Class of 2025
Jessica Bloye, AICP
Senior Urban Planner
Johnson & Associates
Jessica works tireless to provide exceptional service to her clients and community. She has worked on some of the largest projects in Oklahoma City over the last 7 years and continues to thrive.
Belinda Deines
Community Development and Public Works Director
City of La Palma, California
Belinda stands out as a highly accomplished and innovative planner who prioritizes mentorship above all. In the workplace, Belinda prioritizes effective communication, emphasizes "the big picture" and applies the planning process to improve systems. Her expertise and skills propelled her from planner to Community Development and Public Works Director in the past year. Most importantly, Belinda created APA Orange PEEL (Planning = Education + Experience + Leadership), Orange County's successful mentoring program that established a lasting network of emerging and experienced planners over the past decade since 2015.
Lauren Perez Hoogkamer
Principal Planner
City of Tacoma, Washington
Lauren’s professional goals are to ensure local government and the built environment equitably serve our diverse communities. As Tacoma’s Assistant Historic Preservation Officer she led the education and outreach program which received the Washington State Historic Preservation Officers 2019 award for Outstanding Achievement in Preservation Education. She also served as the managing Principal Planner for Tacoma’s new Neighborhood Planning Program, which received the 2023 PAW/APA Excellence in Planning Award for Implementation: McKinley Hill Neighborhood Plan; the 2023 Governor’s Smart Communities Award for Smart Equity Strategies: McKinley Hill Neighborhood Plan; the 2024 Healthy Communities Award: McKinley Hill Neighborhood Plan Implementation: McKinley Overlook; and the 2025 PAW/APA Excellence in Planning Award for Community Involvement: South Tacoma Neighborhood Plan. The program was centered on the implementation of equitable and trauma-informed grass roots engagement and community co-created neighborhood visions and projects. Currently, Lauren is the managing Principal Planner developing a new Communications and Engagement Team for Tacoma’s Planning and Development Services Department, with the goal of improving community access to planning services and policy. Lauren is also a published author and a National of Alliance of Preservation Commission’s CAMP Trainer.
Todd Miller
Land Use and Zoning Coordinator
City of Worcester, Massachusetts
Zoning officer of the second largest city in the northeast, at 38. Also, previously appeared in the planning student rankings by planning peeps earlier in his career!
Nabila Nur, AICP
Director of Planning and Development
City of Garland, Texas
Nabila has shown incredible leadership in the Planning World. She now serves as the Director of Planning and Development for the City of Garland and has a critical role in shaping Garland’s future. Nabila is decisive, confident, inclusive and is truly one of the best in the industry. Before coming to Garland, Nabila served as the Director of Community Development for the Town of Argyle. She also served City of Dallas and City of Arlington in leadership roles and helped many communities during her time as a private consultant as well.
Dee Powell, CNU-A
Founder/Urban Planner
Do Right By The Streets, LLC (DRBTS)
Her contribution to urban planning goes far beyond measure. She constantly uses her platform to inform people about the importance of zoning and how it impacts everyday lives especially in her city. Her impact can be found on her website. https://www.drbtsurbanplanning.com/about
View 2019 Class!
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