About us

Hummingbird was founded in 2016 as a consulting company specializing in community engagement, strategy/data analytics, and systems change training. Given our collective team expertise, we provide these services in the environmental, energy, planning, development, and transportation industries for private firms, NGOs, federal agencies, and local municipalities.

Why Hummingbird Firm? 
We are a results-driven company whose mission is only complete if we have made a visibly positive impact that our clients and the people we interact with can see, hear, feel, and experience. 
Beyond the Status Quo 
Our interdisciplinary team and intentional partnering allow us to provide creative and innovative approaches to traditional goals. We are always prepared to be formative during our processes, strengthening our client’s communication prowess with modern innovative approaches nestled within a culturally humble context.
Beyond the Expected
At Hummingbird, we tailor our strategies to the unique needs of our clients. We identify, assess, and push beyond what our clients expect, always looking for ways to anticipate and surpass the requested deliverables.

Our Team Members

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MaKara Rumley

Founder & CEO

MaKara Rumley, Esq., is more than an experienced community engagement strategist; she is an important thought leader related to the environment, education, the green economy, and public health.  She has a knack for identifying what makes each stakeholder successful and leading the charge for how everyone can win.  It takes the private and public sector as well as community viewpoints to reach a project’s full benefit potential.

Denise

Denise Smith, Ph.D.

Chief Operating Officer

DR. DENISE SMITH is a well-rounded

transportation professional who brings years of transportation experience to the team. She has developed an expertise in multimodal transportation planning and travel demand modeling. Dr. Smith is also very knowledgeable on a wide range of topics such as design, traffic operation and management, and autonomous vehicle technology. Her experience in academia, planning, and engineering, equip her with a unique perspective to contribute to projects.

Alex

Alex Trachtenberg

director of
operations

ALEX TRACHTENBERG is an experienced project management and operations professional with a background in environmental sustainability, policy advocacy, community engagement, communications, data analysis, research reporting, relationship management, and business development. His work experience spans a variety of sustainability and resiliency impact areas including clean energy, energy equity, environmental justice, climate mitigation and adaptation, community resiliency, water efficiency, green infrastructure, sustainable development, green affordable housing, and alternative transportation.

Lindsay Capacio

Executive
Assistant

LINDSAY CAPACIO earned her bachelor’s degree, majoring in business administration, and brings over 15 years of diverse professional experience in banking, insurance, and sales. Leveraging her multifaceted background, she excels in administrative functions, fosters adaptability, and is committed to making a meaningful impact in every processional endeavor.

Nosa

Oyemwenosa Avenbuan

Community Engagement
strategist

OYEMWENOSA AVENBUAN is a recent graduate of New York University with an MS in Environmental Health Science. She has years of experience in the field of toxicology and scientific communication, she is particularly adept at communicating with other experts and laypeople. She applies her knowledge of environmental health to create plain language translation during community engagement with marginalized and underserved communities in urban and rural areas.

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Marisa Carter

Community Engagement
Strategist

MARISA CARTER is a graduate of Spelman College and holds an MFA in Interior Design from Savannah College Art and Design. She brings years of experience in schematic development and strategic planning by way of her professional design background.  Marisa uses her background by helping with phase planning, visual presentation, and graphic design. Her aim is to assist in community engagement through developing presentations and creating informational material that will aid in the process of communication for all. 

Imani Love

community engagement
STRATEGIST

IMANI LOVE posesses a diverse background spanning non-profit, private, and government sectors, showcasing her adeptness in innovative analysis, consulting, product development, and project management. Her professional journey encompasses impactful work in transportation electrification, sustainable urban development, construction material assessment, and chemical analysis across industrial, occupational health, and environmental domains. In every position she’s held, Imani has remained committed to advancing equity, fostering inclusion, and advocating for environmental justice.

Camryn Burke

community engagement
associate

CAMRYN BURKE is a dynamic communications professional with a degree of Bachelor of Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology. With a strong background in community outreach, content creation, and climate action, she has significantly contributed to numerous fields. Camryn’s diverse experience and her commitment to supporting underserved communities have propelled impactful initiatives across various sectors.

Taylor Turntime

community engagement
associate

TAYLOR TURNTIME, a recent graduate from the University of California, Irvine, with a master’s degree in Public Policy and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Taylor’s goal is the enhance communities worldwide by improving transportation accessibility, mobility and resilience through understanding social behaviors. Passionate about education, Taylor aims to help underserved communities realize their full potential by highlighting their beauty, social capital, and resilience. Her goal is to use her academic experiences to contribute substantively to promoting sustainable development.