Who We Are

Angelica Arias

Program Coordinator
Prince George’s County Office
aarias@ndc-md.org
(301) 830-6517

Angelica is a recent graduate from the University of Maryland, College Park. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture and a minor in Construction Project Management. Angelica’s interests include anything that allows her to open up her inner creativity, and going on adventures. Angelica wants to continue her education to pursue her master’s in Architecture and Community Planning and design. She was excited to intern at NDC in summer 2021 to continue learning about community-engaged design and using equitable design methods to help shape the built environment of our local communities! Angelica then joined our team as a full time staff member.

Collin Breidenbach

Forestry Technician
Prince George’s County Office
cbreidenbach@ndc-md.org
(443) 934-3998

Collin is the Forestry Technician for the Neighborhood Design Center’s community urban forestry program. He is a graduate of McDaniel College with a degree in Environmental Policy & Management. Collin has experience with ecosystem restoration, forestry work and environmental education. Collin possesses knowledge of regional ecosystems and native flora and fauna. He is also passionate about environmental justice and is excited to use his skill set to bring equitable tree planting initiatives to Prince George's County, by way of community engagement. In his spare time Collin enjoys hiking, running,
and fishing the many waterways of Maryland.

Karla Brent

Project Coordinator
Baltimore City Office
kbrent@ndc-md.org
(410) 472-5122

Holding an architect license in the state of Maryland, Karla is developing the Arts Space Technical Assistance program at NDC. She offers guidance to local artists and arts groups in defining their spatial needs while also complying with life safety code. Her passion to uplift underserved communities began at Norwich University where she received her Masters of Architecture. In her thesis, Karla studied informal settlements and how water infrastructure can be constructed and implemented into communities without using heavy machinery. Outside of work, Karla can be found roller skating anywhere that she won’t get yelled at for it.

Lubna Chaudhry

Project Manager, Architecture and Interiors
Baltimore City and Prince George's County Office
lchaudhry@ndc-md.org
(301) 830-8251

Lubna Chaudhry is a former intern, and volunteer turned Project Manager for Architecture and Interiors projects at NDC. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Architecture from the University of Maryland, where she first explored the transformative power of design through the study of displacement and the need for community spaces in refugee camps. She also has a Masters of International Cooperation and Sustainable Emergency Architecture from the International University of Catalonia, Barcelona, where her thesis research focused on using education facilities as temporary shelters in The Gaza Strip, Palestine. With her unwavering belief in the right of every individual to live in a safe and healthy environment, she is dedicated to finding innovative solutions for communities facing issues caused by inadequate planning and architecture. When not at work, you'll likely find her strolling through a city, searching for a chill coffee shop, seeking local street art, and looking at "cool buildings."

Jackie Clinton-Harris

Operations Manager
Baltimore City and PGC Office
jharris@ndc-md.org
(410) 233-9686

Jackie is the Operations Manager supporting NDC in human resources, technology, office management, and accounting. She has a dual Master's in Innovation Management from IAE - Aix en Provence, France, and North Carolina State University. She is passionate about evaluating and improving systems from a human-centered approach. In her free time, you can find Jackie exploring local hidden gems or relaxing near a large body of water. 

Julia DiMauro

Program Manager
Baltimore City Office
jdimauro@ndc-md.org
(410) 205-9952

Julia is a returning Baltimorean and committed localist with a passion for collaboratively imagining futures for the built environment while honoring its histories. She came to NDC after living in Berlin, Germany for six years while completing her Master's in Historical Urban Studies and working in the field of civic participation. After working on interdisciplinary projects ranging from city-wide discussions about Zurich's climate action plan, to neighborhood engagement on public greenspaces and mobility, she is excited to be on site in Baltimore working with and for community-initiated projects. Outside of work you'll find her biking somewhere with a cake strapped to her back rack.

Jennifer Goold

Executive Director
Baltimore City and Prince George’s County Offices
jgoold@ndc-md.org

Jennifer Goold joined the Neighborhood Design Center in 2012 after more than a decade of work in cultural resources management, historic preservation, development and planning. At NDC, she directs all aspects of the center’s operations including staff, programs, outreach, and fundraising. A Baltimore resident since 1993, she has been involved in many of the city’s largest historic building rehabilitations, including the American Can Company, Silo Point and Tide Point. She received a BS in Interior Design from Indiana University and an MS in Historic Preservation from Columbia University. Hailing from Boone County Indiana, Jen’s early years included 10-year 4H membership including winning the title of master showman.

Merrell Hambleton

Program Manager, Arts Planning and Cultural Programming
Baltimore City and Prince George's County Office
mhambleton@ndc-md.org
(410) 777-5644

Merrell is a designer and writer with an enduring belief in the power of place. At NDC, she leads arts-based planning, creative placekeeping, and cultural programming. Past projects include NDC's NEA-supported programs Build Together, a designer-in-residence program, and Signal Station North, a two-year planning and engagement initiative rooted in building access and equity through public space lighting. Prior to her work with NDC, Merrell produced public art projects with the artist Steve Powers and the New York-based nonprofit Creative Time. She has a dual MA in Social Design and Critical Studies from MICA and BA in History from Columbia University.

Briony Hynson

Deputy Director
Baltimore City Office
bhynson@ndc-md.org
(301) 830-5219

As Deputy Director, Briony leads development, design leadership and engagement initiatives at NDC. Briony started in her role at NDC in 2013, after completion of the Robert W. Deutsch Social Design Fellowship at Maryland Institute College of Art. The lynchpin of her work is understanding community and the shared built environment to leverage positive social change. Previously, as the founding creative director of Honfleur Gallery, Briony employed varied approaches to build creative capacity via revitalization efforts in Washington DC’s Ward 8. Hynson holds a BFA in Sculpture from Alfred University and an MA in Social Design from MICA.  

For inquiries and to request accommodation regarding accessibility, contact Briony.

Dana Puzey

Contracts and Billing Manager, Project Management Officer
Prince George’s County Office
dpuzey@ndc-md.org
(301) 850-1724

Dana is responsible for securing and managing the grants and contracts at the Neighborhood Design Center for both the Prince Georges County and Baltimore offices. Ms. Puzey began her post graduate career in Baltimore City in 2009, working with residents and communities to identify stormwater problems and site stormwater BMPs. In 2015, Dana joined NDC to oversee the organization’s urban forestry work in Prince George’s County. Her work evolved to include enterprise development for both offices and she served as an executive team member in the Enterprise Development Director role through 2022. Throughout her career, she has focused on program development and financial management. Dana received a Bachelor’s degree from Elon University in Environmental Studies and a Master’s degree from Virginia Tech in Urban and Regional Planning. When she’s not at the office, Dana keeps busy by exploring parks and museums with her young children.

Nicole Ringel

Development Manager
Baltimore City Office
nringel@ndc-md.org
(443) 842-0206

Nicole Ringel is an artist and arts administrator with a passion for place-based art and design that activates civic engagement, amplifies community voices, and contributes to a strengthened social fabric for all. Nicole received a B.A. in Studio Art and Art History from McDaniel College and completed her M.F.A. in Intermedia and Digital Art at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where her thesis work focused on investigating layered social and ecological histories in public spaces. Nicole comes to the Neighborhood Design Center from Baltimore Center Stage, where she managed fundraising operations across corporate, foundation, government, individual giving, and special events.

Laura Robinson

Environmental Resilience + Landscape Design Interim Program Director
Prince George’s County and Baltimore City Office
lrobinson@ndc-md.org
(301) 850-6697

Laura is a landscape designer and ISA Certified Arborist with a background in field biology and graphic communication. Her work focuses on landscape design and community engagement projects that help increase tree canopy and green spaces in the region. Before NDC, Laura worked in residential design, environmental education, and information technology. She received a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Media Arts and Design from James Madison University, and more recently received her Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Maryland. Outside of the office, Laura enjoys walking her senior dog, attempting woven art, and surprisingly enough - trying to keep her house plants alive.

Jenny Smeltzer

Project Manager, Landscape Design
Prince George’s County Office
jsmeltzer@ndc-md.org
(240) 799-1365

Jenny is a landscape architect and LEED AP with 18 years of experience designing open spaces, including parks, campuses, urban areas, and historic spaces that incorporate restoration planting, edible landscapes, stormwater management, water harvesting, coastal/water’s edge projects, and infill design. Jenny appreciates functional landscapes that beautify and address environmental, cultural, and social challenges. When not at NDC, Jenny hikes on trails and walks in their neighborhood, always looking for clotheslines, vegetable gardens, and skunk cabbage.

Dequan Spencer

Landscape Designer
Prince George’s County Office
dspencer@ndc-md.org
(301) 850-1462

Dequan joins us as our new Landscape Designer with a background working with collaborative teams on multidisciplinary projects at various scales, from concept to construction. His design experience includes mixed-use developments, riverfront design, streetscape projects, and more in the urban realm.

Maddy Silberger-Franek

AmeriaCorps VISTA
msfranek@ndc-md.org
(443) 835-5582

Maddy is our new AmeriCorps VISTA and is a designer focused on cultivating urban environments that promote health and well-being through creating and reinforcing future states of equity, justice, and sustainability.