Alaina Turnquist

Alaina Turnquist is the Data and GIS Manager at Pratt Center for Community Development, supporting the Pratt Center's development of research, reports, and educational tools on housing, land use, and climate. As a member of the research and policy team, Alaina leads quantitative and geographic analysis at Pratt Center. Alaina’s work has primarily focused on studying predatory home flipping and other forms of corporate speculation affecting 1-3 unit homes in New York City, particularly in low and moderate income communities of color.

Previously, Alaina served as lead budget and policy analyst at the New York City Independent Budget Office, where she developed and authored research on the City's public authorities, stadiums, tax breaks, large-scale development projects, and bike share system. She managed budgetary oversight of the Department of Small Business Services, Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, and the Department of City Planning. Prior to this, Alaina worked at the local and federal levels in government performance auditing as well as in the Texas State Legislature.

She received a Master's in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin LBJ School, and a B.A. from Bethel University. Alaina is originally from the Twin Cities. She is an avid runner, reader, and crocheter. Outside of work she enjoys singing in a community choir and caring for her two (giant) cats.