Bio
Welcome, I’m Layla Bellissimo, a writer, researcher, and aspiring editor with a background in international policy and public management. I earned my MPA from NYU Wagner, specializing in international development, where I learned how to analyze complex global systems and translate data into stories that matter. I previously studied International Relations at Michigan State, where my curiosity about people, cultures, and narratives took root.
Over the past few years, my career has taken me through several industries. From retail leadership where I helped foster community and brand storytelling, to financial advisory work where I built trust through empathy and communication. Through each experience I discovered my greatest strength lies in connecting people through narrative, whether that’s helping clients plan their futures, guiding teams toward shared goals, or shaping stories that reflect who we are.
Creatively I’m passionate about exploring identity, heritage, and the quiet intersections between culture and belonging. My projects often weave world-building and realism, pulling inspiration from both my academic background and personal history as a third-generation American shaped by stories that bridge worlds. I’m currently developing original fiction and immersive settings that reflect those themes, spaces where character, history, and imagination coexist.
In New York, I’m a founding member of The PEN Writing Club at The Penn Club, where I collaborate with a diverse community of writers and creatives. This space reminds me that storytelling is both personal and communal.
I’m now channeling that energy toward a career in publishing, particularly in editorial work. My goal is to bring together my analytical training, creative vision, and global perspective to help authors refine their ideas and strengthen their voices. I believe the best stories challenge us to see ourselves and others more clearly.
When I’m not writing or editing, you can usually find me in a bookstore, at a museum, or exploring new corners of New York City.
writing portfolio
Literature Reviews
Contact Information
professional email: lab9802@nyu.edu
phone: +1 (248) 303-6057
instagram: @snapquickly
Highlighted Academic Collection
Enhancing Nature Based Solutions in Mombasa
This report was prepared for the World Bank Group (WBG), the County Government of Mombasa, and other relevant Kenyan stakeholders to support their efforts to address the restoration and reintegration of mangrove forests within Mombasa County, with a particular focus on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS).
National Strategy for Kenya’s Sustainable Development Goal Initiatives
The following memo was intended to provide the Kenyan State Department of Economic Planning’s Inter Agency Technical Committee (IATC) with a fully encompassing strategy to further the implementation of proper water sanitation infrastructure.
Bellissimo 