2025 PlanON Award WinnerS

WINNER

One Land, One Climate, One Future, Together is the foundation of the new County of Essex Official Plan. This plan is a land stewardship plan to protect the agricultural and natural heritage systems in Essex County while addressing significant growth.  The growth is focused on complete communities - a full range of housing and jobs, active transportation focused, transit-ready, at greater housing and employment densities to minimize the impact on the agricultural and natural heritage systems. This Official Plan is a hallmark of County collaboration with lower-tier municipalities and First Nations - integrating the community growth needs of all within a framework of communities. 
 

OPPI Team Members:

One Land, One Climate, One Future, Together - New County of Essex Official Plan:

• Mary Lou Tanner, RPP 
• Rebecca Belanger, MCIP, RPP
• Larry Silani, MCIP, RPP
• Heather Sewell, MCIP, RPP
• Lichheng Lim, MCIP, RPP
• Max Fedchyshak, MCIP, RPP

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Rob Fiedler
• Isabella Brioso

Mary Lou Tanner, RPP, is a Senior Partner with NPG Planning Solutions with more than 35 years of planning practice in Ontario. Mary Lou leads NPG’s planning practice, delivering both public and private sector projects. Mary Lou has a particular passion for policy-led planning –planning for growth, protecting agriculture, supporting farmers, integrating transportation and land use planning, and building great communities.

Rebecca Belanger, MCIP, RPP, is a highly accomplished and dedicated Manager of Planning Services at the County of Essex, bringing 30 years of extensive experience in the field of urban planning. Her career spans various facets of the public and private sectors, including significant roles within upper and lower-tier municipalities and a local conservation authority.

Larry Silani, MCIP, RPP, is a Partner with MillerSilani Inc. with more than thirty years of municipal planning experience in the Province of Ontario. With a Master of Urban and Regional Planning Degree from Queen's University, Larry has led the preparation and implementation of regional and local housing, land use, transportation, environmental and strategic plans that have created communities and neighbourhoods where residents of all ages and abilities can live more active and healthy lives.

Heather Sewell, MCIP, RPP, was Manager of Planning for NPG Planning Solutions. Heather has led a diverse range of projects from pre-project development to implementation. Heather has a particular passion for working with municipalities in helping to influence and shape policy and execution to help build equitable and sustainable communities that provide opportunities for all members to thrive.

Lichheng Lim, MCIP, RPP, leads multiple public and private projects with NPG Planning Solutions. Lichheng is highly skilled in urban design, policy, graphic communication, and project design. Lichheng has an innate ability to develop and implement public engagement that is focused on the needs of the client and the community – creating engagement tools that are accessible to broad audiences, Council members, and stakeholders.

Max Fedchyshak, MCIP, RPP, is an emerging planning leader with NPG Planning Solutions. Max leads both public and private projects – from concept to implementation. A key focus for Max is economic development and policy implementation for growing jobs in communities. Max is committed to building great projects and supporting clients in their success.

WINNING PROJECTS

• City of Vaughan - Greenspace Strategic Plan
• Committed to an Affordable Future: Guelph’s Housing Affordability Strategy and Innovative Community Planning Permit System
• Creating a Neighbourhood Active Transportation System: A Student Routes Strategy for Ward 9, City of Hamilton
• One Land, One Climate, One Future, Together - New County of Essex Official Plan
• Regent Park Phases 4 & 5 Vision
• Update Downsview: Downsview Secondary Plan

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City of Vaughan - Greenspace Strategic Plan:

The City of Vaughan’s greenspace system plays a vital role in enhancing residents’ quality of life. These spaces support climate resiliency and preserve key natural landscapes and habitats within the urban environment. The Greenspace Strategic Plan (GSP) builds on the City’s vision and existing plans to ensure equitable, diverse, and high-quality open space over the next 30 years. The GSP outlines strategies and recommendations to guide the planning, design, implementation, and enhancement of parks and greenspaces, reflecting the needs of a growing and changing population. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Ute Maya-Giambattista, MCIP, RPP
• Aimee Pugao, MCIP, RPP
• Michael Donolo, Candidate Member
• Michael Habib, MCIP, RPP
• Kiran Chhiba, MCIP, RPP

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Celene Mariano
• Shawn Small
• Nick Onody
• Stephanie Stanov

As a principal with O2, Ute Maya-Giambattista, MCIP, RPP, approaches her work with the understanding that design can be a vehicle for creating healthy communities while being aware of the complexities and the potential of overall urban systems to transform a place. Integral to all her work is her commitment to integrating social, economic, and environmentally sustainable practices from the early stages of the process. Currently, Ute serves as the President of the Council for Canadian Urbanism, a thinktank focused on urbanism matters across the country, a member of the City of Vaughan Design Review Panel, and the President of the Toronto Design Industry Advisory Committee.

Aimee Pugao, MCIP, RPP, is currently the Manager of Parks and Open Space Planning, at the City of Vaughan where she oversees parks development approvals and guides parks initiatives. Aimee has been a member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) since 2015. With 16 years in the public sector, her experience includes park and open space master planning and development across diverse urban contexts.

Michael Donolo, Candidate Member, is a Consultant at Hemson Consulting. Michael worked on the financial analysis of parkland acquisition for the City of Vaughan's Greenspace Strategic Plan. Michael has worked as a municipal finance and planning consultant at Hemson for three years and received his Master's in Urban and Regional Planning from Queen's University in 2022.

Michael Habib, MCIP, RPP, is a senior urban planning and architecture professional with 25+ years of experience in Canada and the UAE. As Senior Manager at the City of Vaughan, he leads park planning and delivery, shaping strategy, policy, and infrastructure. He’s played a key role in Vaughan’s parkland strategy, capital planning, and public engagement. His team secures parks in growth areas and delivers master plans and capital projects. Previously, he held senior roles in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, managing landmark developments and urban realm strategies. Michael holds degrees in planning and architecture and is a Registered Professional Planner and member of the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Kiran Chhiba, MCIP, RPP, is an accomplished Urban Designer and Planner with over 20 years of experience bridging urban design, landscape architecture, and planning across both public and private sectors. He has served on distinguished panels, including the City of Hamilton’s Design Review Panel, Metrolinx’s Design Review Panel, and was nominated to the Jury for the City of Brampton’s Urban Design Awards in 2023. Driven by a passion for thoughtful, resilient, and inclusive urbanism, Kiran continues to champion projects that enrich communities and adapt to the evolving needs of cities.

 

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Committed to an Affordable Future: Guelph’s Housing Affordability Strategy and Innovative Community Planning Permit System:

In response to a critical housing affordability crisis, the City of Guelph developed its Housing Affordability Strategy (HAS), a comprehensive plan comprising 30 targeted actions aimed at increasing the affordable housing supply, reducing barriers, and fostering partnerships. Integral to the HAS is the Community Planning Permit System (CPPS), an innovative planning tool that streamlines approvals by consolidating zoning bylaw amendments, site plan approvals, and minor variances into a single permit process. Together, the HAS and CPPS is the cohesive, data-driven framework that will guide the City in addressing its immediate housing needs while growing in a sustainable way. This exemplifies innovative, equity-focused planning that advances the public interest and sets a replicable model for other municipalities in Ontario. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Justine Giancola, MCIP, RPP 
• Cushla Matthews, MCIP, RPP
• Lucas Mollame, MCIP, RPP
• Dawson McKenzie, Candidate Member
• Jason Downham, Candidate Member
• Krista Walkey, MCIP, RPP
• Nicole Surlin, RPP
• Anni-Claudine Buelles, MCIP, RPP
• Kadence Bunke, MCIP, RPP
• Amy Greenberg, Candidate Member
• Harane Jegatheswaran, Candidate Member
• Ashley North, RPP
• Robert Wilson, Candidate Member
• Kelly Martel, MCIP, RPP
• Alison Luoma, MCIP, RPP
• David Riley, MCIP, RPP
• Erik Karvinen, MCIP, RPP
• Gisele Sarbandi, MCIP, RPP
• Justin Rain, MCIP, RPP

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Kelly Guthrie
• Zachary Bush
• Alice Bessol
• Tim Welch
• Susan Richie Raymond
• Vlad Petrov

Justine Giancola, MCIP, RPP, is a Partner and Planner at Dillon Consulting, specializing in municipal planning policy and has guided her municipal clients through many of their toughest land use planning decisions. She has a strong understanding of the evolving policy framework, municipal implementation tools and regulatory environment in Ontario, having led numerous municipal land use planning assignments that included defining new official plan policies and land use regulatory frameworks. She is an industry leader in Community Planning Permit Systems, guiding a broad range of municipalities in implementing a streamlined development approval process, including leading the Guelph CPPS.

Cushla Matthews, MCIP, RPP, is Manager of the newly formed Community and Affordable Housing team at the City of Guelph. Cushla worked previously at the Region of Waterloo in the Planning department as part of the team that created the Regional Growth Management Strategy and the Regional Official Plan. She also holds a master’s degree from the University of Guelph and a PhD from the University of Waterloo, both in Geography.

Lucas Mollame, MCIP, RPP, is a project manager in policy planning with the City of Guelph. Lucas has a keen interest in policy creation and analysis. He holds a master's degree from the School of Planning at the University of Waterloo.

Dawson McKenzie, Candidate Member, is a planner with the Community and Affordable Housing team at the City of Guelph. Dawson’s work focuses on innovative policy solutions tailored to affordable housing. During his time at the City, he has been involved in work such as the Community Planning Permit System for Stone Road, and permitting 4 Units across the City. He holds a master’s degree in Rural Planning and Development from the University of Guelph.

Jason Downham, Candidate Member, focuses on long-range planning initiatives, growth management, and delivering housing solutions, leveraging data analytics to support strategic decision-making. His work integrates evidence-based frameworks with visionary planning that promotes balanced and sustainable growth, environmental stewardship, and community well-being.

Krista Walkey, MCIP, RPP, is the General Manager of Planning and Building Services at the City of Guelph. Her portfolio includes building services, policy planning, development planning and site development. Krista has over 20 years in both the public and private sector and takes a strategic approach to master planning, policy development and planning approvals with a focus on streamlining processes. She provides expertise and leadership on policies, plans and strategies that support building complete communities and promoting a sustainable, healthy and economically vibrant City.

Nicole Surlin, RPP, is an engagement specialist and planner at Dillon Consulting. She has experience in community and stakeholder engagement, communications, graphic design, land use planning, urban development, and policy research. Bringing an interdisciplinary perspective to her work, Nicole develops and implements comprehensive and inclusive community engagement plans. She uses her knowledge of planning to help clients communicate their projects to diverse audiences, educating community members about the planning process and encouraging them to participate in the projects that impact their community.

Anni-Claudine Buelles, MCIP, RPP, is a planner at Dillon Consulting with a Master of Environmental Studies in Planning with experience in public and private sector planning. Her main focus has been on northern and Indigenous planning with involvement in land use planning and community and stakeholder engagement.

Kadence Bunke, MCIP, RPP, is a planner at Dillon Consulting with a Master of Environmental Studies in Planning with experience in public and private sector planning. Her main focus has been on northern and Indigenous planning with involvement in land use planning and community and stakeholder engagement.

Amy Greenberg, Candidate Member, is a planner at Dillon Consulting with a Bachelor of Community Design and a Master of Urban Design. Over five years, she's gained experience working with Ontario municipalities. She is proficient in land use and policy planning, engagement, urban design guidance, and graphic representation. Amy has extensive experience in housing projects across the province, especially those with affordable and attainable housing components. She has researched housing patterns for these projects and helped prepare housing needs assessments and strategies with policy and implementation recommendations.

Harane Jegatheswaran, Candidate Member, is a Planner at Dillon Consulting with experience in delivering community engagement plans, reviewing development plans, and supporting policy review in Southern Ontario. She recently graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Urban Design and a Diploma of Excellence in Geographic Information Systems. Her project responsibilities include GIS modelling and analysis, report writing, planning community engagement activities, and reviewing and commenting on development applications.

With a Master of Planning and a background in Geography and GIS, Ashley North, RPP, has over 10 years of professional experience and is a Registered Professional Planner at Dillon Consulting. She has experience in a range of planning fields, including land use policy planning, secondary planning, zoning by-law review, public consultation for land use planning, and employment area infrastructure master plans.

Robert Wilson, Candidate Member, is a Planner at Dillon Consulting with experience in climate change adaptation, policy development, and land use planning. His project responsibilities include development application review, climate change risk and vulnerability assessments, adaptation best practice application, community and stakeholder engagement, and capacity building with municipal partners.

Kelly Martel, MCIP, RPP, is an experienced urban planner and project manager with over a decade of expertise in housing policy and land use planning across Ontario. As the original consultant project manager for the City of Guelph’s Housing Affordability Strategy, Kelly led a multidisciplinary team through a comprehensive and collaborative process to develop innovative, actionable solutions to address housing needs. Her leadership, strategic insight, and commitment to inclusive engagement were instrumental in shaping the award-winning strategy.

Alison Luoma, MCIP, RPP, has three decades of professional planning experience and has built a reputation for crafting innovative solutions to contemporary community issues. She is recognized for her expertise in zoning, special studies and policy formulation in municipalities throughout Ontario and across Canada. Recently, she contributed to the Community Planning Permit By-laws for Strategic Growth Areas in the City of Guelph and City of Waterloo, as well as assessing the potential for the Community Planning Permit System to advance the objectives of Integrated Watershed Management in Muskoka.

David Riley, MCIP, RPP, is a Principal at SGL Planning & Design. His practice spans both public and private sectors, focusing on land use studies and planning reviews. He specializes in Official Plan and Zoning By-law reviews, Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) studies, and policy work across Southern Ontario. David also provides expert testimony at the Ontario Land Tribunal and Toronto Local Appeal Body, and attends Committee of Adjustment hearings. His extensive project management experience includes handling various small to large-scale developments for private sector clients.

Erik Karvinen, MCIP, RPP, is a Manager with Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. Erik is a Registered Professional Planner and Land Economist with expertise in demographic and economic forecasting, housing studies, real estate market analysis, and strategic policy development. Erik has significant experience in growth and development matters and a strong interest in placemaking and the creation of complete and sustainable communities. Over the past decade, he has successfully managed a range of high-profile planning, economic, and finance studies for municipal clients across Canada. These studies have explored issues related to long-term growth and urban land needs, economic development, housing needs, and strategic policy recommendations.

Gisele Sarbandi, MCIP, RPP, is a Consultant with Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. and a Registered Professional Planner with a background in urban studies, geography, and urban planning. She has experience in housing needs assessments, growth forecasting, land needs analysis, employment land studies, feasibility assessments, and market competitiveness studies. Gisele has worked on a variety of planning and economic studies for municipalities across Ontario, addressing issues such as housing affordability, market demand, and long-term growth. She brings an analytical and research-driven approach to support well-informed planning and policy outcomes.

 

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Creating a Neighbourhood Active Transportation System: A Student Routes Strategy for Ward 9, City of Hamilton:

A Student Routes Strategy for Ward 9 in the City of Hamilton designs a neighbourhood-wide active transportation system for kids with the goal of 100% of students walking/wheeling to/from school daily. The Strategy sees kids as ‘transportation users’ within their own system and creates a network of routes to help facilitate safe and effective active school travel, promoting healthy communities and lifestyles. The project positions the issue of active school travel more centrally in the dialogue of broader neighbourhood planning rather than focusing on particular schools. Further, the Strategy grounds the debate around urban design and complete streets in measurable, daily travel experiences to ensure outcomes will contribute to improvement along routes across neighbourhoods, not just at key locations. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Paul Shaker, MCIP, RPP 

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Daniel Chong
• Mark Chamberlain

Paul Shaker, MCIP, RPP, is a Principal and co-founder of Civicplan. He has over 15 years of experience in the realm of progressive placemaking. His work blends strategic thinking, planning policy, research, and public engagement into concrete plans that help citizens shape their communities. Paul’s project experience includes the design and management of award-winning participatory planning campaigns, district development plans, economic development policy and planning, neighbourhood renewal strategies, and alternative transportation planning.

 

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One Land, One Climate, One Future, Together - New County of Essex Official Plan:

One Land, One Climate, One Future, Together is the foundation of the new County of Essex Official Plan. This plan is a land stewardship plan to protect the agricultural and natural heritage systems in Essex County while addressing significant growth.  The growth is focused on complete communities - a full range of housing and jobs, active transportation focused, transit-ready, at greater housing and employment densities to minimize the impact on the agricultural and natural heritage systems. This Official Plan is a hallmark of County collaboration with lower-tier municipalities and First Nations - integrating the community growth needs of all within a framework of communities. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Mary Lou Tanner, RPP 
• Rebecca Belanger, MCIP, RPP
• Larry Silani, MCIP, RPP
• Heather Sewell, MCIP, RPP
• Lichheng Lim, MCIP, RPP
• Max Fedchyshak, MCIP, RPP

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Rob Fiedler
• Isabella Brioso

Mary Lou Tanner, RPP, is a Senior Partner with NPG Planning Solutions with more than 35 years of planning practice in Ontario. Mary Lou leads NPG’s planning practice, delivering both public and private sector projects. Mary Lou has a particular passion for policy-led planning –planning for growth, protecting agriculture, supporting farmers, integrating transportation and land use planning, and building great communities.

Rebecca Belanger, MCIP, RPP, is a highly accomplished and dedicated Manager of Planning Services at the County of Essex, bringing 30 years of extensive experience in the field of urban planning. Her career spans various facets of the public and private sectors, including significant roles within upper and lower-tier municipalities and a local conservation authority.

Larry Silani, MCIP, RPP, is a Partner with MillerSilani Inc. with more than thirty years of municipal planning experience in the Province of Ontario. With a Master of Urban and Regional Planning Degree from Queen's University, Larry has led the preparation and implementation of regional and local housing, land use, transportation, environmental and strategic plans that have created communities and neighbourhoods where residents of all ages and abilities can live more active and healthy lives.

Heather Sewell, MCIP, RPP, was Manager of Planning for NPG Planning Solutions. Heather has led a diverse range of projects from pre-project development to implementation. Heather has a particular passion for working with municipalities in helping to influence and shape policy and execution to help build equitable and sustainable communities that provide opportunities for all members to thrive.

Lichheng Lim, MCIP, RPP, leads multiple public and private projects with NPG Planning Solutions. Lichheng is highly skilled in urban design, policy, graphic communication, and project design. Lichheng has an innate ability to develop and implement public engagement that is focused on the needs of the client and the community – creating engagement tools that are accessible to broad audiences, Council members, and stakeholders.

Max Fedchyshak, MCIP, RPP, is an emerging planning leader with NPG Planning Solutions. Max leads both public and private projects – from concept to implementation. A key focus for Max is economic development and policy implementation for growing jobs in communities. Max is committed to building great projects and supporting clients in their success.

 

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Regent Park Phases 4 & 5 Vision:

Comprising the final two phases of the Regent Park Revitalization, the creation of a new vision for Phases 4 & 5 was initiated through a development partnership between Toronto Community Housing Corporation and Deltera Inc. and led by an international, interdisciplinary team led locally by the planners, urban designers and community engagement specialists at Bousfields Inc. Located at the north end of the evolving Regent Park neighbourhood, Phases 4 & 5 represented the final opportunity to maximize the use of this public land for the purposes of providing much needed market and affordable housing, as well as significant community benefits. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Allison Chewter, Candidate Member 
• Emma West, MCIP, RPP
• Anna Wynveen, MCIP, RPP
• Jocelyn Deeks, MCIP, RPP
• Simone Hodgson, Pre-Candidate Member
• Tom Kasprzak, MCIP, RPP
• Cameron De Ruyter, MCIP, RPP
• Taylor Gascoigne, MCIP, RPP
• Graeme Stewart, MCIP, RPP

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Peter Zimmerman
• Holly Carrie-Mattimoe
• Robert Boyd
• Munira Al-Amudy
• Bryan Sherwood
• Michael Mestyan
• Caroline Kim
• Michael Lewis
• Gabriela Solbach
• Paul Karakusevic
• Rebecca Miller
• Jennifer Nagai
• Vinh Van
• Zahra Ebrahim
• Kofi Hope
• Mikael Sydor
• Ya’el Santopinto
• Helmut Meyer
• Joshua Vanwyck
• Lizete Cassule
• Yun-Lan Hu
• Murshida Samsun Mueen

Allison Chewter, Candidate Member, is a Senior Associate at Bousfields Inc. Allison’s strategic approach to planning, attention to detail, and organizational skills support the advancement of land use planning and municipal approvals for development projects throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies in Planning from the University of Waterloo, Allison is a Candidate Member of OPPI and is actively pursuing full membership. Allison leads the preparation of planning rationale reports and other supporting materials for development applications, and her advanced project management skills contribute to the successful coordination of multi-disciplinary teams for projects of all shapes and sizes

Emma West, MCIP, RPP, Partner at Bousfields Inc., is a leading planning & urban design consulting firm based in Toronto & Hamilton. With 25+ years of experience in urban & environmental planning for public & private sector, she has led a wide range of city-building projects across downtown, suburban & rural locations at various scales, including regional plans to site-specific entitlements. In addition to residential & mixed-use communities, she specializes in approvals for institutions & large-scale master plans with significant amounts of affordable housing. As a committed & enthusiastic urbanist, she is a Registered Professional Planner & Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners & has held several North American-wide leadership roles in the Urban Land Institute.

Anna Wynveen, MCIP, RPP, is a Senior Associate at Bousfields Inc., with extensive experience navigating the municipal planning approvals process. She holds a Master of Science in Planning from the University of Toronto and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Western Ontario. A Registered Professional Planner in Ontario and a full member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, Anna has played a key role in a broad range of planning projects across Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Her work includes the preparation of planning rationale reports and other supporting materials for development applications, reflecting her strong understanding of local policy frameworks and development objectives.

Jocelyn Deeks, MCIP, RPP, is a Partner at Bousfields and leads the Community Engagement practice. She is a Registered Professional Planner and brings years of experience working at the intersection of planning, development, and community engagement in the public and private sectors. She has developed & executed stakeholder engagement strategies for some of the GTA’s most complex and challenging development projects. She also has experience developing strategic plans for Ontario municipalities. Jocelyn holds a Master's degree in Planning from Queen’s University.  She is a member of the Ontario Professional Planning Institute and the Canadian Institute of Planners. She frequently presents at conferences, participates in expert panels, and shares her ideas on podcasts.

Simone Hodgson, Pre-Candidate Member, is an Associate at Bousfields and a key member of our Community Engagement Practice. Simone develops, manages, and implements community engagement strategies for private and public sector clients with projects across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Simone is experienced in spearheading and facilitating engagement and communication approaches at a range of scales and using a variety of methods. Some of the key projects that Simone has worked on include the Regent Park Phases 4 & 5 Revitalization; Engagement, Consultation & Communications Strategy for Durham Regional Local Housing Corporation Sites; and the East Harbour Mixed Use Master Plan.

Tom Kasprzak, MCIP, RPP, is an Urban Design Partner with a wealth of experience on a wide range of projects throughout the GTA. During his career, he has been focused on urban intensification that promotes excellence in design. Tom’s creative approach and analytical skills have led to a number of successful, award-winning projects & established a proven track record for delivering built developments. He has also led multi-disciplinary teams on complex files, including community & neighbourhood plans. Tom is an Associate member of the Ontario Association of Architects and a LEED Accredited professional.

Cameron De Ruyter, MCIP, RPP, is a Senior Community Designer at Bousfields Inc., bringing a strong background in both planning & community design. He holds an Undergraduate Degree in Urban & Regional Planning from Ryerson University and is a Registered Professional Planner with full membership with the OPPI and CIP. He is involved in a combination of both planning & design roles, including zoning, policy, and design guideline research, and the preparation of subdivision plans, conceptual site layouts, mapping for official plan and zoning by-law amendments, 3D massing models, and various forms of graphics for a wide range of planning documents. Some of the key projects that he has worked on include the Regent Park Phases 4 & 5 Revitalization, & Block 27 in Vaughan.

Taylor Gascoigne, MCIP, RPP, is a Development Manager at Tridel, working on the Phase 4 and 5 Regent Park Revitalization project alongside her colleagues, Bryan Sherwood, Director of Development Planning, and Michael Mestyan, Vice President of Development Planning.

Graeme Stewart, MCIP, RPP, is Principal of Toronto-based ERA Architects, and a founding director of the Tower Renewal Partnership, a cross-sectoral collaborative supporting the decarbonization of Canada’s existing affordable housing stock through research, policy and action. Through these efforts, Graeme and his team have helped to kickstart deep retrofit in housing across Canada. Graeme is a member of the Toronto Community Housing Design Review Panel and a regular lecturer in Universities in Ontario and abroad. He is also the co-editor of Concrete Toronto: A Guidebook to Concrete Architecture from the Fifties to the Seventies, and a recipient of the Jane Jacobs Prize for his ongoing work related to Tower Renewal.

 

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Update Downsview: Downsview Secondary Plan:

Toronto’s Downsview Secondary Plan and related documents will transform 540 hectares of former airfield and adjacent lands into 15 vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive communities. The plan will guide development over the next 30 years, accommodating approximately 115,000 new residents and 52,000 workers and creating a new urban core.  The Plan is guided by two goals: climate resilience and environmental sustainability, as well as achieving equitable outcomes for Indigenous, Black, and equity-deserving groups. These goals are embedded in both process and policy outcomes. With its scale, ambition, and community-driven foundation, the Plan represents one of Ontario’s most significant city-building initiatives - designed to set a new standard for inclusive and sustainable urban development. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Emily Reisman, MCIP, RPP 
• Sarah Phipps, Candidate Member
• Jessica Krushnisky, MCIP, RPP
• Erika Ivanic, MCIP, RPP
• Alicia Rinaldi, MCIP, RPP
• Kristy Shortall, MCIP, RPP
• Jacob Larsen, MCIP, RPP
• Giuseppe Tolfo, Candidate Member
• Perry Korouyenis, MCIP, RPP
• Sophie Knowles, MCIP, RPP
• Natasha Petzold, MCIP, RPP
• Marina Sheehan, Pre-Candidate Member

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• PC Wasserman
• Tyler Lasko
• David Anselmi
• Martin Ennis
• Trajce Nikolov
• Jesse Zuker
• Michael Sorensen
• Rasmus Astrup
• Kevin Bridgman
• Amy Jiang
• Josh Battiston

Emily Reisman, MCIP, RPP, is a planner and Partner at Urban Strategies Inc. who thrives on solving complex challenges in growing and evolving communities. She leads master planning, approvals, and policy initiatives for public and private sectors, delivering creative, context-sensitive solutions. Whether reimagining a campus, hospital, mall, or airport, Emily brings a pragmatic, inclusive approach that balances diverse interests and unlocks potential. She has led the 520-acre Downsview Lands transformation for the landowners since 2018 and is also known for forward-thinking policy, including Toronto’s Growing Up guidelines. Her work reflects a deep ability to navigate public, private, and community priorities across multiple sectors.

Sarah Phipps, Candidate Member, is the Project Director for the Update Downsview study in the City of Toronto’s City Planning Division. Sarah leads an interdivisional team, creating an environment of collaboration to break down barriers and support innovation. She has demonstrated the importance of building effective partnerships both within and beyond the City. With over 20 years of experience with the City, Sarah’s expertise spans the review of development applications through to major large-scale planning policy studies, including leading Secondary Plans in complex, high-growth areas of Toronto. Sarah has a Master of Science in Planning and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Geography and Socio-Cultural Anthropology, both from the University of Toronto.

Jessica Krushnisky, MCIP, RPP, is a Senior Planner with the City of Toronto, in the Strategic Initiatives unit of City Planning. Part of the core Update Downsview team, Jessica led the drafting of the Downsview Secondary Plan as well as supporting numerous other parts of the study. Jessica has over 9 years of planning experience spanning the public and private sectors, where she has specialized in planning studies and policy analysis within multi-disciplinary teams. She previously worked for the Town of Midland and, more recently, The Planning Partnership. Jessica is a graduate of the Master of Science in Planning program at the University of Toronto and has a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Planning from the University of Waterloo.

Erika Ivanic, MCIP, RPP, is a Senior Planner at the City of Toronto, in the Strategic Initiatives unit of City Planning. As a core member of the Update Downsview team, Erika led the Zoning By-law for Meanwhile Uses, served as planning lead for the legal framework development and contributed to other key study components. Erika has over 14 years of experience in planning policy and implementation in municipal and provincial governments. She previously spent a decade at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, implementing provincial policies with Greater Golden Horseshoe municipalities. Erika also worked in development planning at the City of Vaughan and serves as a Director on OPPI Council. Erika holds a Master of Planning from Dalhousie University.

Alicia Rinaldi, MCIP, RPP, is a Planner at the City of Toronto, in the Strategic Initiatives unit of City Planning. As a member of the core Update Downsview team, Alicia led public engagement efforts, co-led the Community Development Plan, and supported other project deliverables, including the Urban Design Guidelines and decentralized stormwater management strategy. She previously worked at Glen Schnarr and Associates Inc. and Infrastructure Ontario. Alicia holds a Master's in Environmental Studies (Planning) from York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies, Human Geography, and Women & Gender Studies from the University of Toronto.

Kristy Shortall, MCIP, RPP, is the Executive Vice-President of Development at Northcrest, a subsidiary of PSP Investments, with over 20 years of experience in securing approvals for development projects. Her experience includes managing and coordinating the professional teams; coordination, negotiation and communication with approval authorities; organizing public consultation sessions; assisting with development agreements and aligning development objectives with regulations and guidelines. Currently working on the redevelopment of Downsview Airport, a 370-acre transformational mixed-use project in the heart of Toronto. Kristy is the Vice-Chair of Mission Advancement for the ULI Toronto, a WLI Champion and a full member of CIP and Ontario OPPI

Jacob Larsen, MCIP, RPP, is a Registered Professional Planner with 15 years of experience shaping equitable, resilient communities for future generations. He brings insights from his background in active transport, municipal planning, and developing affordable housing to the work of leading master planning at Downsview. Jacob is currently a Senior Development Manager with Canada Lands Company. Canada Lands is an arms-length Crown Corporation and award-winning developer of new communities on surplus Federal lands across Canada.

Giuseppe Tolfo, Candidate Member, joined the Downsview team in his first week at Urban Strategies – living and breathing the work ever since. His growth as a planner and practitioner is a reflection of what is possible through close collaboration with a passionate team. His commitment to conscientious city-building and to shaping more compassionate, livable, and healthy communities is reflected in the secondary plan: it means the world to have that commitment and promise recognized. On his best days, pé can be found wandering the street with his eyes and ears wide open.

Perry Korouyenis, MCIP, RPP, is a Senior Planner with the City of Toronto’s Development Review Division (North York district). Perry is part of the core development review team for Update Downsview, acting as a key link between policy development and implementation to ensure the overall vision for the Downsview area is realized. Perry joined the City in 2005, where he has worked on a wide variety of complex development applications and planning studies, and previously worked for the City of Pickering. Perry holds a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Sophie Knowles, Candidate Member, is a Senior Planner in the City of Toronto’s Development Review Division (North York district). Sophie is a member of the core development review team for Update Downsview, ensuring strong coordination between overall policy intent and its implementation through development review. Sophie has been with City Planning since 2018 and previously worked for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and for City Building TMU. She holds a Master of Planning in Urban Development from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music from York University.

Natasha Petzold, MCIP, RPP, is a Project Officer with the Parks and Recreation, Parks Planning section at the City of Toronto. Natasha works on parks and facility planning policy development and implementation as part of the core Update Downsview team. Natasha champions the inclusion of new parks and recreational facilities as essential components of a complete community, ensuring parkland in Downsview will meet recreational needs, while supporting sustainability and resiliency over the long term. Natasha graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master of Science in Planning and has since gained experience working in both the private and public sectors, including most recently R.E. Millward + Associates and the Town of Caledon.

Marina Sheehan, Pre-Candidate Member, is a Director of Development at Northcrest Developments, and was part of the project team that led the Update Downsview Secondary Plan process - one of North America's largest Master Planning projects. Marina now leads the Master Planning of the second of Northcrest’s Districts at Downsview. Prior to joining Northcrest, Marina worked as a Development Manager and Planner for various organizations and Municipal and Federal agencies in Canada and Ireland. Marina holds a Master's in Regional and Urban Planning from University College Dublin, and is working to obtain her Canadian Professional Planners designation.

WINNING PROJECTS

• City of Mississauga - Affordable Rental Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Implementation
• City of Ottawa - Pinecrest and Queensview Stations Secondary Plan
• Dufferin County - Master Housing Strategy (2024)
• EHON Major Streets Study (Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments)
• Markham Natural Heritage Management Study & Natural Asset Study
• Mississauga Official Plan 2051
• Region of Durham - The Ritson School Project: A Model for Housing Delivery on Public Land

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City of Mississauga - Affordable Rental Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Implementation:

Since 2005, only 2,200 rental units have been built in Mississauga.  The City of Mississauga’s $44 million Affordable Rental Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a bold step to expand the supply of affordable and below-market rental housing. It will support over 1,400 new rental units, with construction starting by 2027, including 384 units conditionally approved to receive incentives under the CIP’s multi-residential stream. Realizing more purpose-built rental housing is a key action under the City’s housing plan and the Mayor’s Housing Task Force. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Nadia Dowhaniuk, MCIP, RPP 
• Caleigh McInnes, MCIP, RPP
• Brandon Williams, MCIP, RPP
• Melissa Slupik, MCIP, RPP
• Stephanie Segreti, MCIP, RPP
• Sangita Manandhar, MCIP, RPP
• Jim Greenfield, MCIP, RPP

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Janet Lee
• Brian Bonner
• Anthony Andreana
• Katie Pfaff
• Baiqing Luo

Nadia Dowhaniuk, MCIP, RPP, is a dedicated urban planner with a strong foundation in sustainable community development, policy analysis, and public engagement. Currently serving as a Planner in Mississauga, Nadia brings a multidisciplinary approach to land use planning, honed through diverse roles in both the public and private sectors. Known for her analytical rigour and collaborative spirit, Nadia continues to explore innovative ways to bridge policy with lived experience.

Stephanie Segreti, MCIP, RPP, is the Supervisor of Development Services with the City of Mississauga's Building Division. Over the past 16 years with the City, Stephanie's planning experience includes development planning, Committee of Adjustment, policy planning, and growth charges. Stephanie holds a bachelor's degree with Honours from the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).

Sangita Manandhar, MCIP, RPP, is Acting Manager of the Parks and Culture Planning team in the Parks, Forestry and Environment Division, overseeing parkland strategies and studies, advancing parkland growth, and leading public engagement for parks.

 

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City of Ottawa - Pinecrest and Queensview Stations Secondary Plan:

The Pinecrest and Queensview Stations Secondary Plan is the City of Ottawa’s latest approved secondary plan, centred around two new stations on the city’s expanding O-Train network. The Plan establishes policies to guide redevelopment in a way that will improve connectivity, require a highly urban built form, and create new parks and public spaces. At the heart of the plan is the transformation of Queensivew Drive from a light industrial district to a transit-oriented mainstreet anchored by a new central park on City land. The Plan also calls for the replacement of a bus maintenance facility with a new recreation complex and includes a master plan for the redevelopment of the Foster Farm affordable housing community near Pinecrest Station. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Peter Giles, MCIP, RPP
• Jocelyn Cadieux, MCIP, RPP 
• Royce Fu, MCIP, RPP
• Kimberley Baldwin, MCIP, RPP
• Lisa Stern, MCIP RPP
• Kalle Hakala, MCIP, RPP
• Mary Ellen Wood, MCIP, RPP
• Dhaneshwar Neermul, MCIP, RPP
• John Lunney, MCIP, RPP
• Christine McCuaig, MCIP, RPP
• Timothy Beed, MCIP, RPP
• Matt McElligott, MCIP, RPP
• Lisa Dalla Rosa, MCIP, RPP
• Miguel Tremblay, MCIP, RPP

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Shahira Jalal
• Jacob Saltiel
• Payton Hofstetter
• Robert MacNeil
• Thiago Santos
• Patrick Bisson
• Doug van den Ham
• Shivangi Sinha

Peter Giles, MCIP, RPP, is a Senior Planner with the City of Ottawa in Policy and Community Planning. Peter holds a BES from the University of Waterloo and an MA in Planning from the University of British Columbia. He has over 17 years of experience in planning in the public sector, starting his career with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the last 14 years with the City of Ottawa. Peter’s passion for City-building is evident in the secondary plans and policy studies he leads, which provide long-term policy guidance for rapidly growing parts of Ottawa. He takes pride in finding creative solutions to the challenges of urban intensification and obtaining consensus from a diverse range of professionals and stakeholders.

Jocelyn Cadieux, MCIP, RPP, is a Policy Planner with the City of Ottawa’s Policy & Community Planning team working on urban secondary plans with a focus on mixed-use and greyfield redevelopment around new suburban light rail stations. He holds a bachelor’s in geography and communications from the University of Ottawa and a master’s in planning from York University. Jocelyn started his planning career working on development applications in the private sector and has been working at the City for nearly 5 years. Jocelyn is passionate about healthy communities and making sure that all people have the option to move around comfortably using sustainable modes of transportation. He is a member of the City’s 15-minute neighbourhoods implementation team.

 

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Dufferin County - Master Housing Strategy (2024):

The County of Dufferin, alongside Watson & Associates Economists, prepared a comprehensive Master Housing Strategy for the entirety of Dufferin County. Prepared to broaden the affordable housing options available to citizens in Dufferin County, the Master Housing Strategy brings forth recommendations surrounding strategic investments, policy reforms, and the leveraging of existing resources to assist the County of Dufferin in creating a more affordable housing stock. With the County of Dufferin expected to experience significant population growth over the next 20 years, the Master Housing Strategy will help balance the need for affordable housing with the additional need to establish a socially and economically flourishing County.  

OPPI Team Members:

• Liam Morgan, MCIP, RPP
• Rajbir Sian, MCIP, RPP 

Non-OPPI Team Members: 

• Brenda Wagner
• Anna McGregor

Liam Morgan, MCIP, RPP, is the Acting Planning Manager for the County of Dufferin. He holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Planning from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Engineering and Public Policy from McMaster University. During his time at the County of Dufferin, Liam has led the development review process, managed the final stages of the County of Dufferin Official Plan, and has begun to work on the preparation of a County-level Community Improvement Plan (CIP) alongside the Economic Development Division. Liam is passionate about creating sustainable communities, innovative policies, and advancing growth in rural communities.

Rajbir Sian, MCIP, RPP, is a Registered Professional Planner and a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planning as well as a Certified Economic Development Professional and Project Management Professional. She is currently the Director of Development and Tourism with Dufferin County. Rajbir’s passion for the public sector has involved working in by-law enforcement, tourism, economic development, and planning. She is passionate about creating environments through both policy and practice that enable communities to thrive in their current state and position them for future growth. Rajbir holds a Bachelor of Arts and Business, a Master of Public Service, and a Master of Planning, all from the University of Waterloo.

 

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EHON Major Streets Study (Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments):

In 2024, Toronto City Council adopted City Planning staff recommendations to permit townhouses and small-scale apartment buildings (up to six storeys) along the major streets of Toronto’s low-rise residential neighbourhoods, city-wide. This meant amending long standing Official Plan Neighbourhoods policies and restrictive zoning that provided limited opportunity to introduce housing types beyond single and semi-detached homes in much of the city’s neighbourhoods. The Major Streets team developed a strategy for expanding policy and zoning permissions for townhouses, and the introduction of small scale apartment buildings along the edges of Toronto’s neighbourhoods, that enables additional housing options for Toronto’s diverse, dynamic and growing population within its existing communities through incremental, sustainable growth. The study culminated in recommended Official Plan and zoning by-law amendments being adopted by City Council. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Brooke Marshall, MCIP, RPP 
• Kyle Knoeck, MCIP, RPP
• Andrew Farncombe, MCIP, RPP
• Rong Yu, MCIP, RPP
• Jamie Atkinson, Candidate Member
• Shirin Yazdani, MCIP, RPP
• Valeria Maurizio, MCIP, RPP
• Philip Liu, Candidate Member
• Denise McMullin, Candidate Member
• Evan Sinclair, MCIP, RPP
• Sophie Knowles, Candidate Member

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Samuel Baptiste
• Catherine Jung
• Raymond Tung
• Cecilia Nin Hernandez
• Swathika Anandan
• Kevin Chen
• Brandon Miles
• Junayed Chowdhury Md

Brooke Marshall, MCIP, RPP, is a Senior Planner with the Zoning Section of City Planning. Brooke has been a policy planner and project manager for 20 years in municipalities in British Columbia and in Ontario, leading projects of all sizes.  She co-led the EHON Major Streets Study with Samuel Baptiste. In addition to working to modernize zoning to remove restrictive zoning, she has led projects across many areas of practice, including leading Official Plan reviews, introducing early climate and environmental development permit areas, and updating employment regulations. Brooke holds degrees from the University of British Columbia and York University, and brings an interdisciplinary, evidence-based, creative approach to policy development.

Kyle Knoeck, MCIP, RPP, is Director Zoning & Secretary Treasurer Committee of Adjustment. As the Director, one part of his 25-year career at the city has been to lead efforts to modernize Toronto’s zoning regime and to expand housing opportunities in Toronto’s low-rise neighbourhoods through zoning that permits a broader range of housing types.

Andrew Farncombe, MCIP, RPP, is Project Manager in the Strategic Initiatives unit of Toronto City Planning. A geographer and urban planner, he leads major planning studies and policy initiatives. His project portfolio has included several secondary plans and city-wide policy initiatives, including: TOcore Downtown Plan, Jane Finch Initiative, Picture Mount Dennis, North York Centre Review, and EHON Major Streets. Earlier in his career, Andrew spent over 15 years at the Canadian Urban Institute, heading its international practice for nearly a decade. He holds degrees from the University of British Columbia and York University, and brings a collaborative, evidence-based and globally informed approach to city building.

Rong Yu, MCIP, RPP, is the Urban Design Project Manager for the City of Toronto, with over 20 years of experience shaping the city’s built environment. She leads many complex planning studies and large-scale urban projects. Some of her recent projects include the Mid-Rise Building Design Guidelines Update, Thermal Comfort Study, and Transit Design Guide. Rong holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Urban Development and Design, and is a full member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Jamie Atkinson, Candidate Member, was a Planner with the Zoning Section of the City Planning Division and contributed to the EHON Major Streets project by developing the zoning by-law amendment. He is now working as a Supervisor of Plan Review for the Toronto Building Division.

Shirin Yazdani, MCIP, RPP, has been working as a land-use planner and Project Coordinator at the City of Toronto, bringing solid experience in development review, process improvements, and enhancing operational efficiency. Her experience includes assisting EHON's Major Street team and reviewing residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional developments, as well as contributing to more streamlined and effective planning practices. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies (Urban and Regional Planning) from York University.

Valeria Maurizio, MCIP, RPP, is a land use planner with over 15 years of experience in a wide variety of development projects at a number of different scales in the Greater Toronto Area.

Philip Liu, Candidate Member, joined the City of Toronto in March of 2021 as a Planner, Community Planning in the North York District, and is now working as a Senior Planner, Community Planning in the Scarborough District. Prior to joining the City, Philip worked as a Development Planner at the City of Richmond Hill, where he first gained experience managing and reviewing a broad range of planning applications. Before that, he was an Urban Design Planner at the City of Markham, where he coordinated the City’s Design Review Panel program and provided urban design, landscaping, and tree preservation review for planning applications.

Since joining the City of Toronto’s public service in 2021, Denise McMullin, Candidate Member, has held planning roles in Development Review and is currently a Senior Planner specializing in Housing Policy within the Strategic Initiatives, Policy & Analysis of City Planning. She has contributed to several City Planning initiatives, including co-leading the development of the EHON Major Streets Zoning By-law and supporting a comprehensive review of the City’s rental replacement implementation practices. Prior to these roles, she served as the Planning and Policy Advisor to Councillor Josh Matlow, Ward 12, Toronto–St. Paul’s. Denise holds a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Evan Sinclair, MCIP, RPP, joined the Strategic Initiatives team in Toronto's City Planning Division in 2022. Since he has worked on a range of city-wide and area-specific projects, with a particular focus on managing change around retail, office, and other types of employment-generating uses. These projects include the North York Centre Secondary Plan Review, the Community Improvement Plan for the Economic Development and Growth in Employment Incentive Program, the PlazaPOV Study, and the Major Streets Study Official Plan Amendment. Evan holds a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Manitoba and is a Registered Professional Planner and full CIP member.

 

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Markham Natural Heritage Management Study & Natural Asset Study:

Markham’s Natural Heritage Management Study & Natural Asset Study is a new and innovative approach to dealing with natural heritage features and gives municipalities a new tool to achieve their natural heritage planning objectives. It identifies the current health of natural heritage features and evaluates the severity of potential threats to their long-term viability. The City uses an asset management approach where natural heritage features are treated as municipal assets with Council-endorsed service levels which outline the activities the City will undertake to maintain and enhance the natural heritage system. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Patrick Wong, RPP
• Mark Head, RPP

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Nory Takata
• Dave Plant
• Denny Boskovski
• Amy Taylor
• Loretta Hardwick

Patrick Wong, RPP, is a Senior Natural Heritage Planner with the City of Markham. He has been with the City since 2016 and works with a team to advance natural area management and natural systems planning.

Mark Head, MCIP, RPP, is the Manager of Natural Heritage in the Planning and Urban Design Department at the City of Markham. Mark has 30 years of experience in the planning field, with a specific focus on environmental and resource planning. Prior to joining the City, Mark worked at the Region of Peel for almost 20 years, where he was Manager of Research and Analysis in the Regional Planning Department, responsible for environmental policy and related programs. Mark is a member of OPPI and a past member of PIBC.

 

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Mississauga Official Plan 2051:

The new City of Mississauga Official Plan 2051 (MOP 2051) will guide and manage the city’s growth to create inclusive, complete communities. It allows various forms of housing opportunities and transit-supportive development options for a vibrant, livable city. The vision, goals and policies for MOP 2051 were shaped after hearing from thousands of businesses and residents as part of the public engagement process. MOP 2051 will help ensure Mississauga remains a welcoming and thriving city for years to come. MOP 2051 was deemed complete by the Province on May 5, 2025. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Amina Menkad, MCIP, RPP 
• Bentley Phillips, MCIP, RPP
• Shaesta Hussen, MCIP, RPP
• Taranjeet Uppal, MCIP, RPP
• Courtney Plato, RPP
• Sharleen Bayovo, MCIP, RPP
• Eniber Cabrera, MCIP, RPP

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Heliya Babazadeh-Oleghi
• Farah Sharib
• Erin Senior

Amina Menkad, MCIP, RPP, is a land use policy professional working as a planner with the City of Mississauga. Amina joined the City 5 years ago to work on the new Mississauga Official Plan 2051. Her background includes extensive experience with multiple public and private institutions. Amina holds a Bachelor of Architectural Studies and a Master's of Urban Planning, both from the University of Toronto.

Bentley Phillips, MCIP, RPP, is Executive Manager of the City of Mississauga’s Official Plan Team and has over 25 years of experience as a land use planner. Prior to his current role, Ben led the processing and project management of a number of significant development applications at the City as a Planner. Before joining the City, Ben worked for planning consulting firms in Vaughan, Ontario. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Waterloo.

Shaesta Hussen, MCIP, RPP, is a Planner on the Official Plan Review Team at the City of Mississauga. She has experience in both the public and private planning sectors. As a municipal planner, she has experience reviewing and processing development applications and preparing policy documents, including the new Mississauga Official Plan 2051. Shaesta holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Urban Planning) from the University of Waterloo and a Master’s in Public Health (Health Promotion) from the University of Alberta.

Taranjeet Uppal, MCIP, RPP, is a Planning Associate on the Official Plan team at the City of Mississauga with experience in both the public and private sectors. As a Planning Associate, she generates research and analysis on various planning-related issues, such as heights in Major Transit Station Areas, and helps prepare policy documents, including the Mississauga Official Plan 2051.

Courtney Plato, RPP, is a Planning Associate with the City of Mississauga. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies, with Honours in Urban Planning, and a Master of Landscape Architecture. After beginning her career in urban design, she transferred to policy planning at the City and worked alongside the project leads on the Mississauga Official Plan 2051.

Sharleen Bayovo, MCIP, RPP, is a professional planner with policy, land use planning and development experience spanning over 20 years. She worked as a Planner with the City of Mississauga for 11 years, including dedicated work on the new Mississauga Official Plan 2051. Sharleen is presently a Senior Planner, Policy with the Community Planning team at the City of Burlington.

Eniber Cabrera, MCIP, RPP, is the Manager - Growth Management and Planning Data at the City of Mississauga. With over 18 years of experience in the public and private sectors, Eniber has worked on policy and land-use planning, project management, strategic planning, growth management, and community engagement. In her current role, Eniber leads a team of passionate planning and spatial data experts. Eniber has a degree in Urbanism (Simon Bolivar University, Venezuela) and an MA in Management (Hamline University, USA).

 

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Region of Durham - The Ritson School Project: A Model for Housing Delivery on Public Land:

Unlike many municipalities that bring public land to market through an open bid, the Region of Durham took a more proactive and strategic approach. The result is a process that reduces risk, avoids unrealistic proposals, and makes it possible for non-profit and community-based developers to participate on a more equal footing. The site in question, the former Ritson School in Oshawa, was purchased by the Region in 2022 as a key opportunity to advance affordable housing on a 5.3-acre, centrally located, transit-accessible site. This project offers a replicable model for municipalities aiming to lead with vision, address feasibility upfront, and enable a wider range of housing providers to deliver public benefit on public land. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Naama Blonder, RPP 
• Gary Muller, RPP
• Yvonne Ye, Candidate Member

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Meaghan Macdonald
• Misha Bereznyak
• Perfecto Villabla
• Zoie Browne
• Anil Ramjee
• Chris White
• Matt Paizuk

Naama Blonder, MCIP, RPP, is an architect, urban planner and designer, and co-founder of Smart Density. She brings a bold, multidisciplinary approach to rethinking how cities grow. Blonder's work focuses on addressing housing affordability, advancing inclusive neighbourhoods, and challenging the stigma around intensification. Through public speaking, design work, and thought leadership, she promotes a more informed conversation about the mutually beneficial outcomes of reimagining what our big cities can look like: greater access to established public transport, shortened commutes, improved housing costs and vacancy rates, greater diversity in housing, and strengthened local economies and communities.

Gary Muller, MCIP, RPP, is the Director of Affordable Housing Development and Renewal with Durham Region, where he is leading programs to create new affordable housing, build capacity, improve built conditions and revitalize communities. Over the course of his career, Gary led the Planning areas in Durham and the Town of Ajax, directed a range of projects from Official Plan reviews, incentive programs, community improvement plans, land use and urban design studies, zoning by-law reviews, shaped new communities and provided testimony before the OLT. Gary has a Master’s in Urban and Rural Planning from Dalhousie University and an undergrad in Planning from TMU.

Yvonne Ye, Candidate Member, is a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Honours) from Toronto Metropolitan University. She is passionate about advancing equitable, sustainable cities through inclusive planning processes that centre community insight, design feasibility, and long-term impact. Her experience spans planning due diligence, highest and best use assessments, built-form analysis, and development applications for infill, mid-rise, and tall buildings, as well as master plans. Yvonne believes that meaningful collaboration is essential to shaping resilient, people-centred communities.

WINNING PROJECTS

• Empowering the Future: Activa Partners with Groh Public School for a Unique Community Project
• Planning Act Tools to Facilitate the Development of Affordable Housing

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Empowering the Future: Activa Partners with Groh Public School for a Unique Community Project:

This project was an innovative project developed by the client and local developer in Waterloo Region (Activa Holdings Inc., 'Activa') in partnership with the Groh Public School in Kitchener.  Two classes of Grade 7 students were tasked with re-designing one of Activa's subdivisions. Their mission was to conceptualize a community design that considers demographics, affordability, sustainability, and placemaking, all while adhering to a set budget. Over several months, they gained invaluable insights into the multifaceted world of community planning. The project culminated in the student groups making a formal presentation to the City Council, presenting their proposed new community of Harvest Park. 

OPPI Team Members:  

• Pierre Chauvin, MCIP, RPP 
• Janine Oosterveld, MCIP, RPP

Non-OPPI Team Members:  

• Geoff McMurdo
• Jennifer Shaefer
• Jes Neilson

 

Pierre Chauvin, MCIP, RPP, has been a Partner at MHBC since 1998. Mr. Chauvin provides urban planning services for both public and private sector clients across Ontario. His professional activities include project management, community/policy planning, and land development. Pierre’s experience ranges from residential, institutional, industrial, and commercial development to environmental and recreational planning, as well as agricultural/rural planning. Pierre has provided expert planning evidence at the Ontario Municipal Board and other tribunals. Pierre holds a Master’s degree in Regional Planning and Resource Development, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree with a major in Natural Resources Management.

Janine Oosterveld, MCIP, RPP, is a Registered Professional Planner with over 25 years’ experience in Canada and the US. As part of Kitchener’s Planning division, she leads a team that supports affordable housing, streamlining approvals, zoning services and climate policy.

 

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Planning Act Tools to Facilitate the Development of Affordable Housing:

At a time of national and provincial announcements of a housing crisis, and a strong realization that access to affordable housing in Oakville is out of reach for most residents, Oakville staff prepared a foundational document to address these issues:  Planning Act Tools to Facilitate the Development of Affordable Housing. This report provides information about four Planning Act tools and how they can be leveraged to facilitate the development of affordable housing.  It is an excellent reference document for the general public, government leaders, members of the development industry and professional planners. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Sybelle von Kursell, MCIP, RPP 
• Gabe Charles, MCIP, RPP
• Neil Garbe, MCIP, RPP

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Nadia Chandra
• Jennifer Huctwith

 

Sybelle von Kursell, MCIP, RPP, is the Manager of Midtown Oakville and Special Programs in the Town of Oakville Community Development Commission. She has broad experience working with Planning Act tools to address challenging planning issues at all scales of development. This work includes the development of: official plans, housing strategies, community improvement plans, and, most recently, the development of a Community Planning Permit by-law for the Town of Oakville to facilitate affordable and long-term sustainable development. Always seeking to improve our communities, Sybelle has been and continues to be involved in inter-regional working groups to address planning and development challenges through innovative means.

Gabe Charles, MCIP, RPP, has over 25 years of professional public sector experience in the fields of Planning and Urban Design. He is an active member of OPPI, CIP, and the Council for Canadian Urbanism (CanU), and is currently the Chief Planner for the Town of Oakville.

Neil Garbe, MCIP, RPP, has been a Registered Professional Planner for 27 years, holding senior planning positions at York Region and the Town of Oakville. Neil has served as Chief Administrative Officer with the Town of Aurora and Richmond Hill, guiding the municipality through significant periods of growth. He has spent his career building communities through collaborative public/private partnerships, including large-scale infrastructure projects. He is currently Chief Administrative Officer of the Town of New Tecumseth.

WINNING PROJECTS

• Planning for One Health: Building Quality Oversight Infrastructure for Wastewater Surveillance
• Safe Passage: Towards an Integrated Planning Approach to Landscape Connectivity

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Planning for One Health: Building Quality Oversight Infrastructure for Wastewater Surveillance:

This project established critical quality oversight infrastructure to support wastewater surveillance systems in Ontario and across Canada. As wastewater monitoring emerged as a critical tool for public health surveillance—especially in response to threats like COVID-19, H5N1, monkeypox, and measles—it became clear that the absence of standardized laboratory methods posed a significant challenge.  The initiative addressed this gap by introducing a national inter-laboratory study and developing a proficiency testing program that achieved ISO 17043:2023 accreditation—the first of its kind for wastewater surveillance. These efforts laid the foundation for more consistent, high-quality data to inform public health underpinning wastewater surveillance activities in Canada. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Alex Ho Shing Chik, Candidate Member 

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Jane J.Y. Ho
• Christopher Adam
• Lina Kim
• Urvi Verkhedkar
• Fred Xingyu Feng
• Nicholas Williams
• Yuhan Jiang

 

Alex Ho Shing Chik, Candidate Member, works at the nexus of environmental engineering, planning, and One Health. He holds a joint PhD from Utrecht University, Vienna University of Technology, and University of Waterloo (UW), as well as MES and BASc (Hons) degrees from UW. His research focuses on wastewater surveillance, molecular pathogen detection, and QA/QC infrastructure. He established the world’s first ISO-accredited Proficiency Testing program for wastewater surveillance methods and leads work in method evaluation and molecular diagnostics standardization. Recognized among the AAEES Top 40 Under 40, 2025, he is appointed to the Royal Society of Canada’s COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance Expert Panel and is an adjunct professor at the University of Guelph.

 

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Safe Passage: Towards an Integrated Planning Approach to Landscape Connectivity​:

Activated by OPPI member Nina-Marie Lister, Professor in the School of Planning, and Director of the Ecological Design Lab (EDL) at Toronto Metropolitan University, this project advances research for the sustainable planning, design, and implementation of crossing infrastructure and improved landscape connectivity. Supported by science-driven policy, planning, and design, the intent of the Safe Passage project is to (re)connect landscapes for the safe passage of both humans and wildlife and translate landscape connectivity issues to the municipal scale, to improve our contemporary relationship with wildlife across urbanizing landscapes by championing human-wildlife coexistence strategies. 

OPPI Team Members:

• Nina-Marie E. Lister, MCIP, RPP

Non-OPPI Team Members:

• Sabrina Careri 

Nina-Marie E. Lister, MCIP, RPP, is Professor of Planning and Director of the Ecological Design Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University. A Senior Fellow of Massey College and Visiting Professor at Harvard University, Lister holds the 2025 Bracken Fellowship in Landscape Architecture at Penn State. As a registered professional planner and ecologist, Lister’s lab connects people and nature in our cities. Her published research focuses on green infrastructure design for climate resilience, biodiversity, and human wellbeing. A recipient of the Canadian Green Building Council’s excellence and leadership award, Lister was nominated among Planetizen’s Most Influential Urbanists and in 2021, she was awarded the Margolese National Prize for design.

WINNER

Danielle Culp, Candidate Member, is a Senior Planner with the Regional Municipality of Durham, specializing in transportation, policy planning, and community engagement. She leads regional initiatives promoting sustainable and equitable transportation, including the Cycling Wayfinding and Signage Strategy and the E-Scooter By-law. Danielle also co-teaches a planning field research course at Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) School of Urban and Regional Planning and founded two mentorship programs, one within her organization and another through TMU's Planning Alumni Association, that support emerging planners. Her work emphasizes collaboration, equity, and community-driven solutions to advance active transportation and inclusive mobility.

From her self-nomination for this award:

"Through my experience in planning, I lead with purpose, humility, and care, focusing on how infrastructure impacts daily life, equity, and access. I’ve played key roles in shaping the Region’s first Cycling Wayfinding and Signage Strategy and the Regional Cycling Plan Update, bridging technical planning with lived experience and building consensus across departments and communities. To me, emerging leadership means influencing through trust, fostering inclusion, and creating opportunities for others to grow."

WINNER

Claire Dodds, MCIP, RPP, is a Registered Professional Planner with over 20 years’ experience. Raised in rural Ontario, she is committed to building vibrant, sustainable communities. She holds a BA in Urban-Economic Geography from Queen’s University and an MSc in Rural Planning and Development from the University of Guelph. Claire has held progressive planning roles across Ontario, leading housing, agriculture, and energy planning initiatives. Her collaborative, interdisciplinary leadership fosters strong partnerships to address community challenges. In 2023, Claire was hired as the Commissioner of Community Development in Bruce County. She now oversees affordable housing, transportation, environmental services, energy planning, and regional growth.

 

From Scott Taylor, MCIP, RPP, who nominated Clarie for this award: 

"Beyond job titles, Claire is a sought-after mentor who takes time to support students, emerging professionals, and peers. Claire has consistently set aside generous time to collaborate with colleagues and coach newer members of the planning team. This keen willingness is something Claire has continued her entire career, including formally sponsoring many Planners in their RPP accreditation process. In her various roles, she has worked across multi-disciplinary teams and volunteered on numerous working groups and task forces province-wide. Her leadership style is to seek common ground and to recognize that 'planning is never just about land - it is about people, systems, and the long-term health of places.'" 

WINNING PEOPLE

• Jennifer Passy, MCIP, RPP
• ​​​Rajbir Sian, MCIP, RPP

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Jennifer Passy, MCIP, RPP, is a school board planner with 27+ years of experience. She leads planning for Waterloo Catholic District School Board, working with ministries, municipalities, and communities, and represents the sector in local and provincial working groups.

From Allan Rothwell, MCIP, RPP (Retired), who nominated Jennifer for this award: 

"For over twenty years, Jennifer Passy has been the inspiration, and coordination for the Southwest District's annual Curling Bonspiel.  The funds raised from the Bonspiel support the Southwest District's Educational Trust Foundation provide two, one-thousand-dollar scholarships to students attending a planning school within the Southwest District. Jennifer has consistently supported OPPI events and activities throughout her career.  As outside observers, we also see that wherever Jennifer has worked, she consistently provides guidance and mentorship to help colleagues grow professionally."

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Rajbir Sian, MCIP, RPP, is a Registered Professional Planner and a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planning as well as a Certified Economic Development Professional and Project Management Professional. She is currently the Director of Development and Tourism with Dufferin County. Rajbir’s passion for the public sector has involved working in by-law enforcement, tourism, economic development, and planning. She is passionate about creating environments through both policy and practice that enable communities to thrive in their current state and position them for future growth. Rajbir holds a Bachelor of Arts and Business, a Master of Public Service, and a Master of Planning, all from the University of Waterloo.

 
From her self-nomination for this award:

"For the past 6 years, my time as an OPPI volunteer has been a very rewarding experience in speaking with those in the planning profession, from current students to those who are looking at planning as a second career. I have been able to showcase through sharing testimonials that my planning technical knowledge has been recognized as valuable across different departments, as I work in the public sector. I enjoy speaking with those interested in planning because it allows me the opportunity to advocate for the profession and for OPPI. But more importantly, I have the ability to network with others who also share a passion for the planning profession. "