Chris Ryer, Director

Chris returned to the Department of Planning as the Director in February 2019 after serving for over a decade as Executive Director of the Southeast Community Development Corporation (CDC), an  organization dedicated to the vitality and growth of neighborhoods in Southeast Baltimore. Prior to joining the Southeast CDC, he worked for the Department of Planning, including 10 years as Community Planner and four years as Deputy Director. 

Stephanie Smith, Assistant Director

Stephanie M. Smith is the Assistant Director and a member of the Maryland Bar. She has spent the bulk of her professional career working to advance environmental health and justice through federal clean air policy. As a former congressional staffer, Stephanie worked on affordable housing and voting rights issues. Most recently, Stephanie served in the executive leadership of a professional association focused on higher education and public health. Stephanie is an active member of the Greater Baltimore Urban League and Greater Baltimore Leadership Association. Stephanie is a proud graduate of Hampton University (BA), University of Delaware (MA), and Howard University School of Law (JD). Stephanie is married to Calvin, a mother to Parker, and a friend of Baltimore. She resides with her family in Baltimore City's Middle East community.

Nichole Stewart, Assistant Director

Nichole Stewart is a new Assistant Director for the Department of Planning. Previously, Nichole served as the Executive Director of Facilities for the Baltimore City Public Schools System where she regularly worked with DoP’s capital team. In that role she managed City Schools' real estate office and analyzed enrollment and city demographic and housing trends to inform school closures, rezoning decisions, and the prioritization of long-term facility capital needs. Nichole is experienced in building staff capacity, facilitating department organization, and collaborative cross-functional decision-making. Her interests are in urban planning, housing, intersecting neighborhood data and indicators, and spatial analysis techniques using GIS. Nichole received her BS in Economics from Morgan State University, MCP in Community Planning from the University of Maryland and a PhD in Public Policy from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Administration

Equity, Engagement, and Communications

Community Planning and Revitalization

Land Use and Urban Design

Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation

Policy and Data Analysis

Office of Sustainability

Food Policy and Planning

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 Administration

Jaime Cramer, Financial Officer

Jaime Cramer brings over 18 years of professional experience in financial management, with a notable 12-year tenure with the City of Baltimore. She has extensive experience in maximizing financial performance, enhancing efficiency and ensuring regulatory compliance. Throughout her career, Ms. Cramer has developed a robust background in government administration, with an emphasis on high standards in financial management, accounting, and fiscal operations. As the Chief Financial Officer at the Department of Planning she oversees all financial functions including budgeting, financial reporting, comliance, and strategic planning.  

Da'Vontre Miller, Office Manager

Da'Vontre Miller is a Baltimore native, born and raised in the heart of the city. A proud graduate of Baltimore City College High School, Da'Vontre brings a unique blend of skills to his role in the Office of Planning, with a strong background in entertainment and media. His passion for organization and efficiency shines through as he helps executives stay on track, ensuring that day-to-day operations run smoothly. Da'Vontre excels at creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that streamline workflows while maintaining a high standard of professionalism. Above all, he is committed to ensuring that the office environment remains one of dignity and respect, fostering a space where residents feel comfortable, heard, and valued.

Eli Pousson, Senior Data Lead

Eli Pousson (he/him) holds a background in community planning, public health, and historic preservation. Prior to joining the Department in June 2022, Eli worked as a planner with the Neighborhood Design Center and completed a Masters of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health where he focused on the health effects of vacant housing and worked with Bikemore and the Department of Transportation on a "play streets" pilot program. Outside of work, Eli is a historian, cargo bike riding family cyclist, city schools parent, and a Harwood neighborhood resident. He is often seen picking up litter and enthusiastically encouraging friends and neighbors to use 311.

 

 

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Equity, Engagement, and Communications

 

Alex Bauer, Equity and Engagement Planner

Alex Bauer received his bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Connecticut and Master’s in Organizational Leadership and Learning from George Washington University. Prior to his role as the Equity and Engagement Planner, he spent six years providing both capacity building and evaluation technical assistance to federal, Tribal, state, and local human services agencies to strengthen program operations, implementation, and outcomes. In this work, he led efforts to collaborate with program staff and those served by the programs to identify problems, develop innovative solutions, pilot them, and scale them. He is a skilled facilitator, coach, and trainer who emphasizes people-first approaches that are centered in empathy. While he moved to Baltimore in 2021, he has been a life-long Ravens fan.

                                              Jasmine Powell, Communications Specialist

Jasmine Powell was raised in Fort Washington, Maryland and moved to Baltimore City in 2017. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Clayton State University and Master’s in Instructional Design and Technology from Walden University. Prior to her role as Communications Specialist, she spent almost twenty years as a Technical Writer for various government contractors and corporate entities. In her spare time she enjoys playing The Sims and reading comics.

 

Brooke Gibson, HBCU Communications Fellow

Brooke Gibson is a Baltimore native, storyteller and Communications and Community Engagement Fellow with the Baltimore City Department of Planning through Baltimore Corps. A graduate of Morgan State University with a bachelor's degree in Multiplatform Productions, she is pursuing a master's in Sociology to bridge her academic interests with her Journalism career. With an experience in news reporting, on-air and production, her work centers around bringing authenticity and meaningful conversations to the forefront of culture, community and mental health advocacy..

 

 

 

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Community Planning and Revitalization

Chad Hayes, Director of Community Planning and Revitalization

Chad Hayes earned a Bachelor's degree from Towson University and a Master's degree in City and Regional Planning from Morgan State University. Chad found his calling in 2004 when he joined Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, an amazing non-profit community development organization in Northeast Baltimore. After 10 wonderful years in Belair-Edison, Chad jumped at the opportunity to bring his passion for urban planning and community development to the Department of Planning where he proudly served the 46 neighborhoods in the western planning district prior to being promoted to the Director of the Community Planning & Revitalization Division.

Imani Jasper, Eastern District Planner/Planner Supervisor

Imani Jasper is the Eastern District Planner and Planner Supervisor, returning home to Maryland after working on property blight in Memphis, TN for three years.  She initially gained an interest in Urban Planning after an activity in which she was challenged to change the layout of a fictional city to help alleviate some of the problems facing the city. That activity continues to influence and shape her problem-solving based approach to city planning. In her studies, she explored her interest in adaptive re-use, resiliency, and community engagement. Imani graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Studies in 2016 and her Master’s in City and Regional Planning from Cornell University in 2018.  

 Jazmin Kimble, Southern District Planner

Jazmin Kimble is the Southern District Planner in the Community Planning & Revitalization Division. Jazmin earned a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and a Master of Science in Geodesign from Philadelphia University, now Thomas Jefferson University. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Urban & Regional Planning at Georgetown University, where she plans to graduate by 2023. Prior to joining DOP, Jazmin worked in the private sector specializing in Multimodal Transportation Planning, Urban Design, Environmental Planning, Geospatial Analysis, and Community Engagement. She is passionate about community empowerment and identifying solutions to design and planning challenges to create equitable and sustainable communities, while maintaining its culture and history. In her spare time, Jazmin enjoys traveling and exploring spaces, baking, horseback riding, and the arts.

Kyle Leggs, Southwest District Planner & Planner Supervisor

Kyle Leggs is the Planner for Southwest who has worked for the Department of Planning for 25 years. Throughout his tenure, he has managed the capital budgeting process, represented the department in the areas of Transportation Planning, Emergency Preparedness, and has worked extensively over the years as a District Planner for Southwest Baltimore. He is also a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and is the Director of Planning and Design to build the National Desert Storm War Memorial in Washington, D.C. He holds an M.S. in Transportation from Morgan State University, a B.S. in Social Science from Coppin State University, and is a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

 

Patrick McMahon, INSPIRE Planner

Patrick McMahon's is one of the INSPIRE Planners in the Department of Planning, working to develop and implement community plans around new and redeveloped public schools around Baltimore. He has twenty-five years of community and transportation planning experience in the public, non-profit, academic, and consulting sectors. Patrick earned a bachelor's degree in political science from The Colorado College and a master's degree in city & regional planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before moving to Baltimore.  

Marie McSweeney Anderson, Northern District Planner

Marie McSweeney Anderson (she/they) is the Northern District Planner for over 50 neighborhoods in the north central region of Baltimore City. Joining the Planning Department in 2022, Marie has 10+ years of experience in the community development field working with and for neighborhoods in the Govans/York Road area on projects related to building civic capacity, strengthening commercial corridors, enhancing education and youth development, and increasing affordable access to fresh produce as part of Loyola University Maryland's place-based York Road Initiative. Marie is a double graduate of Loyola University Maryland with a multidisciplinary liberal arts background in Political Science, Economics, Sociology, and History. Marie’s planning practice is through the lens of asset-based community development and a commitment to racial equity. Marie represents the Department of Planning on the boards of Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO) and Central Baltimore Partnership.                                   

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Kari Nye, Northwest District Planner

Kari Nye works with City agencies, community members, neighborhood organizations, and nonprofits to achieve equitable planning and investment for neighborhoods in the Northwest District. Her role also comprises staffing the Pimlico Community Development Authority to facilitate community input on local impact aid in the Pimlico area. Prior to joining DOP, Kari worked in neighboring counties on planning and policy related to affordable housing, transit-oriented development, and small business development. She is a long-time Waverly resident and first became interested in city planning through serving on her neighborhood association. Kari earned her bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley and her master’s at the University of Maryland. On weekends, find her exploring Cylburn Arboretum, playing tennis at Druid Hill Park, or teaching sewing classes at the Station North Tool Library.

 Jaffa Batya Weiss, INSPIRE Planner

Jaffa graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Environmental Studies from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. She went on to get a Master of Public Administration from Clark University and a Master in City and Regional Planning from Morgan State University. Prior to joining the CPR team, Jaffa worked as a Project Manager for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. She got her start in Baltimore over a decade ago as an AmeriCorps member. Jaffa lives in Baltimore City with her family and in her free time enjoys exploring new cities, improving her cooking skills, and has a dream of producing an urbanist podcast one day.

 

Nick Chupein, Central Southwest Partnership District/Greenway Trails Planner

Nick Chupein (he/him) is the community planner for a dynamic mix of seven historic neighborhoods just west of downtown working to encourage equitable, sustainable, and people-focused growth and revitalization. He also serves as the city’s Greenway Trails Planner, collaborating with sister agencies and stakeholders to implement the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network. Prior to becoming a city planner, Nick worked in the construction management and real estate fields in Chicago and Baltimore, including owning and operating a small construction company. Nick holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from Morgan State University. He makes music in his free time and is a proud resident of the Arcadia neighborhood where he lives with his wife, two children, and Australian cattle dog.   

Tarek Bolden, Western District Planner

Tarek Bolden is the Western District Planner, joining the Department of Planning with over 20 years of professional experience in urban planning and zoning. Prior to joining DOP Tarek has worked as a city planner in urban communities in New York City, Washington D.C. and Virginia. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), and has earned a Master’s of City and Regional Planning degree from Pratt Institute in 2004. Tarek enjoys volunteering and community service through coaching youth sports.

 

        Danielle Bilot, Greening Coordinator/Landscape Planner

Danielle Bilot is the Greening Coordinator for the City of Baltimore. She grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and recently moved to Baltimore. Danielle graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with her Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture and received her Master’s in Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon. Prior to joining the Department of Planning, Danielle worked at design firms, academic institutions, and managed marketing campaigns and events. She brings over a decade of experience in landscape architecture and planning, with expertise in urban biodiversity strategies and innovations in native pollinator habitat. She has presented her research and strategies to a range of audiences, including AIA, ASLA, AICP, TEDx, TED, and many more. In this role with the City of Baltimore, Danielle focuses on planning, partnerships, programming, and events to support a range of greening and activating spaces initiatives in the city.

 

  Kyra McDonnell, Community Development Grant Specialist

Kyra McDonnell is the Community Development Grant Specialist for Northwest Baltimore. Kyra graduated from Loyola University Maryland, where she received a degree in English & Communications. She previously worked for Loyola’s “York Road Initiative”, the university’s place-based community development program. In this role, she worked alongside North Baltimore residents, managing food access programs and building civic capacity along the York Road corridor. Kyra works through asset-based community development and takes a hands-on approach supporting organizations across the City execute capital projects & programs in Northwest Baltimore. Outside of the office, Kyra spends her time exploring Baltimore’s parks, biking across the City, supporting local businesses and enjoying live music.

 

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Land Use & Urban Design

Eric Tiso, Division Chief

Eric Tiso joined the Department of Planning in 2000 and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), the American Planning Association’s Professional Institute.  He has earned a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from Salisbury State University.  Eric enjoys community service through a variety of organizations and outdoor recreation.

Ivor Quashie, City Planner

Ivor graduated City College of New York with a BA in Political Science. He worked with many NGOs in New York City to aid businesses with accessing city and state revitalization programs and provided community support. He works as a planner in the city of Baltimore in the Land Use and Urban Design Division which touches every corner of the city through legislation, design, and development.

Brandon Kanoy, Site Plan Review Committee Chair

Brandon Kanoy graduated with a B.A. in Political Science with an International Studies minor from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Brandon worked in construction and political consulting to pay for college before becoming a Transportation Planner and City Planner in the Midwest. He joined the Department of Planning in 2024. With real-world experience in how to get things done, Brandon brings practical planning experience to the Land Use and Urban Design division and is well-versed in coordinating the needs of various project stakeholders with the requirements of Baltimore.

Austin Davis, Subdivision Manager

Austin C. Davis is a dedicated urban planner with a longstanding commitment to public service in Baltimore. Originally hired by the City in 2017, Austin has spent nearly a decade contributing to a wide range of planning, GIS, and policy initiatives that support equitable and sustainable development across the city. Austin holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Planning from Towson University and a Master's in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where his work focused on mobility, computer science, and displacement risk. Outside of work, Austin is an avid cyclist who believes in active transportation, safe street design, and the joy of navigating cities by two wheels.

Justin Walker, BMZA Liaison

Justin Walker serves as a land use planner, acting as the liaison to the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals (BMZA) within the Department of Planning. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Towson University and a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from Morgan State University. Before joining the department in 2024, Justin spent five years serving Baltimore City as an Emergency Medical Technician. Justin is passionate about creating inclusive communities and fostering equitable and sustainable development. 

Urban Design Team

Caitlin Audette, Design Team Lead and Downtown Planner

Caitlin is a Design Planner in the Land Use and Urban Design Division, as well as the Downtown Planner. Caitlin transitioned to this position from the Historic Preservation Division, where she acted as a Preservation Planner serving CHAP. Before joining the city in 2014, Caitlin worked in the private sector in Washington, D.C. as a preservationist and historic tax credit consultant. In that role, she explored many unique places, including leading an architectural survey of the U.S. Capitol Building. Caitlin earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. A resident of the Lake Evesham neighborhood, Caitlin is an avid reader who enjoys exploring the city with her family.

Antoine Heath, Design Planner

Antoine Heath is a Design Planner in the Land Use and Urban Design Division. Before joining the city in 2024, Antoine worked as an Architectural Designer in Washington, D.C., and as a Planner at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in Prince George's County. Antoine earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art and a Master of Architecture from Morgan State University. Antoine enjoys woodworking, watching sports, and learning about space in his spare time.

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Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) 

Lauren Schiszik, Division Chief/Director

Lauren is the supervisor in the CHAP division, and also serves as the preservation planner for Baltimore City Landmarks and city-owned properties. Before joining the department in 2011, she was a public archaeologist and cultural resources planner in Anne Arundel County. Lauren is also an adjunct faculty member in the Historic Preservation graduate program at Goucher College and serves on the Governor’s Commission on Maryland Military Monuments, and previously taught in Stevenson University's Public History undergraduate program. She earned a Masters of Historic Preservation degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a degree in Sociology/Anthropology from Earlham College. Outside of work, you can find this city resident in her garden or kitchen, outdoors on a trail, or at an event in Baltimore's rich arts scene.  

Tyriq Charleus, Historic Preservation Planner

Tyriq Charleus serves as a Historic Preservation Planner with the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation, where he brings a deep passion for architecture, community, and cultural heritage. A proud alumnus of Morgan State University, Tyriq holds both a Bachelor of Science in Architecture & Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture. Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, Tyriq developed a strong connection to Baltimore during his academic journey at Morgan State. His experiences in the city inspired a commitment to serve as a catalyst for positive change within its communities.

Tyriq began his professional career in historic preservation at the age of 24 and has since made Baltimore his home—becoming a two-time homeowner and an advocate for neighborhood revitalization. He has also returned to Morgan State as an adjunct professor, where he mentors the next generation of architects and designers. Driven by curiosity and a desire to preserve the stories embedded in the built environment, Tyriq sees historic preservation as a daily opportunity to uncover, celebrate, and protect untold narratives. His long-term goal is to be a steward of knowledge and inspiration for future generations.

Outside of his professional work, Tyriq enjoys giving back through community service, spending time with friends, and staying active through sports.

Rachel Donaldson, Historic Preservation Planner

Rachel is a preservation planner with a background in US cultural and labor history. She earned a Masters of Historic Preservation from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an MA and PhD in History from Vanderbilt University. Before joining CHAP in 2024, she was the Curator of Collections and Exhibitions at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, before which she was an Associate Professor of History at the College of Charleston, where she created and directed the Public History MA concentration. She currently teaches in the Georgetown Bachelor of Liberal Arts program at Patuxent Correctional Institution. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, skipping rocks, and exploring the city.

Eddie Leon, Historic Preservation Planner

Eddie has been with CHAP since 1994 and has functioned in every area of the Preservation Division for the past 25 years.   Originally, born in Lima, Peru,  he came and settled in the Greater Baltimore area since he was 2 years old.  He is primarily responsible for the oversight and permits review for more than half the designated properties and districts in the City.   Eddie is a  graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park with a degree in Architectural History.  He's worked on Underwater Archaeological projects in Israel and is currently on the board of directors for the Baltimore Courthouse and Law Museum Foundation.  Eddie is also on the board and a founding member of the Baltimore City Historical Society.   He enjoys traveling with his family and is an avid fan of the Science Fiction genre. 

Anthony Stewart, Historic Preservation and Central District Planner

Anthony Stewart is a Preservation Planner for the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation. Prior to joining CHAP, Anthony worked as a project designer for several local architecture firms specializing in residential housing, senior living, and commercial buildings. Anthony graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Graphic Communications with a concentration in Architecture from North Carolina A&T. He then went on to get his Master of Architecture degree from Morgan State University. In Anthony’s spare time he enjoys playing video games and spending time with his wife and their puppy.

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Policy & Data Analysis

Sara Paranilam, Division Chief

Sara Paranilam has more than twenty years of community and comprehensive planning experience.  As a veteran within the Planning Department, she has developed many neighborhood master plans and launched new planning efforts.  She oversees the City's billion-dollar Capital Improvement Program and the Department’s data and mapping services.

 

Shakia Word, CIP Analyst

Shakia, borm and raised in Brooklyn, NY, has called Maryland home for over a decade. She brings more than 12 years of experience in capital budget management, having served with the Maryland Department of Budget and Management most of her career. In her role, she oversaw projects with multi-hundred-million-dollar budgets.

Outside of her professional life, Shakia is an avid home cook with a passion for experimenting with new recipes and exploring restaurants. She also enjoys traveling to experience various cultures and cuisines. At home, she treasures her role as a pet mom to her lovable cat, Bellatrix.

 

Nelson Vasconselos, CIP Analyst

 

Nick O'Gara, GIS Analyst

Nick joined the Department of Planning as a GIS analyst in 2022. He studied applied linguistics and Spanish at Portland State University and geographic information systems technology at the University of Arizona. He's had formative experiences in music, teaching, editing, writing, and environmental consulting. When he's not doing maps or data as a member of the Policy and Data Analysis team, he might be thinking about the ways people speak or exploring the city on foot or bike.

 

Jamie Williams, GIS Supervisor

Jamie manages web, IT, and data/mapping support for the Department as well as other City agencies.  She joined the Department of Planning in 2003 after graduating from UMBC.  In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, traveling, and spending time with her family.

 

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Office of Sustainability

Ava Richardson, Director

Ava Richardson is the new Sustainability Manager for the Baltimore Office of Sustainability. In this role she will lead the implementation of the 2019 Baltimore Sustainability Plan, support the Commission on Sustainability and convene stakeholders across the city to advance sustainability initiatives. Besides her previous work with the Office as a technical adviser for the Baltimore Food Matters program, Ava has over a decade of experience leading public health initiatives, advocating for environmental policies, and managing programs designed to address social inequities. Most recently she served as a project director at the Baltimore City Health Department, leading efforts to address decades of trauma in West Baltimore. Ava holds a BS in Biology from Frostburg State University, an MPH from Morgan State University, and is currently obtaining a DrPH from The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

 

 Amy Gilder-Busatti, Sustainability Manager

Amy Gilder-Busatti has been with the Office of Sustainability since 2010. In her role as Sustainability Manager, she provides leadership and coordination to advance the implementation of the Baltimore Sustainability Plan. Amy also leads the development of the Annual Sustainability Report and the Office’s ongoing efforts to track and report progress on plan implementation, outreach, and sustainability metrics. During her time with the City, she has also overseen forest conservation and Critical Area development reviews and led the creation of the Baltimore Green Network Plan and Baltimore City Landscape Manual. She holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from Ball State University and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from Morgan State University. 

 Rachel Whiteheart, Environmental Planner - Forest Conservation

Rachel Whiteheart is an Environmental Planner with the Office of Sustainability overseeing forest conservation. Prior to joining the City, Rachel worked as an environmental engineer for several local consulting firms. As a licensed Professional Engineer, Rachel has developed designs for green infrastructure and helped restore natural ecological systems across the Baltimore region and beyond. Rachel holds a Master of Community Planning degree from the University of Maryland and a BS in Environmental Engineering from Cornell University. She currently lives in Remington and enjoys biking the streets of Baltimore, hiking, reading, and climbing on rocks.

Valerie Rupp, Climate and Resilience Program Manager 

Valerie provides support for our office's growing climate and resilience portfolio. She has prior experience as a public lands professional and  is skilled in partnership building, nonprofit management, communications, planning, and project management. Before joining our office, she  served as the Executive Director of the Partnership of the National Trails System. Prior to that, she worked with the Parks & People Foundation in Baltimore for eight years, led the fundraising and external relations as Development Director for the Women’s Law Center of  Maryland, and worked in various positions with the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Valerie holds Bachelor’s degrees in history and communications from Shippensburg University and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Baltimore. She hails from Northeastern PA, and currently lives in Ednor Gardens where she feeds the feral cats on the block and makes sure all the street trees are properly mulched.

Grace Hansen, Coastal Planner 

Grace Hansen is the Coastal Planner for the City. Her work focuses on managing development as it relates to Floodplain Management and the Critical Area Management Program. She also assists in updating the City’s Disaster Preparedness and Planning Project (DP3) and Nuisance Flood Plan. Grace has experience in the environmental field at the state, regional, and international levels. She previously served as a coastal planner in Coastal Virginia where she collaborated with seventeen local governments across Hampton Roads to strengthen the region’s ability to adapt to recurrent flooding issues. She also worked for The Nature Foundation SXM in St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles where she led the country’s first plastic brand audit and has assisted in the upkeep and maintenance of coral fragments in the Man of War Shoal Marine Park through SCUBA diving. Grace holds a Master of Arts degree in International Environmental Policy with a specialization in ocean and coastal resource management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and a BA in environmental studies from Rollins College. She is a former collegiate swimmer and spends her weekends as an Ocean Rescue Lieutenant in Sea Colony, Delaware. She is also an avid athlete in the sport of USLA surf racing where she competes at the local, regional, and national levels. Grace enjoys all things related to water and being outdoors. Hailing from Timonium, Maryland, she is excited to be back in the area.

Joanna Birch, Floodplain Manager 

Joanna Birch is the City's Floodplain Manager. Joanna was born and raised in Maryland. She's originally from St. Mary's County and grew up surrounded by water. She has more than a decade of experience working in data-driven mapping and environmental compliance in both the public and private sectors. Joanna holds a BS in Environmental Science from the University of Maryland, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Goucher College, and a Master's Certificate in Geographic Information Science from Penn State University. Her interests and hobbies include gardening and houseplants, spending time on the water, doing anything crafty, and making maps.

  

Ebone Smith, Sustainability Planner

Ebone Smith is a recent masters graduate from the University of Oklahoma. As part of her masters thesis research, she studied how extreme heat influences historically marginalized communities living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Prior to her masters degree, Ebone attended Virginia Tech as a dual-degree student majoring in Meteorology and Communication Studies. In addition to her studies, she has served as a teacher for elementary school students, a Climate Justice Fellow for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and a researcher of various weather and climate phenomenon. In her free time, Ebone enjoys hiking, playing with her dog, and exploring new food places. 

Erica Pinket, Climate and Resilience Planner

Erica Pinket, MPS-EDM is a community advocate who lends her subject matter expertise in support of disaster preparedness with clean and renewable solutions. Soon to be published in the Journal of Emergency Management, Erica has authored original strategies for active shooter preparedness for the disability community as well as a multitude of disaster plans implemented across the country. As a multi-disciplinary professional, Erica plans on using her public policy experience to help Baltimore achieve our carbon emission reduction goals as the Climate and Resilience Planner with the Sustainability division.

Erica, a new resident of the city, enjoys the historic architecture and culture of Baltimore and spends her off time absorbing the magnificent views, music, and food that the city has to offer. As an avid lover of the arts, you might find her at your favorite community theater, go-go, or historical society event.  

Natalie Cohen, Reimagine Middle Branch Program Manager

Natalie Cohen joined the Baltimore City Office of Sustainability in 2024. In her current role as the Reimagine Middle Branch Manager, she serves the South Baltimore Gateway community by implementing the Reimagine Middle Branch (RMB) Plan.  Prior to her work with the City, Natalie served as Manager of Community Conservation for the National Wildlife Federation where she focused on the creation and stewardship of urban greenspaces throughout the Mid-Atlantic that provide equitable access to nature, serve as wildlife habitat, and boost climate resiliency.  Natalie graduated from the Salisbury University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Biology.  In her free time, you can find Natalie in the garden, thrifting, or lounging in Baltimore’s lovely parks.

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Food Policy and Planning

Taylor LaFave, Chief of Food Policy and Planning | Food Policy Director

Taylor LaFave (he/him/his) is the Chief of Food Policy and Planning and Food Policy Director for the City of Baltimore. He leads a collaborative team that works to build an equitable and resilient urban food system by addressing health, economic, and environmental disparities in neighborhoods that have high levels of food insecurity.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taylor helped manage the City’s Emergency Food Response by overseeing contracts totaling over $38 million for produce box distribution. He also launched an innovative home delivered grocery box program in partnership with Amazon, the Maryland Food Bank, and the Baltimore Convention Center. Currently, he manages the Food Policy and Planning Division’s $11 million American Rescue Plan Act proposal, "Improving Nutritional Security, Food Access, and Food Equity In Baltimore City During and After COVID-19.” He is also the co-chair of the United States Conference of Mayor’s Food Policy Task Force, and represents the City of Baltimore on the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact’s Steering Committee.

Taylor earned his Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from the University of Michigan. He enjoys working in his neighborhood garden, exploring Baltimore’s history, watching football, swimming, baking pies, and eating good food, especially ice cream. Taylor lives in Baltimore City’s Radnor-Winston neighborhood with his wife and baby boy.

 

Lindsay Adams, Deputy Director of Food Policy 

Lindsay Adams earned her Master’s in Health Sciences with a focus on Food Systems, Agriculture, and Sustainability and received a certification in Food Systems, the Environment, and Public health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2019. Before this, she spent 10 years in Colorado where she received her BA in Public Health from the University of Colorado and worked as a community gardener, nutrition educator, and managed two research teams focused on improving food systems in rural and underserved communities. Most recently, she spent two years working as the Program Coordinator for the Accountable Health Communities project at the Baltimore City Health Department. In this role, she served as a project manager, working to improve health outcomes by addressing social determinants of health in clinical settings, and managed BCHD’s public resource directory, CHARMcare. 

 

Yewande Akinkuowo, Food Access Planner  

Yewande "Wande" Akinkuowo is a lover of all things food and public health. Wande holds a bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s degree in Health Equity from the University of Maryland College Park. Her decision to study Nutrition came from the desire to learn how to be the healthiest version of herself. Wande has three years of experience in nutrition education, working for university extension programs in both Rhode Island and Maryland. In addition Wande has three years of experience in grants, contracts, and budget development from her last role as a Grants and Finance Project Manager at Children's National Research Institute. In her spare time you can probably catch Wande watching Guys Grocery Games or Hell's Kitchen, her hobbies include creating recipes, food photography, content creation and crossfit.

 

Najahla Olumiji, Food Systems Planner