Paula, Pineda, Division Manager, Economic Development, City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department. Dr. Pineda is currently designing and leading the City of Houston’s new Economic Development Division within the Department of Housing and Community Development. Under her leadership, the City of Houston will pursue a small business development strategy, with an emphasis on micro-enterprises and disenfranchised business owners. Dr. Pineda is committed to providing economic opportunity for all Houstonians as a means to empower under-resourced communities and address inequality. Dr. Pineda draws from her experience across academia and government to contribute data-driven, strategic leadership to this mission. As a scholar of ethnic identity, ethnic conflict, and decentralization institutions, Dr. Pineda draws on her research background and interests to design programming and policy that addresses structural inequalities. An excellent communicator, Dr. Pineda has presented on identity, ethnicity, institutional design, and inclusive policy design across the US, UN-partnered initiatives, and abroad.