MISSION.
PEOPLE FOR URBAN PROGRESS (PUP) is an Indianapolis-based 501c3 non-profit organization that promotes and advances public transit, environmental awareness, and urban design.
We stand for project-based urban progress. We're an idea incubator, design center, and do-tank.
DESIGN AS SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
We began with the idea that the SOLUTION to any urban problem must consider transit, environment, and design in unison. As such, we work with communities and designers to develop innovative and affordable strategies to enhance Indianapolis' urban quality of life.
In order to do this, we MAKE things. And these small things help fund the big things - the big IDEAS. Our DOME BAG PROJECT is a quintessential example of this way of thinking and working. After we salvaged the roof of the RCA/Hoosier Dome in 2008, we started working with local designers to make products from the fabric. The sale of these products helped us fund the installation of larger public shade structures and pavilions throughout our community... many of which will be installed the summer of 2011.
PEOPLE.
MICHAEL BRICKER (Chief Innovator/Co-Founder)
Michael has worked extensively in both the design and film industries, holding a Master in Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin.
In addition to his work with PUP, Michael works as a production designer, most recently for the feature film 'Blue Potato', SXSW-bound 'The Bounceback', and Sundance featured 'Computer Chess.
He has also taught art, architecture, and film both as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Art at Wabash College and as an Assistant Instructor at the University of Texas at Austin.
Additional work can be viewed here.
JESSICA BRICKER (Product Manager/Lead Designer)
Jessica, Michael's twin sister, started with PUP in late 2009, working intially as a product designer. Since then, she now oversees all of product development and retailer relationships, ensuring that PUP continues to deliver awesome, high-quality products.
Additionally, Jessica works independently as an interior designer. In this capacity, she has worked for Lohr Design and Rowland Design. She studied Interior Design at Ball State University.
Additional work can be viewed here.
ELIZABETH RONEY (Product Designer)
Liz has been working with PUP since early 2010, focusing mainly on Dome Wallet and Urban Hobo design and construction.
In 2009, with a passion to connect the consumer with the producer and increase the standard of living for those working in production factories, Elizabeth started Liz Alig - a clothing and dress line made from upcycled and recycled fabrics, and produced by several fair trade groups around the world.
Her amazing work can be viewed and purchased here.
AMY CROOK (Development Innovator)
Amy loves Indianapolis, Marketing and Conscious Eating.
She is a marketing professional proud to call downtown Indianapolis home. Her past work includes franchise development for food concept and business development for a brewery. She has a passion for working with organizations in economic development with an interest in attracting more young professionals to live, work and play in downtown Indianapolis.
Amy also serves on the Resource Committee for the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, the Advisory Committee for the Indy Winter Farmer's Market and the Young Alumni Council for Kelley School of Business. Learn more about her work here.
CHRISTINA FRIEDENSON (Product Designer)
Christina is an investment banking professional by day and a fabric artist by night, sewing Urban Hobo’s and Dome Wallets for PUP since spring 2011. Some of her designs include up-cycled airbags, repurposed fabrics from clothing and buttons from a random button collection.
In addition to sewing at PUP, Christina has created fine art wall hangings on commission, utilizing her 28+ years of hand craft and sewing experience to bring her inspirations in landscape to life. She is a freak for analog photography and can be seen buzzing around town with her husband, Doug, on their vintage Honda motorbikes.
RACHEL WHITE (Product Designer)
Rachel went to school, graduated, and doesn't use her degree. She is now learning the art of making things, grows delicious food, and has world class friends. These things suit her well and she is happy.
EMILY BEETS (Product Designer)
Emily has been sewing dome and super wallets and shower curtains for PUP since 2012. She has been hand sewing since she was young, everything from pillows to designing and altering her own clothes. She finally ‘graduated’ to machine sewing when one of her closest friends and fellow designer, Christina, gifted her, her old machine.
Emily also has her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Sculpture and besides sewing, can often be found doing home improvement projects, jewelry creation, and a plethora of other art projects in her home studio.
In her personal time, Emily is a beer and coffee snob and usually has her hands in anything art or fashion related.
RYAN GALLAGHER (PUPstop Coordinator)
Ryan was born and raised in Indianapolis and has been working with PUP since June 2011, focusing mainly on the Bush Stadium Seat Salvage and PUPstop Projects. He has an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and a graduate degree in Urban & Regional Planning. He currently works for the City of Indianapolis as a Project Development Analyst and has recently begun to play racquetball, which he enjoys a great deal.
JONATHAN ALLINSON (Carshare Innovator)
Jonathan has been working with PUP since January 2011, focusing mainly on carsharing and transportation innovation.
In addition to his work with PUP, Jonathan is the Program Manager for the Indiana Recycling Coalition, a state-wide nonprofit that works to advance waste reduction, reuse, composting and recycling through education, outreach and advocacy.
He is a graduate of Butler University where he studied media arts, history, and business.
ANTHONY LAVADERA (Project Innovator)
In addition to working as a filmmaker, Anthony holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin, giving him considerable virtuosity in the art of design and urban enhancement.
In the past, he has helped teach architectural drawing classes, summited some mountains, pilgrimaged to international architectural sites, cooked meals for a dozen people, participated in creating new Wikipedia entries, and donated his efforts for good causes. Originally from the New York/New Jersey area and working in Midtown Manhattan in the financial services industry for three years, Anthony has travelled thousands of miles in search of creative opportunities and collaboration. He stops from time to time in this pursuit.
Meagan is studying Spanish, Marketing, and International Studies at the School of Liberal Arts and the Kelley School of Business at IUPUI. She is currently helping with product marketing and social media organization at PUP.
Meagan has a passion for traveling and learning about different cultures, but at the end of the day her heart belongs to her hometown, Indianapolis.