Nico Quintana

Originally from California and Oregon, Nico graduated from Smith College in 2006 with a degree in government and a minor in sociology. Nico was involved in campus organizations devoted to racial and economic justice, immigrant rights, and Transgender equality. After college, Nico worked as a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Policy Fellow in the office of Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) where Nico promoted the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus, organized a briefing series on race and poverty, and helped publish the first anti-poverty task force report for the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Nico also worked in the Office of Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) as a staff assistant.

Field placement: The Food Project

Boston, Massachusetts

Nico evaluated the impact of a pilot program that introduced food stamp machines (EBT terminals) at farmers markets in low-income Boston neighborhoods. Nico also supported the efforts of the Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness by organizing a community meeting series to discuss their food and fitness community assessment findings and identify policy priorities for making healthy food and active living accessible to all Boston families.

Policy placement: Center for American Progress

Washington, D.C.

Nico worked with the Poverty and Prosperity Program drafting reports, issue briefs, and public education materials on poverty and hunger with a focus on child nutrition and food access.  Nico also authored the issue brief “Poverty in the LGBT Community.”

Publications