Shireen Deobhakta, Consulting Partner

With a strong belief in creating opportunity for each individual regardless of which zip code they come from, Dr. Shireen Deobhakta has focused her work in the areas of policy development and evaluation centered around Housing. Where a person lives has a direct impact on her physical and mental health, and ultimately, her access to opportunities. Geographic access to jobs, grocery stores, schools, and health centers determines an individual’s quality of life and wellbeing. As such, the link between housing and health is undeniable.

Shireen has conducted research in the areas of affordable housing, the link between homelessness and incarceration rates, the evaluation of HOPE VI projects in Lexington, as well as the social costs of revitalization in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. Additionally, she has a unique blend of qualitative and quantitative experience that enables her to present issues in a holistic manner, thereby facilitating change at a policy level.

Shireen currently works at the Office of the Mayor in Louisville, focusing on performance improvement. She uses Lean, Six Sigma, and Project Management tools to support various agencies in their goal to become the best managed government agencies in the country. Prior to that, she spent her career as a Public Finance Investment Banker, working with municipalities to structure bonds and notes for their capital projects. She held executive level positions at Huntington Capital Corporation and Chase Bank.

Shireen received her doctoral degree in Urban and Public Affairs from the University of Louisville. She also has a Masters of Business Administration from the Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University.