Meet Miranda
Since 2019, I have been a public servant. I have worked at Medford City Hall, the Mystic River Watershed Association, and WalkMassachusetts. I am now a Federal Programs and Regional Planning Coordinator at MassDOT.
At City Hall, I spearheaded Medford’s COVID-19 Business Relief Grant program, secured funding for Medford’s first Bluebikes stations, led the City’s development of its first Outdoor Dining Policy, and expanded accessible public transit infrastructure with the addition of bus shelters and benches.
My name is Miranda Briseño, and I am proud to call Medford home.
In my role at MassDOT, I have come to understand the processes involved in accessing transportation funding for large capital projects and managing essential programs, such as the Safe Routes to School program. I also work with municipalities and regional planning agencies, helping them utilize transportation funding to its full potential to further important transportation initiatives across the Commonwealth.
During my tenure at MassDOT, I have become actively involved in my union, the Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers and Scientists (MOSES), and I currently serve on its Board of Directors. I am motivated to continue the vital work of our union, moving it forward for the benefit of my colleagues and future generations.
At George Mason University, I studied government and sociology to understand how power works — and how to make it work for the people systematically left out and excluded from power. Throughout college, I worked a variety of jobs, the most impactful being my time with Mason LIFE, a 4-year post-secondary comprehensive transition program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After finishing college, I moved to Medford to pursue a master’s degree in Urban Planning at Tufts and found my home here. I have continued to work part-time caring for children and families with disabilities ever since.
I was raised by my mother, a special education teacher, and my father, a social worker, alongside my twin brother and younger sister, in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles. Caregiving and community have always been a cornerstone of my daily life, as many family members and friends played a crucial role in my upbringing.
My family’s life took a turn when a car accident left my father permanently disabled. My parents filed for bankruptcy to protect us from losing our home. Through the process, I saw firsthand how big financial interests dehumanize everyday people. As a result of my father’s accident, I also saw the importance of mental health support and how the healthcare system can both help those in need and simultaneously fail them in crucial moments.
I’ve been fortunate to create a home here in Medford, developing deep friendships with my neighbors across generations and diverse backgrounds.