Carla Silva received her Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University with a concentration on Contemporary Social Problems. She is a multi-level social worker with extensive experience developing social service infrastructure within marginalized and materially disadvantaged communities she is a member of and an ally to. Her practice experience focuses on the praxis of change work, social justice, and equity with issues impacting sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and class. She appreciates the complex systems community members navigate to attain health, and well-being, and she strives to develop, strengthen, and create new processes that foster access, safety and security for all people. Presently, Carla is a doctoral student in the PhD Social Welfare Program at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York.