Elis Shin

Elis Shin has been an Open House New Yorker since 2012. She first got involved as a volunteer and was drawn by our mission’s optimism—opening doors is one of the best ways to invite New Yorkers to understand why the city looks and feels the way it does and to empower them to reshape it. Elis rejoined the team in 2024 and is now Deputy Director and the lead producer of OHNY Weekend, the annual festival that offers more than 300 tours, activities, and special access at destinations across the city, from power plants and subway stations to artist studios and museums. A social impact strategist, she applies systems thinking and strategic design to deliver impactful programs, strengthen operations, and meet ambitious fundraising goals. Elis has a decade of experience in cultural programming, design research, and working with nonprofits and architecture practices in New York and around the world. In 2022, she co-curated an international festival about innovative housing with writer George Kafka. She holds an MS in Strategic Design and Management from Parsons School of Design, where she received Departmental Honors for her capstone on chronoworking, and a BA in Metropolitan Studies with High Honors from New York University. Elis also serves as an advisor at Open House Worldwide.