Dani Castillo
Design and Urban Ecologies (MS), Parsons School of Design
Dani Castillo majored in Architecture and minored in Urban Studies during her time as an undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania. Throughout her time at Penn, she embraced life in Philadelphia as an opportunity to get deeply involved in activism and issues highly significant to her through involvement in various on-campus groups, nonprofits and work-study positions. Some of these include Philly Aids Fund, Mural Arts, Fossil Free, the Urban Nutrition Initiative and more. After graduating, Dani returned to Samaj Pragati Sahayog, a non-governmental organization located in Madhya Pradesh, India, to continue work started during an internship placement offered through the Center for the Advanced Study of India. This year abroad was incredibly formative in regards to furthering her design thinking; this opportunity allowed for engagement in thoughtful, intentional design processes that took into account issues of sustainability, accessibility and waste with a talented team of designers and local producers. Since then she made the culturally rich city of Houston her home as she has gotten involved with Art League Houston and the growth of a STEAM education company while simultaneously dedicating herself to molding her own artistic process. Not only is she thrilled to be joining the Design and Urban Ecologies Program, she is absolutely honored and excited for the Impact Entrepreneurship Fellowship to be a major part of her New School journey.
What is the unmet social or environmental need you intend to address?
I would like to explore the possibilities for radical care, learning, healing, skills building and storytelling within the LGBTQ+ youth community with a foundation rooted upon a “sustainable” systems; simultaneously, I aim to raise questions regarding the roots of environmental stewardship, its transformation throughout history, and the accessibility of present-day zero-waste and ethical/slow fashion movements. Â
What most excites you about participating in the Impact Entrepreneurship Fellowship?
First and foremost, it’s an absolute honor to be considered among this cohort of students with similar dreams of creating positive impact; I’m most looking forward to connecting to and learning from ambitious and creative visionaries on this journey!
What most excites you about Impact Entrepreneurship in general?
To not falter in visions and hopes for a new future; to share the prospect of a small seed being planted (and guided and tended to collectively), that blooms into a beautiful, fruitful reality that addresses needs while building a sense of community around creative and sustainable processes.
Where do you think you need the most support regarding your venture concept?
Honestly, reworking, rethinking, or creatively restructuring with guidance and mentorship! I look forward to help in fostering special relationships and partnerships, and gaining invaluable lessons from Fellows, Mentors and Advisors.