A Bit About Me

Hello, my name is Gennie Gonzalez. I am an award-winning researcher and economic development professional based in Western North Carolina. My work sits at the intersection of real estate, data analysis, and local economic systems, with a focus on helping communities make informed, financially sound decisions about growth and development.

I currently help manage a cooperative housing and commercial portfolio at El Ejido. My responsibilities include property budgeting, tenant coordination, asset management, and operational system development. This work supports long-term housing stability and locally owned commercial space in Asheville’s Emma community.

Nationally, I contribute to the local economies movement through my work with Neighborhood Economics. Previously, at Urban3, I analyzed and visualized the fiscal impacts of land use and development patterns, helping municipalities understand tax productivity, infrastructure return on investment, and long-term financial sustainability. I also supported climate risk and vulnerability projects with Fernleaf, integrating spatial data and resilience metrics into planning efforts.

My research on community history and neighborhood change has been recognized by UNC Asheville and the African Americans in Western North Carolina Conference.

I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Analytics at Georgia Tech to further strengthen my quantitative and GIS skill set. My background in sociology, combined with my experience as a licensed real estate broker, allows me to bridge technical analysis with on-the-ground housing and development practice.