https://ciaraalikhan.com/general-6 daily 1.0 2026-01-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/7ca2c991-95c5-4a17-9869-6728f3f2b6b3/DSC05693.JPG About About Me Hi, I’m Ciara Ali, a service designer, strategist, and creative problem-solver based in Philly and Miami. My journey started in social services and public health, working directly with communities to evaluate, improve, and reimagine federally funded programs. I saw firsthand how policies and systems shape people’s lives, often creating barriers instead of support, and I became committed to designing public services that are more accessible, dignified, and equitable. Over the years, I’ve worked across government, nonprofit, civic tech, and international development, leading research, co-design, and capacity-building efforts. My approach is rooted in pluralism and interdependence, design is not about a single voice, method, or solution. Good design is collective, shared, and built with the people who rely on it. https://ciaraalikhan.com/international-development daily 0.75 2022-02-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/d3275c16-698f-436b-9596-8123801356d0/DSC00530.JPG International Development - Developed, tested, and deployed a digital payment & financial education chatbot communication tool to serve 6k participants in the United Nations Capital Development Fund’s JSF beneficiaries in the Gambia, Africa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/8d81fcc2-2190-45aa-9437-ed9e3cd0d862/DSC00519.jpg International Development https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/0cf7a15c-c51c-4e93-9f8e-6d45309614dd/DSC00518.JPG International Development https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/9ef852a7-7ecb-4c6d-9621-f52f50e5b354/DSC00701.JPG International Development https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/0f42d29b-c0af-43b5-9746-09d13a8e5024/MEIO5201.JPG International Development https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/04fa380e-31f3-4947-b65f-9ff461b5817a/DSC00584.JPG International Development https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/50df3a38-32c7-4a00-9242-f88503db855c/a.JPG International Development https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/dd9a6d45-5493-4161-9134-0e0c18b0c0a2/asdf.JPG International Development https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/741f4902-ebf6-485f-8240-87f184f39bae/bb.JPG International Development https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/eb78cfcb-a17e-4c25-885a-d82ed9ca8d7c/abasdf.JPG International Development https://ciaraalikhan.com/government-systems daily 0.75 2025-02-24 https://ciaraalikhan.com/government-systems/project-five-k5pz5 monthly 0.5 2022-02-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/7233df34-a95b-486f-aa6d-6de614820c6e/liheap-application-eng_Page_1.png Government Systems - Increasing Energy Assistance Application Completion Rates Current Design https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/b0e6a44a-2c44-4794-b374-bf488e222b0d/liheap-application-eng_Page_2.png Government Systems - Increasing Energy Assistance Application Completion Rates Current Design https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/3e07fe5f-5875-4481-8f89-e111c7e67f16/liheap-application-eng_Page_4.png Government Systems - Increasing Energy Assistance Application Completion Rates Current Design https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/55d21dc7-44f3-4ab5-90e6-62e945262601/KT+LIHEAP_v2+%281%29_Page_1.png Government Systems - Increasing Energy Assistance Application Completion Rates Redesign https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/e3080639-355f-49a8-b628-718cc1cec375/KT+LIHEAP_v2+%281%29_Page_2.png Government Systems - Increasing Energy Assistance Application Completion Rates Redesign https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/1a56e761-bc80-4531-98e9-7728a17bc2c2/KT+LIHEAP_v2+%281%29_Page_3.png Government Systems - Increasing Energy Assistance Application Completion Rates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/b53533b9-cda9-4d16-be99-02170a745de0/KT+LIHEAP_v2+%281%29_Page_3.png Government Systems - Increasing Energy Assistance Application Completion Rates https://ciaraalikhan.com/government-systems/project-four-f2464 monthly 0.5 2022-02-19 https://ciaraalikhan.com/government-systems/project-three-74pc3 monthly 0.5 2022-02-19 https://ciaraalikhan.com/government-systems/project-two-zj94b monthly 0.5 2022-02-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/e462664c-240a-401c-9bdc-78b30f49ae96/Capture.JPG Government Systems - Effective Design for Access to Economic Aid - COVID Relief Aid Government systems often make accessing resources absurdly complicated. They aren’t held accountable for poor design and put the onus on users to navigate a broken system. Our work addressed the urgency to connect people with CARES funding and preventing avoidable evictions. We uncovered systemic design flaws that prevented people from accessing necessary homelessness resources. Our work resulted in helpline operational issues being resolved and generated momentum for innovation among stakeholders and partners. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/c1180f33-3ff7-41f2-a4b7-683bc23d66d6/1.JPG Government Systems - Effective Design for Access to Economic Aid Users shared they want to be able to cut through the noise and go straight to source. Looking for aid during a stressful time is in itself a barrier to access. We redesigned the landing page to be direct and easily navigable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/ad86565f-ccc3-4caa-b38c-e582d5a6c44a/6.JPG Government Systems - Effective Design for Access to Economic Aid We tested and piloted clear categories & filters to help users find prospective aid opportunities quickly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/6bd35051-d8fe-4193-a757-d37b6a7e3364/2.JPG Government Systems - Effective Design for Access to Economic Aid We tested and piloted clear categories & filters to help users find prospective aid opportunities quickly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/c15311e4-5af5-43b9-ad37-e357a041cee0/3.JPG Government Systems - Effective Design for Access to Economic Aid Clear categories & filters to help users find prospective aid opportunities quickly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/2ba6edff-8770-4bc3-b45d-f1e542ab0889/5.JPG Government Systems - Effective Design for Access to Economic Aid We did the research & revised language to take out the guess work for users. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/db441067-5d95-44b2-bbf2-e1291827b63a/4.JPG Government Systems - Effective Design for Access to Economic Aid Every resource landing page is designed to effectively communicate information to the user about eligibility, timeline, requirements and application processes. https://ciaraalikhan.com/government-systems/project-one-2x3z5 monthly 0.5 2022-02-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/5f64f745-2b5f-44ad-859b-782debb8e50a/asdfasdfasdfasdf.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/ed37f927-d7a3-4453-913f-46cd3f38c15b/Rectangle.jpg Government Systems - Driver's License Suspension Task Force - User Research We mixed human stories with data to build momentum for implementing solutions. We conducted in-depth research to understand the common and consequential non-driving related barriers to keeping and maintaining a license. We engaged directly-impacted community members in design. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg Government Systems - Driver's License Suspension Task Force https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Government Systems - Driver's License Suspension Task Force https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694644871-IC85FNH781UNZSZEGHDR/Aro+Ha_0428.jpg Government Systems - Driver's License Suspension Task Force https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847767761-J2M1HI20BXRQ9XCR0HUD/Large+JPG-Aro+Ha_0387.jpg Government Systems - Driver's License Suspension Task Force https://ciaraalikhan.com/academia daily 0.75 2022-02-21 https://ciaraalikhan.com/academia/project-four-h8adw monthly 0.5 2022-02-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/ae5e435c-2d29-4b46-bce2-249022f91cb9/Copy+of+Social+Pain_Page_07.png Academia - Social Pain Task Design https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/c4592c8f-2cfb-48ea-b491-486b2a01ffc7/Copy+of+Social+Pain_Page_08.png Academia - Social Pain Task Design https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/4726b3b5-11bd-4298-847a-ed815c4051c5/Copy+of+Social+Pain_Page_12.png Academia - Social Pain Task Design https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/4b2fb19f-0c20-455c-b803-7146cbc43554/Copy+of+Social+Pain_Page_11.png Academia - Social Pain Task Design https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/f65a2daf-b6f2-46f4-b7e6-35eb386352ba/Copy+of+Social+Pain_Page_04.png Academia - Social Pain Task Design https://ciaraalikhan.com/academia/project-two-pbsj3 monthly 0.5 2022-02-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/d0559b5a-c1f0-4a81-ac82-219c42afdc48/429.png Academia - Digital Intervention Design for Black Adolescent Mental Health https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/3cadf43a-e8b2-4d87-914a-2b6304b90008/44+%281%29.png Academia - Digital Intervention Design for Black Adolescent Mental Health https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/72466c2f-4781-4353-bf8a-dd4c441bbb85/426+%281%29.png Academia - Digital Intervention Design for Black Adolescent Mental Health https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/e52329ad-4b6e-46bc-9522-c5e2c7b24b25/3.png Academia - Digital Intervention Design for Black Adolescent Mental Health https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/af59dbf2-856a-46b6-b79c-4deb74609726/13.png Academia - Digital Intervention Design for Black Adolescent Mental Health https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/a9445ea2-5517-49fe-a5a0-43a073526198/9.png Academia - Digital Intervention Design for Black Adolescent Mental Health https://ciaraalikhan.com/academia/project-one-5dek7 monthly 0.5 2022-02-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/95316fb6-d629-415f-8df6-47d7621feeed/CPS+Survey+Handover+Document+%281%29_Page_03.png Academia - Digital Design for Assessing Maltreatment Practices of Child Protection Services https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/c5e4eec1-8fa6-4f0c-a9c8-d094efb15b3f/CPS+Survey+Handover+Document+%281%29_Page_09.png Academia - Digital Design for Assessing Maltreatment Practices of Child Protection Services https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/6ac31bfb-7e89-461c-94d1-7b5f25bb4224/CPS+Survey+Handover+Document+%281%29_Page_05.png Academia - Digital Design for Assessing Maltreatment Practices of Child Protection Services https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/53a22df2-4c8b-4d72-b43c-c70f4621429b/CPS+Survey+Handover+Document+%281%29_Page_04.png Academia - Digital Design for Assessing Maltreatment Practices of Child Protection Services https://ciaraalikhan.com/land-equity daily 0.75 2022-02-19 https://ciaraalikhan.com/land-equity/project-three-575zb monthly 0.5 2022-02-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/3afa7568-2a67-4456-8cb3-bb4bafb9c835/HistoryMiami+Presentation_Page_17.png Climate Justice + Land Equity - BIPOC Land Sovereignty https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/377f80b0-50a6-458f-aaef-d74fe67de066/HistoryMiami+Presentation_Page_16.png Climate Justice + Land Equity - BIPOC Land Sovereignty https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/dc224670-eb07-49c2-b27c-aa2ce8b4277a/DSC01222.jpg Climate Justice + Land Equity - BIPOC Land Sovereignty https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/1db34619-8baa-475c-af7c-c0dc25d89e5e/DSC01902.jpg Climate Justice + Land Equity - BIPOC Land Sovereignty https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/b18fd549-f7e3-443e-9ab6-524c1fc4bd3c/DSC01633.jpg Climate Justice + Land Equity - BIPOC Land Sovereignty https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/97459711-9c11-447c-bb9b-672982859fe6/HistoryMiami+Presentation_Page_03.png Climate Justice + Land Equity - BIPOC Land Sovereignty https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/254e9a74-ebf9-4752-855f-ed19b5f6e0de/DSC01355.JPG Climate Justice + Land Equity - BIPOC Land Sovereignty https://ciaraalikhan.com/land-equity/project-one-z6r7g monthly 0.5 2022-02-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/efd4431b-de73-41c2-a42b-d5a772645979/SM_VANALENWORKSHOP_DECEMBER_002.JPG Climate Justice + Land Equity - Climate Adaptive Design - Making space for illuminating solutions. We hosted (I co-facilitated) an Adaptive Design Workshop with 40 climate leaders from a range of industries to develop a list of discrete, potential solutions to overcoming barriers related to getting climate adaptive designs off the ground that can be supported by Van Alen Institute. https://ciaraalikhan.com/nonprofit-consulting daily 0.75 2022-02-19 https://ciaraalikhan.com/nonprofit-consulting/project-two-3789w monthly 0.5 2022-02-19 https://ciaraalikhan.com/nonprofit-consulting/project-one-aalyt monthly 0.5 2022-02-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090bfdf0d5e0f4f3be80076/775aca54-b0cd-46c2-8c57-0c4b550b1263/241471589_536360514356455_4234162687353102493_n.jpg Nonprofit Consulting - Leadership Innovation for Racial Justice + Abolition - Make it stand out Source: CCI Instagram