Paris Sethi Masters was born in India and raised in Toronto, Canada. Paris obtained a Masters degree at Lesley University, Cambridge, MA in Interdisciplinary and Intercultural Relations and a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Applied Geography and Urban Planning from Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada. Before coming to the U.S., Paris was an Education and Urban Planner for over 12 years with Canada 's second largest school district in northwest Toronto. She has made recommendations on school planning issues related to existing and new school accommodation, with sensitivity to academic programs, working with developers, architects, community groups, and government planning, transportation and housing agencies. Since arriving in the U.S. five years ago, Paris completed her masters program, taught ESL at Harvard University and was employed at Vanderbilt University as an Immigration Advisor until joining the Nashville Civic Design Center team in July 2006.