Maral Esmaeili
Maral Esmaeili is an interdisciplinary urban designer and planner currently serving as a Planner II with Alameda County in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a strong foundation in people-centered design, urban planning, and data-informed analysis, her work focuses on shaping inclusive, engaging public spaces that reflect the social, cultural, and behavioral needs of communities. She is particularly passionate about integrating technology and user-centered approaches into planning processes to enhance civic engagement and improve how cities are designed and experienced.
Before her current role, Maral built a diverse professional background across design and planning disciplines. She worked as a Technical Designer at Architecture Design Collaborative, contributing to residential and commercial projects through detailed construction documentation and visual communication. Earlier in her career, she served as an Urban Designer with RAH SHAHR in Iran, where she supported major planning initiatives, including urban street design guidelines and transportation studies. Alongside her full-time roles, she has maintained a freelance design practice since 2019, specializing in event planning, UX design, and residential and commercial design development.
Maral holds two master’s degrees: a Master of Science in Urban Design from the University of Tehran and a Master of Science in Design, Housing, and Merchandising from Oklahoma State University. Her interdisciplinary expertise is complemented by advanced technical skills in tools such as AutoCAD, ArcGIS, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and VR/AR visualization. Driven by curiosity, optimism, and a commitment to meaningful impact, Maral continues to contribute to resilient urban environments while also expressing her creativity through event planning and community-centered design initiatives.
• Real Estate License
• Course Certificate for Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts
• What is generative AI
• Creating Your Personal Brand
• Build Wireframes and Low-Fidelity Prototypes
• Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate
• Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design
• Environmental Quality Act certificate
• Oklahoma State University - MS
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my upbringing, values, and perseverance. Growing up in Iran, I was influenced by my parents’ work in creative and design fields and the country’s rich cultural history, which shaped my perspective and passion for creativity. My caring nature drives me to support others and build strong relationships through effective communication, while my experience immigrating to the United States strengthened my resilience and determination to build an independent life and career.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in both real estate and event planning is the high level of competition, especially in the Bay Area, where many talented professionals are offering similar services. Securing clients can be difficult, particularly when starting a business, but it also creates an opportunity to stand out through dedication, reliability, and strong client relationships. While I’ve been fortunate to stay busy, especially on weekends, my goal is to grow into larger-scale events and expand my presence in real estate. I believe success in this field comes from consistently reassuring clients, demonstrating a strong work ethic, and building trust by following through on every commitment—I take pride in showing people that when I say I will deliver, I truly will.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are caring for people, actively listening, and putting others’ needs first. I believe in working hard and building genuine relationships with clients by understanding their goals and priorities. Above all, I take pride in delivering on my promises and ensuring that the people I work with feel supported, valued, and confident in the results I provide.
Locations
Alameda County
Oakland, CA 94607