María Mónica Salazar Tamayo is a Research Scholar in the Urban Expansion program. Prior to moving to New York, she worked for the Marron Institute as an Urban Consultant for Latin America, supporting the implementation of the POT Modern Project in Colombia. She also served as an advisor for the General System of Royalties at the National Planning Department of Colombia, where she supported local governments in the implementation of local investment projects and intergovernmental transfer management. She has also worked on local development strategies, citizens' participation, accountability and governance, and public policies both from the national and local perspectives.

She has taught at Universidad Externado de Colombia and Universidad Sergio Arboleda classes in Public Policy Theory, Public Policy Design, and City Planning.

María Mónica holds a Masters of Urban Planning from NYU Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service and a Masters in Government and Public Policy from Universidad Externado de Colombia.