Binsen J Gonzalez is a special projects consultant for engagement initiatives. His focus and passion on developing sustainable paths to better quality of life for people in cities has led him to design and execute plans for global thought leaders involved in organizations such as the Global Economic Forum. In 2014, the PRISA media conglomerate, named Binsen as one of 20 Latin American millennials poised to change the future. Binsen is a K880 Emerging City Champion fellow and a judge for the Voto Latino Innovation Challenge. He has been involved with diplomatic projects nationally and abroad. He is also an AmeriCorps alum and graduated from Emerson College in Boston, MA with a Bachelor's in Communication Studies.
- Editorial Director
Saskya is originally from Brazil and is proud to call Miami home, for over ten years. She graduated from The Honors College at Florida International University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry, and is also an alumnus of the Honors College at Miami Dade College. She is currently an instructor of biology and chemistry for The Princeton Review. Besides being a science geek, she is an avid photographer, tribal fusion belly dancer, and baker. Her artistic interests have led her to co-curate an art show at the FROST art museum and work as a photographer at the Bakehouse Art Complex. She is passionate about community engagement and aims to share stories of the inspiring people who make up Miami. She hopes to be able to encourage others to use their creativity and self-expression to revolutionize themselves and their communities.
- Co-Founder & Communications
Ashley Cummings is a bilingual integrated communications professional who has helped develop and execute PR campaigns for startups and established consumer and technology brands, including Microsoft, Dropbox and Coca Cola. Originally an East Coaster, she moved to San Francisco after studying communications at the University of Pennsylvania, which she completed in three years. She specializes in message development and media relations execution, having secured top tier coverage in everything from The Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch and Cosmopolitan.
- Editor
An Emerson Lion (Broadcast Journalism with a minor in photography), Adam combines all the aspirations of his alma mater: loyalty, clarity, and a mastery of communication innovation. In the last few years, Adam has worn many hats. As a journalist, he led live coverage of the National Poetry Slam and Boston Comedy Festival. As a producer, he helped start Boston’s first reality-comedy and cut a sketch CD with comedian Blake Wexler (the limited print Adam and Blake: Sibling Brothers). It was around this time he found success in children’s theater with the play Sidekickin’ It. Seeking greater mastery of the written word, Adam traveled to Los Angeles. There, he would write two more plays (represented by YouthPlays), doctor independent films and partner with Very Important Productions. He is currently developing two web projects and a gameshow.
Josh Fay- Community Manager
Leads grassroots community engagement for OCT. His role is to bring together proactive culture makers on like minded projects, and to guide the different groups in the unifying direction of connection and growth for a better Miami. Josh is an ethnographer focusing on Miami subcultures and the people who help maintain those cultures. After studying Psychology and graduating from Florida State University he taught English as a second language overseas. He lived in Korea for a year and worked with children and adults helping them increase their understanding of the English language and US culture in general.
Maria Sevilla- Editor
Born and raised in Argentina and a recent Georgetown Law School graduate, Maria has returned to Miami after six years because she wants to be a driving and nurturing force in redefining Miami, as city of innovation. She is passionate about women’s and children's rights and has spent the last few years working to fight domestic violence and child neglect. Maria hopes to continue that work in Miami and is particularly excited to explore new tools to maximize social justice by working from the intersection of the tech, entrepreneurship, and legal worlds. She is also an alumni from The Honors College at Miami Dade College and a FASPE (Fellowship Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics) fellow.
- Writer & Producer
She is a rising Senior at Boston University pursuing a B.S. in Film/Television and a B.A. in History. She has experience in Communications at WNET New York Public Media and HistoryMiami, and has published work for The Paley Center for Media. She is an avid arts patron with a special interest in theater.
- Senior Web Developer
Ariel Leonardo Gutierrez grew up in a small town named Diezmero, where inventing was a hobby for everybody. That remote place located in La Habana, Cuba, was the cradle of his vision as a designer. While living in U.S. he enrolled in Miami Lakes Tech where he gained proficiencies in web and graphic design, drafting, and sketching. He is currently studying Mechanical Engineering in the Honors College at Miami-Dade College. He has participated in conventions including Washington Center Seminar and United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Presently, Ariel applies his creative skills in an International Vehicle Design Committee where he has sought to replace the conventional use of internal combustion engine cars with sustainable, green vehicles. Ariel would like to transfer to Georgia Institute of Technology to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and then specialize in Transportation Design.
- Web Developer & Programmer
Juan J. Albrecht is an Honors Student at Miami Dade College where he is currently majoring in Computer Engineering, covering both hardware and software sectors. Although he came from Cuba only two years ago, he has shown proficient skills in the STEM Field; especially in Mathematics. Juan aspires to pursue a major in Computer Engineering with a minor in Applied Mathematics at the University of California- Berkeley, and then complete his Master’s Degree at the University of Illinois. In his free time, he engages in Community Service at Hialeah Gardens High School or sometimes he provides tutoring to fellow colleagues on Campus.
About OCT
OCT is a grassroots digital media and innovation organization that highlights Miami’s startups, entrepreneurs, & creatives who #RedefineMiami.
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged.
