Nikki Koenig Nielson has a diverse background with a unifying thread of understanding community needs in a broad context and identifying and developing solutions to meet those needs.

Ms. Nielson began writing grants as a teacher in the Ravenswood City School District in East Palo Alto, CA. A Teach for America alumni, Ms. Nielson saw a real need for both basic and supplemental resources in her school. She applied for and received over $25,000 in funding for her classroom projects and materials. Her work with the Boys and Girls Club of the Pennisula and Roche BioScience developed a program for "real-life" scientists in the community to work with students in a substantive, structured after-school program. Upon returning to the East Coast, she settled in the Hudson Valley.

Ms. Nielson continued with grants development and project management serving municipalities and regional organizations with Shingebiss Associates, taking over management of the company in late 2005. Her work included client relationship development, working with communities to identify, assess and prioritize needs.

In 2008, Ms. Nielson launched Arcady Solutions. The name comes from the farm property that she and her husband renewed as a small market farm specializing in heirloom garlic, tomatoes and exquisite strawberries. The physical growth and nurturing needed on the farm are in many ways parallel to the needs of her client communities. She is committed to developing and implementing comprehensive strategies to meet community needs, working to find and secure funding to meet those needs. Her skill set includes writing, research, needs assessments, project development, securing funding and project management. Ms. Nielson is focused on economic development, environmental sustainability through the protection of open space, and educational equity.

Ms. Nielson serves on the New Paltz GreenWorks committee, as a board member for the New Paltz Childcare Center and was treasurer of the New Paltz Open Space and Clean Water Preservation Bond Campaign. Ms. Nielson holds a B.S. from the University of Rochester, magna cum laude and a M.A. from Teacher's College, Columbia University in politics and education.