Larisa Ortiz is a nationally recognized expert with nearly 30 years of experience advising public, private, and non‑profit sector leaders on retail strategy, downtown revitalization, and place‑based economic development. As Managing Director of Public + Non‑Profit Solutions for Streetsense, she works with cities, economic development agencies, BIDs, and institutional partners to diagnose and improve retail ecosystems that foster high‑functioning urban places.
Before joining Streetsense, Larisa founded Larisa Ortiz Associates, where she led award-winning projects including the City of Cambridge Retail Strategic Plan, the City of New York’s Commercial District Needs Assessment, and the launch of the first Business Improvement District in Latin America.
Appointed by New York City Mayor DiBlasio, Larisa served as a New York City Planning Commissioner for seven years, where she played a critical role in shaping policies related to commercial districts, mixed-use zoning, and small business vitality. Her work helped shift the city’s approach to local economic development by integrating data, equity, and community engagement into commercial district investment strategies.
Larisa is the author of Improving Tenant Mix: A Guide for Commercial District Practitioners (ICSC), and co-author of Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse (IEDC). She is currently working on a forthcoming book, "Foot Traffic: The New Rules for Urban Retail".
As a teacher and educator, Larisa has taught at Pratt Institute and served as a guest lecturer at institutions including Harvard University, Columbia University, and The New School, where she shares practical insights on commercial district planning, public-private partnerships, and equitable urban revitalization.
She is a Fulbright Scholar and Watson Fellow, with a Master’s in City Planning from MIT and a B.A. from Wesleyan University. Her research and fieldwork have taken her across Latin America, Spain, and the U.S., informing a global perspective on cities and commerce.
Larisa continues to shape national conversations through her writing, speaking engagements, and service on boards and advisory committees with the IDA, ICSC, ULI, and the New York Regional Plan Association. She has been recognized with awards from Crain’s New York Business, the American Planning Association, and the International Economic Development Council, among others.