GSA's Daisy Velez: Architect by day, salsa dancer at night

Daisy Velez, Architect, PBS Region 2, New York, NY says, "GSA allows you to advance and move further in your career goals."
  • - When GSA architect Daisy Velez walks into one of the buildings she helped design, she’s confident that others who follow through the brass doors and across the marble floors will be safe and comfortable.

  • - During her workday, Daisy visits building sites in the New York City area. She is responsible for daily tenant project coordination and communication on design issues and assuring projects meet specifications and GSA’s rigorous standards.  She has worked on several buildings in the New York City metro area.

    Daisy gives salsa dancing lessons in her free time.

    Daisy gives salsa dancing lessons in her free time.
  • - Daisy began her GSA career in 2004 as an intern and was hired as a full time employee after graduating from The City University in New York in 2006. Her favorite project so far is the Broadway Pavilion in Manhattan because, as she puts it, “I feel a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. I notice every single detail.”  Daisy was involved in everything from landscaping design to interior and exterior design.

  • - But Daisy is more than an architect.  She is a professional model and salsa dancer.  During National Hispanic Heritage month in October 2007, she danced for about 50 colleagues in the lobby of the Region 2 office building and gave salsa lessons as part of the region’s celebration.  In addition to performances at GSA, Daisy dances at various venues around New York City and gives private lessons.

  • - In her free time, Daisy models for clothing and hair products advertisements as well as for Broadway shows.  A personal highlight was her appearance during a fundraiser to assist Hurricane Katrina survivors. Daisy’s modeling career began when she was in a Toys R Us advertisement at the age of 3.

    Do you know someone we should feature in Faces of GSA? If so, please email steven.hoffman@gsa.gov the following information: nominee; job title; office/service/region; office phone; cell phone; Email; and a short paragraph on why this person should be featured on, "The Faces of GSA."
Last Reviewed 10/2/2008