December 30, 2024
Get to know Senior Special Projects Coordinator Alyssa Driscoll.
What did you want to be growing up?
I really wanted to be a National Geographic photographer or a wildlife photographer, which led me to wanting to be a shark biologist, but then I became afraid of them!
What was your first job?
I was a barista at Starbucks.
What did you study in college?
Communications and French
How did you end up at DVRPC?
It seemed like a lot of my personal interests were reflected in the work DVRPC does. Even though I am not a planner, I really liked the sustainability efforts, and I liked the concept of city planning and thinking about the “why” of everything. When the position became available, I thought it was an opportunity to be in a company I liked.
What are your responsibilities?
I do a lot of internal organizational development. I developed our current onboarding system, and I am working on developing a learning and development plan for the Commission. I do a lot of internal administrative project management tasks.
What is your favorite part of working at DVRPC?
I get to be creative in a lot of the projects I work on. I work with people who are very passionate about what they do and also very knowledgeable, so I am learning all the time.
Can you tell me a little about your involvement with DVRPC’s employee resource groups?
I am a member of the Social Club and the IDEA Committee. With Social Club, I think it is important to make people feel welcome and excited to be here. And with the IDEA committee, we want to make sure that DEI efforts are recognized at DVRPC. That hopefully provides more avenues and access for people to be themselves at work in a safe way. I also think being a member of DEI, affinity, and resource groups are a really cool way to keep learning new things.
If you could immediately implement any change to the region, what would you do?
There are several streets that I would make car-free.
What is your work or life philosophy?
I did the Brené Brown values exercise and I came away with curiosity, beauty, and community. I try to keep those centered in all the work I do whether it is in my job or in my life. Am I being curious, am I admiring beauty or raising beauty or art up, and am I serving my community?
What three words best describe you?
Personable, strategic, and curious.
What is something colleagues don’t know about you?
I have been taking a ceramics class for a long time, and I do a lot of pottery in my free time.
Who would you like to drive across the country with?
I would drive across the country with Taylor Swift because I want to know anything and everything from her.
What actor would play you in the movie version of your life?
Dakota Johnson
What is your favorite leisure activity?
Taking a long walk with a podcast in the Woodlands in West Philly. It’s the best way to spend an afternoon.
What is your recent obsession?
Law & Order SVU
What is the best music you’ve heard recently?
Valley has a new album called Water the Flowers and Pray for a Garden. I feel like it is really hopeful, fun, and reflective.
What are the top three places you want to travel to?
I want to go to Kyoto, Buenos Aires, and I want to go back to Orléans, France.
Are you a cat or dog person?
Definitely a cat person.
What is a recent gift you’ve given or received?
With ceramics, I started making candlestick holders for my friends. I am giving everyone a different style.
What is the most meaningful item in your house?
Probably my cat. I would let my whole house burn down and save my cat, no question.
What are you looking forward to the most in 2025?
Consistency. In 2024, I tried to make a lot of habits and stick with them, so my goal is to keep the same goals, to keep consistent.