Kimberly Mota was born and raised in Queens, NY by Mexican and Peruvian parents. Coming from a mixed status family, she became aware from a young age about privilege - including her own, and the liminality and inaccessibility of spaces. Because of this, she became more interested in the social implications of design which led her to build a foundation centering ethnic and decolonial studies with design work. Kimberly attended LaGuardia Community College and transferred to Mount Holyoke College where she graduated with her B.A. in Architectural Studies and minor in Latinx Studies.

Identifying as a first generation community college transfer student, education access, youth advocacy and community engagement is central to the work she has done and hopes to continue engaging in. Prior to joining The Design Trust for Public Space, Kimberly was the Education Coordinator at El Puente where youth leadership and empowerment were at the forefront of her program. She also serves as a Mentor Coach in the 2020 LaGuardia Community College Cohort for America Needs You.

Kimberly is excited to be working with the Design Trust for Public Space and hopes to one day start a design program for underrepresented youth in NYC.