Daniela Rivero-Bryant

Daniela Rivero Bryant is a disaster economist, community developer, and the co-founder of Reimagine Development Partners (”RDP”). Her research focus is the impact of natural disasters on cities and individuals, and how leadership quality and government policy contribute to resilience and recovery. She has over 20 years of experience in community development and disaster recovery work in several countries, from the field to national policy. She is a NSF Graduate Research Fellow and will receive her Ph.D. in Economics from Tulane University in May of 2023.

During more than eight years of work in the post-Katrina New Orleans recovery, Daniela used her engineering and project management skills to support affordable housing recovery in New Orleans. Her efforts as Field Operations Director and later Executive Director of the nonprofit organization Rebuilding Together resulted in the reconstruction of over one thousand homes in the city’s most vulnerable communities. Daniela later became a member of the Louisiana Land Trust’s executive team, where she coordinated the statewide disposition and reuse of thousands of Katrina-damaged properties. 

In addition, Daniela has served on nonprofit organizations’ boards, from the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad to the Algiers Development District, where she is currently a commissioner.