Next City isn’t just a news website, we are a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire social, economic and environmental change in cities. Part of how we do that is by connecting our readers to urban changemakers and holding an annual Vanguard conference bringing together 40 top young urban leaders.

Name: Patrick McDonnell
Current Occupation: Freelance Urbanist/Bike Mechanic
Hometown: Carrollton, TX
Current City: Carrollton, TX
Twitter Tag: @patrickm02L

I drink: Dr. Pepper
I am an: Extrovert
I get to work by: Bike/Train/Bus
The area I grew up is: Suburbs

What was your first job? Mowing lawns in the neighborhood. I started off mowing my folks yard for $5 – front and back. Then, I mowed lawns for three neighbors on the block for $20. I did that throughout Junior High before getting a job as a bag boy at the grocery store. Those were the days!

What is your favorite city and why? Reykjavik, it’s so weird and magical. I’ve only been there in the summer – when you have 20 hours of light – but I’m sure it’s just as magical in the winter. I love, LOVE, the people. They’re not of this world. The fact that they choose to live on a volcano island and of course their Viking history earn them a certain mystique that is horrendously beautiful. I’ll probably move there in the next decade!

What do you do when you are not working? Ha! I never work. I’m always playing! Life, work, play are all the same to me. Of late, most of my downtime is spent learning hot new uses for digital media. I’m also getting into coding and robotics.

Did you always want to be an urbanist? No, I didn’t even know there was such a thing until 2009. I wanted to be a High School English Teacher. My approach to urbanism is about showing people how to use the city, so I do a lot of teaching and modeling. The only difference is my medium. I’m better at photography and film than I am with text. Plus, I’d rather be out in the city than behind a desk.

What are the hard parts about your job? Freelance – Finding steady work and dealing with people who think freelancing means ‘free’ work. Bike Mechanic – Knowing everything there is to know about bikes – I’m getting there.

What is the biggest challenge facing cities today? Income inequality.

What makes a successful leader? They lead by example.

What’s your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)? I want to design space stations on Mars! I figure since the Mars One trip is happening in 2024, there’ll be a market for Martian living. I’d love to design some futurey, outter-space haven.

What’s the best professional advice you have received? In the absence of orders, make ‘em up.

Who do you most admire? My mom. Men and women in military and civil services. People that get shit done and don’t complain about it.

What do you look for when hiring someone? How they think.

What career advice would you give an emerging urban leader? Make social media your best friend.