Seeing the World in Data

I’m a dynamic and resilient self-starter with a passion for finding the intersection of information, technology and design.

Professional Skills | Work History | Education

  • Versatile

    Equally skilled in artistic communication and statistical analysis

  • Adept

    I have a knack for uncovering the patterns in your data and distilling it into actionable knowledge for a broader audience

  • Creative

    My combined foundation in mathematics and photography gives me a unique analytical and visual perspective

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Data Analysis & Visualization

  • Recent recipient of the Master of Professional Services in Data Analysis and Visualization (Maryland Institute College of Art, Fall 2021 cohort)

  • Proven ability to truncate any learning curve with new technology and platforms

  • Keen eye for detail, and appreciation of diversity, both human and otherwise

  • Exceptional statistical and analytical skills

  • Passionate about cartography and spatial data visualization

Data Analysis & Visualization Works

Redlining Makes Us Sick An in-depth data-driven story that explores how the legacy of redlining contributes to poor health conditions today, this work illustrates the lasting effects of this practice through the lens of air quality.

Photography & Design

  • View portfolio at genafalzon.com

  • Sought-after photo artist with over 20 years of on-location portrait and editorial photography experience in Shanghai, China, and Cape Cod, MA

  • Mastery of photographic and lighting tools and technology

  • Corporate clients have included:

  • Created and delivered popular photography workshop, “Get Out of Auto Mode”, for many private groups in Shanghai, with hands-on, practical instruction and in-the-field leadership

  • Well-versed in visual storytelling with imagery

  • Equally comfortable working with individuals to create personal images and conducting mass headshot sessions in large corporate offices

  • Uniquely strong composition and layout skills; well-known for keen attention to detail

  • Fully fluent in Adobe Creative Suite

Software Development & Applications

  • Managed development of visual instructional aids, for in person and self-paced software corporate training; in doing so, contributed significantly to documentation team

  • Delivered self-developed and customized training programs to corporate clients worldwide

  • Assisted technical subject matter experts in developing presentation skills to facilitate company-wide knowledge sharing

  • Deep understanding of how to learn (and teach) software, as a technical instructor of numerous enterprise software applications

  • Highly proficient in top data visualization and graphics tools (currently working in Adobe Creative Suite, Flourish, Canva, Excel, ArcGIS, Figma, R, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and R) and always adding more to the toolbox

  • Solid understanding of web technology and data structures

Interpersonal Skills

  • 25 years of independent overseas living and working experience

  • Dedicated lifelong learner, with a penchant for learning by doing

  • Functionally conversant in Mandarin

  • Extensive ability to work across cultural environments and in diverse settings

  • Inspired by experiential differences and energized by collaboration with equally curious people

  • Equally adept at addressing an audience of hundreds and working independently on a project for weeks on end

  • Well-known for acute attention to detail, as well as thorough approach to project deliverables

WORK HISTORY

  • Information Designer

    Early Data

    2022 - present

    Shanghai, China

  • Volunteer, Data Visualization

    Viz for Social Good

    2023 - present

  • Independent Portrait, Editorial and Documentary Photographer

    Gena Falzon Photography

    2003-Present

    Shanghai, China and Boston, MA

    genafalzon.com

  • Computational Planning Consultant

    NBBJ Design, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Short-term contract: July 2022 - January 2023

  • Course Creator and Senior Technical Instructor

    edocs, Inc., Natick, MA, U.S.A.

    1999 - 2003

EDUCATION

  • M.P.D. Data Analytics & Visualization

    Maryland Institute College of Art

  • Intensive Mandarin Program

    Shanghai Jiaotong University

  • B.S. Mathematics (Statistics concentration)

    Framingham State University

 Download PDF of CV here