Bio
Karina Altavila is a Master of Public Administration candidate at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, specializing in Urban Policy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from PUC-São Paulo and completed an academic exchange at Sciences Po Aix in France. With over seven years of experience in the nonprofit and public consulting sectors, Karina has designed strategies to help cities adopt and adapt successful public policies, facilitated workshops to strengthen local data practices across the Americas, and conducted research on policy evaluation frameworks. Early in her career, she supported state education departments in expanding access to quality education and taught in underserved public schools through Teach for All, cultivating hands-on experience in policy implementation and community engagement. Passionate about global urban collaboration, she seeks to create peer-sharing opportunities that allow cities to learn from one another’s innovations and best practices. Fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French, Karina enjoys exploring languages, cultures, and global urban systems. Building on her academic and international experiences, she is committed to advancing urban policies in New York City that are equitable, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of its diverse communities
