catherine demesa
designing safer online spaces without silencing the people in them.
projects
here are some of my projects i have worked on surrounding moderation, trust and safety, and more!
cute kittenz
work in progress - come back later!
A Map of Us
A Map of Us is an interactive digital project created by Gabe Szeto that collects anonymous user reflections and places them on a shared, evolving map. Because the platform blends personal storytelling with public visibility, it requires thoughtful, privacy‑aligned moderation to keep the space safe and respectful.In my role, I review user submissions, enforce community guidelines, and ensure the platform maintains strong privacy protections. I support compliance with major data‑protection frameworks such as GDPR and CCPA, and I help identify and mitigate risks related to sensitive content, user anonymity, and data handling.SQL and deep learning tech are utilized on the backend to surface patterns in submissions, audit moderation decisions, and support internal reporting. This helps the team understand trends, refine policies, and maintain a consistent, transparent approach to safety.
about me
Social Media isn't going anywhere; it's often seen as a place where people are seen, used to vent and connect... The real challenge is consistently make it safe for people without stripping away the human aspects.That's the work I care about.I'm drawn to the messy aspects of Trust & Safety; the edge cases, the ambiguous decisions that aren't always clear-cut, and the new challenges I would face. I've worked at Blue Fever, MoxiesX, and now I spend time working at The Unsent Project and A Map of Us.Still learning and adapting as the industry evolves, but one thing is clear. I want to build spaces that are thoughtful, safer, and a little more human.
contact me
[email protected]
linkedin: /in/catdemesa1/
blue fever
Blue Fever is an iOS App that originally started in the SMS Messaging Space, sending content to people to motivate them. The company aims to, "...Aims to provide a "big sister" support network for teens facing loneliness, anxiety, and low confidence."I first joined the team in 2022 as a Technology and IT Intern, where I worked closely with the community and Trust & Safety teams to keep the space healthy and aligned with youth‑focused policies. I helped refine moderation workflows, responded to user concerns, and supported customer inquiries and data requests with care and accuracy.
After my internship, I was invited to join the Junior Board, where I spent nearly two years contributing to strategic decisions around community health, product direction, and safety practices. I collaborated on shaping moderation guidelines, improving internal documentation, and ensuring our processes reflected privacy expectations for a young audience. My work helped strengthen the app’s ability to offer a safe, supportive environment for teens who relied on it.
moxies
Moxies is a digital platform created for preteen girls, built around safety, clarity, and age‑appropriate design. I joined the team in Summer 2025 to support policy, compliance, and Trust & Safety operations during a period of rapid product growth. My work focused on strengthening the platform’s privacy foundation by updating and simplifying the Privacy Policy so parents and young users could understand exactly how their data was handled. I ensured these updates aligned with COPPA, CCPA, and GDPR requirements, helping the team maintain a high standard of child‑focused compliance.
Beyond policy work, I contributed to improving internal AI and moderation tools to better identify risks and support a smoother, safer user experience. This included reviewing how the platform handled sensitive interactions, refining safety workflows, and tightening internal documentation so the team could respond consistently and effectively. My contributions helped reinforce Moxies as a space where young users could explore, learn, and connect with confidence.
extern
I completed Research Externships in Fall 2024, where I partnered with teams at companies such as Expedia Group and Webacy to support risk analysis and technical research initiatives. My work with Webacy focused on identifying patterns and vulnerabilities within smart contract ecosystems using SQL, R, and unsupervised machine learning. I conducted cluster analysis to surface risk profiles, uncover anomalies, and translate complex findings into clear insights for stakeholders.With my Externship with Expedia, I conducted structured OSINT investigations, reviewed public‑facing social media activity, and analyzed user‑generated signals to help contextualize risk.These experiences strengthened my ability to approach Trust and Safety challenges with a technical lens. I learned how to evaluate large datasets, interpret emerging risk signals, and communicate research outcomes in a way that supported informed decision‑making. The externships I had gave me a strong foundation in analytical thinking and reinforced my ability to bridge technical research with real‑world safety considerations.
the unsent project
The Unsent Project is a long‑running art and storytelling initiative created by artist Rora Blue to archive anonymous, unfiltered messages people never sent. The platform has grown into a massive collection of emotionally vulnerable submissions, many of which include sensitive or high‑risk content. I joined the team as a Contract Content Moderator, where I was responsible for reviewing incoming submissions and ensuring they aligned with community guidelines, safety expectations, and legal requirements.
In this role, I evaluated nuanced and emotionally complex content, identified policy violations, and made consistent enforcement decisions to maintain a safe and respectful environment. I also contributed to updating internal guidelines and privacy‑aligned practices so the platform could better support users while complying with international standards. When needed, I assisted with refining workflows and documentation to reduce risk and improve clarity for both users and internal teams.