By Siraj Asfahani | April 21, 2021
Lakota’s family is growing! We have expanded our team and welcome three new Lakotans: Hannah Bader, Associate; Emily Caruso, Graphic Designer and Communications Associate; and Denise Lam, Business Development. Our new hires come from unique backgrounds, see for yourselves!
Hannah Bader
Associate
Hannah is a designer and planner whose background focuses on environmental design and urban planning with an emphasis in equitably driven community and economic development. Her experience has led her to work on a wide range of projects from city park designs and mixed-use developments to comprehensive planning and community engagement.
The intersection between design and public engagement fuels her passion to give voice to different groups and ideas, finding innovative solutions to complex problems. Hannah, one of Lakota’s many MUPPs, holds a Master of Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois, Chicago and a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Q: Before working at the Lakota Group, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
A: designer & farmer in the jungle outside Panama City, Panama
Q: What makes Lakota different from other places you’ve worked?
A: Instills innovation and collaboration in their team
Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Art teacher
Q: A typical weekend for me is…
A: Relaxation with a touch of the outdoors
Q: What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
A: I know every word to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody
Emily Caruso
Graphic Designer and Communications Associate
Emily earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Communications with a minor in marketing from Ohio University in May 2018. Previously, she has worked as a graphic designer collaborating with brands such as General Electric, Walmart, and the Biden-Harris campaign to execute creative content and visual graphics. She has experience designing for both digital and print mediums and is passionate about creating research-driven and user-focused marketing materials that resonate with communities of various audiences. Emily leads Lakota’s community brands and is constantly on the hunt for innovative ways to connect people and places, developing identities and crafting stories.
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Q: Before working at the Lakota Group, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
A: In college, I interned with Southwest Airlines as visual communications intern for a semester. I spent every weekend on random flights, taking advantage of my standby privileges as an employee. In three months, I traveled to 17 states and out of the country once, for Day of the Dead in Mexico City.
Q:What makes Lakota different from other places you’ve worked?
A: Lakotans have a great culture of teamwork and helping one another when needed – which I think is hard to come by.
Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Author
Q: A typical weekend for me is…
A: Doing anything outside!
Q: What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
A: I secretly run an instagram account for me dog.
