Larisa Ortiz is a nationally recognized expert in retail strategy in mixed-use urban environments. With nearly three decades of experience, she has helped cities, non-profits, and real estate developers craft strategies that drive investment and support equitable growth. A Managing Director at Streetsense, she leads strategic planning for downtowns, retail corridors, and mixed-use districts. Larisa is the author of Improving Tenant Mix (ICSC) and Preparing a Commercial District Diagnostic (LISC) and is a sought-after speaker and advisor. From 2015 to 2022, she served as a New York City Planning Commissioner. A Fulbright Scholar and Watson Fellow, she holds a Master’s in City Planning from MIT and a B.A. with Honors from Wesleyan University.