2022 Keynote Speakers 

Wednesday, October 12 | Petra Hurtado, PHD, American Planning Association

Emerging Trends on APA’s Watchlist & the Future of Planning

As planners, we shape the future of our communities, but to be able to shape the future, we first need to be able to imagine it. The world around us is changing at an accelerated pace, and the future is more unknowable than ever before. Tech innovations, societal shifts, climate change, economic restructuring, political shifts, and unknown implications from the COVID-19 pandemic make it even more difficult to effectively plan for a future where the only true certainty is more change.

In her presentation, Petra will talk about APA’s foresight practice and how it is used to make sense of future uncertainties. She will highlight some of the emerging trends and signals APA has been watching on the horizon and how they might impact our communities, and she will discuss related opportunities for the planning profession. Let’s use the future to create great communities for all!

About the Speaker:

Petra (Stieninger) Hurtado is the Research Director at the American Planning Association, heading APA’s research programs and foresight practice. In this role, she is responsible for expanding a future-focused research agenda, advancing planning practices that assist communities in navigating change, and developing APA's foresight practice to inform APA's strategic governance. Her areas of expertise and research include urban futures and foresight, urban sustainability, smart cities, emerging technologies, nature-based solutions, and environmental psychology. In addition, Petra teaches a course on "community visioning with foresight" at the University of Maryland.

Prior to joining APA, she worked as an advisor, planner, researcher, and educator in the global urban sustainability arena. She has a Ph.D. in urban planning from the Vienna University of Technology, where she teaches urban sustainability and environmental psychology.

Additionally, she has been a guest lecturer at Harvard GSD, Loyola University Chicago, and the Universidad Tecnologica de Bolivar. Petra has authored and co-authored multiple books, research papers, publicly funded reports, and articles and has presented as a subject matter expert at numerous conferences around the globe.

Thursday, October 13 | Angela Brooks, FAICP, Corporation for Supportive Housing

Take Action By Leading

Communities around the country are facing a number of challenges – the housing crisis to climate change to inequity. APA President-Elect Angela Brooks, FAICP, will discuss how these challenging times actually present an opportunity for planners to lead and move their communities forward. Hear about APA’s strategic focus and efforts underway to best assist members as they lead.

1) Understand APA’s four strategic initiatives and how these will help advance the planning profession.

2) Understand actions and efforts APA has undertaken to help planners address the challenges facing communities today.

3) Learn how APA is working to support your efforts to create communities that offer opportunity and access for all.

About the Speaker:

Angela Brooks, FAICP, is the Illinois Program Director for the Corporation for Supportive Housing working to improve capacity throughout the state to house and support vulnerable populations. She previously served as the development manager for the Chicago Housing Authority. Her career has focused on improving housing and ensuring equitable access. She is a fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners and holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of New Orleans, and a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Jackson State University. As an active member of APA, Angela has served on the Board of Directors and as chair of the Housing and Community Development Division. She is a Commissioner on the City of Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals,  vice president of communications for Lambda Alpha International and a past member of the City of Seattle Planning Commission. When not working to improve housing opportunities, Angela is a triathlete and an active commuter and road cyclist. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc and the Links, Incorporated. She is also a living organ donor.