Past Projects

 
 

Social Impact Data Strategy at edX | 2U

At edX, Edward provided essential data strategy for large-scale social impact projects, collaborating with Verizon and the government of Andhra Pradesh. His work included:

  • Verizon Partnership: Edward contributed data support to a nationwide initiative between edX and Verizon, aimed at upskilling Americans for tech careers. The program offered tuition-free access to courses across various industry sectors, enabling participants to build critical skills in emerging fields. (verizon.com)

  • Andhra Pradesh Collaboration: Edward supported the partnership between edX and the Andhra Pradesh government, which provided over 1.2 million students with access to more than 2,000 free online courses from top global universities. This initiative focused on expanding educational opportunities and skill development in the region. (thehindu.com)

Edward’s contributions helped empower these partnerships to achieve their educational and societal goals, illustrating the critical role of data in enabling large-scale impact.

 

Universal Pre-Kindergarden - New York City

While working for the NYC Department of Education, the office's budget increased from $150 million to over $550 million overnight. As one of the first hires in the newly created division, Edward has worked in multiple facets of the Pre-K for All Initiative including:

  • Writing of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for both Full-Day and Half-Day seats

  • Implementation, operations, and evaluation of the RFP process

  • Site Readiness for New Sites (including acting as a liaison to the Department of Health, Department of Buildings, and other permitting agencies)

  • Negotiation of Contract Rates and Distribution of Start-up Funding

  • Contract signing with new grantees

This work resulted in opening over 53,000 seats for New York City’s 4-year-olds in less than 8 months.

 

Manhattan Community Board 11

Teaching in East Harlem strengthened Edward’s resolve to act on the inequalities that he saw in the lives of families in the community. With that in mind, he was appointed to Manhattan Community Board 11, responsible for advocating on matters that affect the welfare of East Harlem residents. He has been reappointed twice and was elected Treasurer by the 50-person board, charged with the responsibility of managing the community board’s finances and fiscal priorities.

As Treasurer, he created the Friends of Community Board 11, allowing private and public organizations to provide and supplement funding to Community Board 11’s various advocacy and operational endeavors. While on Community Board 11, Edward also founded the Community Board 11 State Liquor Authority Subcommittee, creating a licensing process that managed the relationships between small businesses and residents of the community. After Edward founded the subcommittee, it was incorporated into a newly formed Community Board 11 Licenses and Permits Committee and he was named the committee’s chairman. The committee’s licensing process has since become a model for community boards across New York City.

 

Candidate for New York City Council

For more than 10 years, Edward has been fighting to improve his community as a teacher, community board member, and public servant. Edward decided to run to continue to fight to make sure every child receives a good education, that every adult secures a good paying job, and that every family has a safe, affordable place to call home. During this time, Edward:

  • Managed 5-person campaign team and over 50 volunteers for district-wide election

  • Acquired over $115,000 from over 500 individuals to build grassroots support

  • Led the campaign strategy through policy plans and presented solutions to various

  • constituencies to solve issues such as affordable housing, crime, and education

  • Created a coalition of supporters through the utilization of mail, door-knocking, phone calls, and social media

 

Filipino-American Dual Citizenship Initiative

In 2013, Edward was awarded a fellowship with the Filipino-American Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO). FYLPRO was established in 2012 by Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the United States of America, Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and Mrs. Victoria J. Cuisia in cooperation with the Ayala Foundation Inc. to identify, ten outstanding young professionals in the Filipino communities across the United States.

After recognizing the need for more user-friendly information for Filipinos interested in dual citizenship, Rachelle Ocampo and Edward developed a more streamline information process in conjunction with the Philippine Embassy. A website and programmatic sessions were developed including an interactive online questionnaire that helps navigate individuals to their options and streamlined steps that an applicant needs to become a dual citizen.