Joe Ahrenholtz is a Spatial Data Scientist and Developer with the Equity Metrics program at the Othering and Belonging Institute. He specializes in applying advanced spatial analysis, geostatistics, and modeling techniques to inform planning and policy decisions. To make data insights actionable, he develops accessible and engaging mapping applications and analytics dashboards for various users, including government agencies and community-based partners. His research interests lie at the intersection of land use, transportation, and economic mobility, with a focus on leveraging spatial econometrics to understand complex systems.
At the Othering and Belonging Institute, Joe has provided analytics support and developed data tools to help state housing agencies advance fair housing policies. He has worked closely with community partners to co-develop social equity metrics that inform the design and evaluation of programs for a regional housing finance agency. Additionally, he has created data tools in support of geographically targeted initiatives aimed at increasing civic power in historically marginalized communities.
Joe’s professional experience includes advising government agencies on improving data collection and analysis methods with an emphasis on equity. He has also developed and managed GIS resources for the Capital and Planning Division at the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, and contributed to data pipelines tracking housing development progress in the Bay Area at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Joe is originally from Petaluma, California, and received his M.S. in Geographic Information Science from San Francisco State University.
