Planner to Leader Bootcamp Attendee Packet & Articles

ABOUT

TheEquity,Diversity,& Inclusion(EDI)Committee

The APA Florida Executive Committee createdtheAPAFloridaEquity,Diversity,and Inclusion(EDI)Committeein2019todevelop andimplementEDIinitiativesforthechapter. This Chapter EDI Implementation Update reports progress to date, as well as contact information for APA Florida members/allied organizations to provide feedback and to engagewiththeEDICommittee’sefforts.

The EDI Committee welcomes the participation of all APA Florida members. GetinvolvedinAPAFlorida’sEDIinitiativesby visiting Florida.Planning.org/EDI to view the Chapter EDI Strategy and EDI resources, learn about upcoming events and projects, provide input on EDI issues and priorities,or volunteer.

C o n t a c t U s

PleasecontactEDICommitteeCo Chairsformoreinformation: RoxannRead(RRead@Apopka.net) BobCambric(bob.cambric@gmail.com)

OUR SPEAKERS

AllaraMillsGutcher,AICP

Owner&ManagingPrincipal,ThePlanningCollaborative

AllaraistheownerandManagingPrincipalofThePlanningCollaborative,asole-proprietorship.Sheis a seasoned policy planner and has worked with both local governments and private developers on numerousdevelopmententitlementstoincludecomprehensiveplanamendments,zoningchanges, and issuance of development orders Allara’s career includes Gadsden County as the Planning and Community Development Director, overseeing economic development, planning, community development and tourism initiatives. Prior to that she was the Planning Manager for the City of PanamaCity.Allarahasover25yearsofexperienceinthelanduseplanningprofessionwithaMCRP fromtheUniversityofOklahoma

StevenR.Cover,AICP

DirectorofPlanning,CityofSarasota

SteveistheDirectorofPlanningfortheCityofSarasotaandwasinstrumentalinsecuringapprovalof “TheBay”MasterPlan,implementingtheCity’snewBayRunnerTrolleyandbikeshare/scootershare program, and initiating the City’s new Public Art initiative and Historic Preservation Program. Prior to StevearrivingtoSarasota,hewasPlanningDirectorforthecitiesofAtlanta,Madison,Wisconsinand Arlington, VA, Fulton County, GA and Anne Arundel County, MD Steve also has considerable private sector experience, including being Managing Principal for HOK Architects in Atlanta. Steve has MastersdegreesinbothArchitectureandCityPlanningfromGa.Tech,andalsostudiedattheEcole desBeauxArtsinParis,France.

ClaudiaRay Director,UrbanDesign,RViPlanning+LandscapeArchitecture

Claudia is the Director of Urban Design at RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture She’s a forward thinking urban designer and planner with 10 years of experience working with public, private and institutional clients on projects at all scales in the field of planning, landscape design and architecture.Claudiahasinnatetalenttoinfluencepeopleandencouragebetterdecisionsbyusing skills and knowledge to envision the future of places.

MelissaE.Zornitta,FAICP

served on the City of Orlando’s Municipal

CountyPlanningCommission.In

County, City of Tampa, City of Temple Terrace and Plant City. Under her leadership, the agency

diversity and inclusion, and revamped hiring and recruitment to better support diverse candidates Ms. Zornitta has over 20 years of experience working in land use planning, comprehensive planning andcommunityplanningforlocalgovernmentsinFlorida.

SolutionsEngineer,Swiftly,Inc.

Jenniferisatransportationplannerwithover15yearsofexperience Herearlycareerinvolvedworkin both the public and private sector, where she led planning, grant writing, and public engagement efforts for the implementation of bike, pedestrian, transit, and Safe Routes to School projects. Recently, she has shifted her focus to new innovations in mobility, and helping transit agencies leverage data and technology to discover operational efficiencies and inform the planning and evaluationofprojects

Tinaisacertifiedplannerandcommunityleaderwithover15yearsofexperienceinthe d public sectors. She provides clients with strategic guidance and manages diverse project teams to facilitatesolutionstoabroadrangeofgrowthmanagement,permittingandplanningissues Tinais highly skilled in leveraging complex, unique property conditions and locations while enhancing the public interest to secure entitlements. She has a particular proficiency for interlinking public natural resources and private property to establish distinct communities and non residential development. Tinaisaninfluentialleaderwithexperienceintegratingteamsandmentoringaspiringprofessionals.

Mary Moskowitz, AICP, is currently the Manager for the Seminole County Planning and Development Divisionandhasover17yearsofexperienceasaprofessionalurbanandtransportationplanner She has been the project manager for several transportation planning projects, including both the Osceola County and Seminole County Mobility Fee programs. She obtained a Masters of Planning in Civic Urbanism from Rollins College.

serves on the City of Sanford Historic Preservation Board.

is an avid runner and cyclist and can be found most weekends on one of Seminole County’s

served as

County

Project Director for a national consulting firm.

has a passion

level and regional visioning

SPEAKERS

AmyElmore,AICP

SeniorPlanner/ProjectManager,EXP

Amy Elmore, AICP

over 10 years of

in

storytelling, developing equitable

engagement activities As a Senior Planner/Project Manager with EXP with a

and guiding

public involvement, inclusive engagement, building public/private

of

and negotiating public discorse.

proud to serve as the

of the

Florida

Tampa, Florida. Brad has 27 years of Florida planning experience in both the public and private sectors. Prior to working with Wade Trim, Brad was the Director of Development Services for Sumter County While at Sumter County Brad had the opportunity to work with residents of the Royal communityandhasestablishedstrongrelationshipswithinRoyal WhileatWadeTrim,Bradassisted RoyalwithanupdatetoacommunityplanandcontinuestoprovidesupporttotheRoyalcommunity.

AlexisCrespo,AICP

George

GeorgeM.Kramer,AICP

Susan Swift, AICP has decades of planning and zoning experience in Florida, Virginia and Maryland. SheservedasplanningdirectorforTampa,PinellasPark,Rockville,MDandLeesburg,VA.Shehasalso workedfornationalfirms,andisnowPlanningDirectorforBoggsEngineeringLLCinPlantCity Susan is currently focused on eminent domain expert witness work for various government agencies, entitlementworkfordevelopmentclientsandbroadeningthefirm’spublicsectorservices.Knownas achangeagentandinnovator,Susanhaswonseveralawardsforcreativeplansandrecognizedfor streamlining codes, development review procedures and permitting. At the policy level, she testified before legislators in three states to improve transportation funding, affordable housing and growth managementtools

Heather Urwiller serves as the Planning Manager for the City of Sanford. She has 17 years of experience,12yearsofwhichareinplanningleadership.Herpriorprofessionalrolesincludeplanning leadwiththeCityofTarponSprings,TownofPrincetown,NY,andTownofRandolph,MA Heatheralso works as a consultant in private practice She is a member of the American Institute of Certified PlannersandaCertifiedFloodplainManager.HerMaster’sisinUrbanandRegionalPlanningfromthe University at Albany. Heather’s interests include developing planning talent and personal and professionalleadershipdevelopment.

Alissa has over 28 years of planning experience that includes transportation, land use, economic development, public participation, and intergovernmental coordination She holds a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University and a PhD in Texts and TechnologyfromtheUniversityofCentralFlorida.Herextensiveprofessionalserviceandleadershipat local,state,andnationallevelsfocusonthegrowthandinclusivityoftheurbanplanningprofession, including as a founding member and former Co Chair of the APA Florida Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee Alissa’s achievements in planning practice, planning education, professional and community service, and leadership led to her recognition as a Fellow of the

A native of the Midwest, Roxann Read, AICP, CFM has worked as a planner in Missouri, South Florida and Central Florida. During her planning career, Roxann has survived the 2008 financial crisis and recovery, personal growth and discovery and now serves as the Planning Manager for the City of Apopka, FL Roxann graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with an MPA in Public Administration.Roxannhas30yearsofexperienceinthedisabilityarena,advocatingforherson,who hasautism,aswellaspeoplewithavarietyofdisabilitiesthroughtheSpecialOlympicsprogram.

1

DEFINING YOUR STRENGTHS

By Tina M. Ekblad, MPA, AICP

Find your why. Identify the reason, the why you want to achieve a specific thing. This needs to be a deeper dive ask yourself why multiple times. Whatever the reason is, it will be the thing that keeps you going when motivation wanes.

2The 1 Simple Step. Identify the single easiest step you can take every day that will help you reach your goal. Implementing this thing daily will bring intention to the goal and again keep you going when motivation wanes.

3Debrief. When things don’t progress exactly as you envisioned, remember progress over perfection. Make sure you take time to reflect. When you achieve milestones and/or goals, take time to debrief what went well and what you would do again. Learn from these experiences and build on them.

By Tina M. Ekblad, MPA, AICP

Practice projecting confidence in situations outside of the office As an example, when ordering and waiting for a food order, what is your body posture like? What are your interactions with other patrons like? Do these actions reflect the confidence you want to project or something else? Or consider taking the time to learn about the people around you. Identify one person who you don’t have an existing relationship with. Ask them to lunch or coffee and get to know them. Doing some background research on the person before the lunch or meeting so you have some questions as an icebreaker or to fill a lull in the conversation. You will be improving a skill while also learning more about your teammates and building stronger relationships. Use these experiences to project the emotion and confidence you desire when you are at the office. Practicing confidence in less stressful/emotional situations outside the office will make it easier to bring this skill into workplace situations.

Reflect each day on what has occurred over the past 24 hours. Write down the top 3 things that have occurred where you demonstrated the impact and confidence you desire. Write down how you are going to build on these “wins” over the next 24 hours At the end of each month, quarter, year, devote time to look back at these actions which may seem small but together have a much greater impact. During the same session consider what you want to accomplish in the next month, quarter, year

What are some tips for setting career goals and achieving them?

How do you build confidence and impact when you are the only underrepresented person in a meeting or at your firm/agency?

"Give yourself grace. A career is a long journey with setbacks at times so focus on how you move forward."

~ Melissa Zornitta, FAICP

By Melissa Zornitta, FAICP

Communication!!!! In all forms making presentations, writing skills, being diplomatic and tactful.

Interpersonal skills such as emotional intelligence is really important in relating to others on your team, leaders in the community, etc.

Human resources, budgeting, politics all of these are critical to being a good manager and are often not taught in planning school I sought out training on these from other sources.

Build your network. This one is hard for me as I am naturally an introvert and don’t often want to go to the networking events, but it has been very beneficial to my career to do so and push myself outside of my comfort zone.

By TinaM.Ekblad,MPA,AICP

Leaders never stop developing their soft skills. The most important soft skill for individuals to understand and master is the concept of emotional intelligence the idea that we have a choice in how we respond to all situations. Bringing awareness and intention to your behavior as a manager/leader is one of the most important soft skills to develop and continue to refine Each member of your team will be motivated differently and your knee jerk reactions may not be motivating to all members. Understanding this and working to identify the appropriate response in stressful situations will improve the success of everyone on your Team

Another skill that is not discussed enough for leaders is the ability to Actively Listen. Too often we continue to look at our screens or we are thinking of our next statement/question while other team members are talking As a result, we often miss verbal and non verbal cues that should be guiding our response. The concept of active listening is to take in the feedback our teammates are sharing with us without the distraction of technology and our own thoughts The benefit is we can offer valuable feedback in response, ask for clarification when needed and solve problems collaboratively.

Bringing awareness and intention to your behavior as a manager/leader is one of the most important soft skills to develop and continue to refine.

~ Tina M. Ekblad, MPA, AICP

What are the most important “soft skills” for management and leadership, and how can they be developed?

BUILDING THE TOOLS TO SUCCEED

What are some tips for setting career goals and achieving them?

By Melissa Zornitta, FAICP

It is important to view your career from both a long term and short term perspective and set goals for both. So long term you might want to take on a management or leadership role with the organization. Short term you might want to volunteer to lead a small project to gain experience and increase your exposure to be considered for the next promotion.

There is no one strategy that works for everyone Find the strategies that work best for you and practice them. For example, for me, I need a to do list and I need some of the short term tasks to my larger professional goals on that to do list. I put on the list the people I need to set up lunch or coffee with to maintain good relationships with partners Discover what will work for you to keep you accountable and moving forward.

At the same time, don’t expect that you’re going to be able to do everything well or fast. It takes time to master skills and grow into leadership positions. Allow yourself time and to fail. Give yourself grace. A career is a long journey with setbacks at times so focus on how you move forward

Maintain a good support system outside of the workplace. I have found that having a good supportive partner and friends outside of work has been key to helping me reflect on progress toward my goals, see the obstacles that I might be too close to see, have people to vent to and discuss issues and solutions.

By Melissa Zornitta, FAICP

Before a meeting or presentation, I try to focus on the areas where I am the subject matter expert. So, I know more about the Comprehensive Plan than the others in the room for example or about this one amendment to the plan than the elected officials do. Focusing on what I know and can control helps my nerves and gives me confidence.

Particularly as a woman, I find I must fight the urge to be deferential to others Sit at the table, speak up when I have an opinion, and don’t automatically offer to do the more routine tasks like note taking.

In a room of strong opinions, I find it helpful to utilize the “Yes and” approach. Agreeing with their point and building upon it often gives more traction to your point

Women have so many strengths as leaders to focus on. The ability to look at both sides, to listen, to be less combative in response, to emphasize with people, to build consensus and resolve conflicts Sometimes these are seen as weakness, but I believe they are strengths and should be drawn on more. Women’s ability to want to hear and listen from everyone is critical right now as our communities are so polarized; I believe that is key to help us find middle ground and begin to identify common shared values that can be built upon.

How do you build confidence and impact when you are the only underrepresented person in a meeting or at your firm/agency?

RESUMES, BIOS, & LINKEDIN FOR LEADERS

EYE-CATCHING RESUMES & BIOS

By Alissa Barber Torres, PhD, FAICP, CLTD

Highlight Your Results

Ensure that your resume, bio, and LinkedIn profile show the value you add as a leader, what sets you apart, and your positive impact. Highlight your results, rather than just describing specific tasks, and quantify these accomplishments where possible.

Use Effective Verbs

Create entries with enough detail and active verbs to effectively communicate your level of leadership/ responsibility in your jobs and projects. Effective verbs include administer, develop, create, achieve, enhance, and lead look for lists online.

Focus on the Impacts

Keep your resume at a maximum of two pages, such as by focusing on your most recent 10 15 years of experience and highlighting a few impactful roles and accomplishments per job, rather than noting every responsibility.

Develop Your Cohesive Brand

Consider how your resume, bio, and LinkedIn profile can work together to help define who you are and how you are seen by others, often called your “personal brand.” The themes, keywords, and content should create a consistent and powerful message about your talents and expertise. There are a number of personal brand audit tools online to help craft your message, or try a resource like CliftonStrengths to identify themes

SCROLL-STOPPING LINKEDIN

SticktotheBasics

Check to ensure you have all the LinkedIn “basics” covered to effectively tell your story. Thisincludeshavingallsectionscompleted,a professional looking headshot, a compelling headline, and a summary that includes relevant keywords and that details your strengths,skills,andaccomplishments.

ShareYourStory

Don’t be afraid to share personal interests or activities, such as volunteer service, that communicate your values, beliefs, and point

FindYourConnections

Reach out to colleagues and friends for

and to ask for a courtesy review of your resume and bio. Their input should focus on themes of initiative, innovation, strategic contributions, and project management

we see talking about ourselves as

By Tina M. Ekblad, MPA, AICP & Melissa Zornitta, FAICP