Haydn Wilfinger

About

Student researcher and data analyst focused on equitable urban development, spatial justice, housing policy, and data-driven planning. Conducts quantitative and qualitative research for statewide infrastructure affordability and built-environment equity, while supporting legal review work for wrongful-conviction cases and producing stakeholder-informed recommendations for public-sector initiatives.

Experience

• Urban Innovation Research Intern · ESG RELAB09-01-2025 – 05-01-2026

  ● Conduct analysis of real estate trends and city infrastructure conditions to evaluate equity-oriented innovation strategies in the built environment. ● Write research reports integrating social equity, policy analysis, and community-centered development frameworks.

• Research Assistant (Paid, 35–40 hours/week) · UNC Environmental Finance Center04-01-2025

  ● Selected as 1 of 6 undergraduates to support statewide utilities and infrastructure finance research. ● Analyze affordability disparities in utility rate structures compared to national benchmarks, supplying local and state governments with evidence for equitable pricing reforms.

• Student Consultant (UNC Public Policy Capstone Program) · Wake County Office of Organizational Excellence01-01-2026 – 05-31-2026

  ● Conducted a comparative analysis of 6–8 peer jurisdictions’ nonprofit capacity-building models, identifying best practices and policy considerations to inform Wake County’s strategic framework. ● Mapped Wake County’s cross-departmental nonprofit engagement practices through stakeholder interviews and document analysis, highlighting gaps, inconsistencies, and opportunities for improved coordination. ● Synthesized qualitative interviews with county staff and nonprofit partners to assess capacity challenges and develop data-driven strategic recommendations for a countywide nonprofit capacity-building initiative.

• Undergraduate Data Analyst · North Carolina Innocence Project09-01-2023 – 05-01-2026

  ● Appointed to graduate research team that reviews 3,000+ pages of trial transcripts for five active wrongful-conviction cases; identify legal inconsistencies and overlooked evidence. ● Deliver research summaries to legal teams assessing case viability.

• Campus Organizing Fellow (Paid, 15 hours/week) · Jewish Democratic Council of America07-01-2024 – 11-30-2024

  ● Engaged 25,000+ potential voters through digital outreach; personally contacted 1,200+ voters in key states to support civic participation. ● Led a team of 6 volunteers to organize and execute 3 on-campus political events, engaging over 40 participants and fostering civic engagement and duty.

• Local Government Intern · Office of the First Selectman, Town of Ridgefield, CT05-01-2022 – 06-30-2022

  ● Learned and leveraged analytical and ethnographic research principles to successfully generate recommendations for top social city issues, including housing and racial integration. ● Optimized communication skills through interaction with 30 local, diverse businesses with the goal of unearthing individual insights and to address requested needs. ● Wrote and edited the First Selectman’s public speeches, including his Memorial Day speech and his address for the Annual Police Officer Induction Ceremony.

• Head Busser · Westchester Country Club07-01-2022 – 08-31-2024

  ● Promoted quickly for leadership in high-demand hospitality environments serving 200+ customers daily. ● Trained 14 new staff in operational best practices; improved team performance and customer satisfaction.

• Associate Gardener · Ridgefield Gardening Services06-01-2021 – 06-30-2022

  • Performed various garden and other landscape operations, multi-tasking across 30 clients • Provided expertise and answered questions from clients on future garden plans.

Education

• University of North Carolina at Chapel HillB.A. (Public Policy) and B.A. (Geography), Double Major: B.A. Public Policy & B.A. Geography; Concentration: Urban Development; Minor: Urban Studies and Planning
• American UniversityCoursework toward double major (B.A. Sociology & B.A. Criminology), Coursework toward Double Major: B.A. in Sociology & B.A. Criminology

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