David Maurrasse, PhD
Founder & President
Dr. David Maurrasse is the Founder and President of Marga Incorporated, a consulting firm founded in 2000 providing strategic advisory services and research to philanthropic initiatives and community partnerships. Marga coordinates the work of the Anchor Institutions …
Sharmila Lawrence, MIA
Vice President- Consulting
Sharmila Lawrence has 20 years of experience in project management, research, and program design. She previously served as a Research Associate at the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) at…
Jason West, MPA
Consultant
Jason West recently completed a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Development Practice, specializing in Management and Data Analytics and Quantitative…
Shangchao Liu, PhD, MPA, MLitt
Research Officer
Shangchao Liu is a social scientist specializing in economics and human development. At the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Shangchao constructed and maintained the database of Urban Competitiveness in China and has published several papers and reports on housing, urbanization…
Kevin Kim Larson, Affiliate RIBA
Research Officer
Kevin Kim Larson brings experience in large scale urban design, residential and institutional architectural projects around the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and North America as an architect in New York (OMA Architects) and London (BIG Architects). His experience in architecture has…
Saliyah George, MPH
Research Officer
Saliyah George has worked in multiple public health institutions, such as the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH). While interning at the NYC DOHMH, she systematically searched and examined scholarly articles about racial health disparities and implicit…
Mala Coomar, MSc
Research Officer
Mala holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of South Florida Honors College and a Master of Science in Global Development from the University of Copenhagen. Her work includes research on human rights violations in the Commonwealth, refugee integration in Denmark, development activities in Tanzania, and racial injustice in the US…
Jesse Orellana
Research Assistant
As a Research Assistant Jesse Orellana provides background research for selected Marga projects focused on racial equity and aids in the creation of publications. Jesse has a background in a variety of sectors, but is consistently investigating unique insights…
Nabila Mehjabeen, MSGA
Research Assistant
Remy Burton, J.D.
Research Assistant
Sayeda George
Research Assistant
Sayeda George is a Research Assistant at Marga Inc with over 2 years of Public Health experience. Sayeda has effectively supported parents and children throughout New York City’s child welfare system…
Eva Motolinia
Research Assistant
Eva Motolinia graduated from Lewis & Clark College with a degree in International Affairs and a minor in Economics. She received departmental honors for her thesis that detailed how global institutions and trade policy reinforced dollar hegemony…
Lisa Cardoso
Research Assistant
PARTNERS
Cheryl Blankenship, M.S.
Partner
Cheryl brings over 35 years of work experience in the areas of higher education, financial management, and consulting to Marga Incorporated. Her work has included assessments of institutional and organizational systems and implementation of systemic changes to improve efficiency…
Sharmila Rao Thakkar
Partner
Sharmila Rao Thakkar, MPH, MPA, is a philanthropy and nonprofit consultant at SRT Advising & Consulting in New York City. Known for her expertise in leadership development, program implementation, resource development, and communications, Sharmila advises and coaches donors…
Jennifer Bryan, Ph.D.
Partner
Dr. Jennifer L. Bryan is a passionate and seasoned educator, facilitator, and research, evaluation, and technical assistance consultant with more than 25 years of experience working on issues of social justice, community building, and economic development. Dr. Bryan has served as Principal…
Salem Reiner
Partner
Salem delivers tactical consulting services to decision-makers in large organizations and small nonprofits focused on clarifying and realizing anchor institution, economic and community development, and community relations goals. Between late 2001 – mid-2020, including seven years in the office…