an alumna?
The Archer Alumni network is unparalleled in its member breadth, successes and generosity in offering time and support.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
The time we spent as a group investigating the ins and outs of politics and policy with Dr. Daly, Dr. Swerdlow, and as a tight knit class visiting the greatest American institutions and cultural centers.
Please tell us more about your current position.
I oversee the management, coordination and integrity of all aspects of our ongoing programs at the Center for Active Design, an independent non-profit organization that uses design to foster healthy and engaged communities. Programs include: Fitwel, a workplace certification created by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and General Services Administration that uses evidence to improve health and wellbeing outcomes of occupants; Assembly: Shaping Space for Civic Life, a research publication detailing practical design strategies for improving civic engagement outcomes such as civic trust, participation in public life, stewardship of the public realm, and informed local voting; and the Healthy Housing Index, which, in partnership with Fannie Mae, provides an interest rate discount to multifamily affordable housing borrowers that invest in the health and well-being of residents.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
I tracked and analyzed federal statistics and a range of constitutional law and policy platforms for educational curriculum development for the Center for Public Policy Education. I also coordinated communications and marketing for the Center’s leadership programs and supported executive education course programming and events.
What has been your general career path?
I am an innovative, impact-driven healthy and sustainable development specialist with progressively responsible experience designing and managing multidisciplinary urban development and health initiatives. I have demonstrated experience building strategic cross-sector programs and partnerships to promote healthy, resilient and inclusive homes, workplaces, communities and cities worldwide.
My career path has been generally as follows: sustainability policy and sustainability consulting; sustainable urban development, urban planning and international cooperation; building healthy places and cities globally.
My past experiences include positions at research institutions and non-profit organizations such as the Brookings Institution, Southface Energy Institute, the Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), MASS Design Group, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Harvard University and the Clinton Foundation.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
Understanding government, politics and policymaking are critical components of every single thing I am involved with, whether it is managing key relationships and programs with mayors to advance city sustainability or advising Fortune 500 companies, philanthropic foundations and NGOs in strategic planning, design and partnership building with governments and multilaterals. The Archer Fellowship Program taught me that including and getting buy-in from policymakers is the number one indicator of future success.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
As an Archer Fellow I had the unique opportunity to learn through real world observation and experience while being surrounding by the best and brightest from across Texas, who represented a rich diversity of perspectives and backgrounds but with a universal dedication to the public good through government.
What do you value the most about being an alumna?
The Archer Alumni network is unparalleled in its member breadth, successes and generosity in offering time and support.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
The time we spent as a group investigating the ins and outs of politics and policy with Dr. Daly, Dr. Swerdlow, and as a tight knit class visiting the greatest American institutions and cultural centers.
