Board Nominees

Paul Bell RPP, MCIP

As the Places & Community Lead at Narratives Inc., Paul guides a team that works alongside communities to honour the deep connections between people, culture, and the land. His early work as a planner explored the connections between creativity and place, which sparked a career-long focus on how a place’s unique story can serve as the blueprint for its future. Paul’s work seeks to go beyond the facts and figures, connecting the stories and lived experiences of people in a place to drive community planning.

Paul brings over eight years of planning experience in both the public and private sectors, ranging from municipal planning reviews to Indigenous territorial planning. He has served on the Manitoba Professional Planners Institute Board and has spent the past three years as a member on the Canadian Institute of Planners Board of Directors.

At the heart of Paul’s work is the notion that through dialogue and collaboration, people can better connect with the places they call home, which in turn leads to a better planning process. By sharing our stories of place, people become more connected to each other, to their community, and provides everyone the agency to compose a future that is not only practical, but also more hopeful and connected.

Expression of Interest

I have served on the CIP Board for the past three years and am excited to put my name forward to serve a second three-year term. During this time, I have had the privilege to work alongside amazing colleagues, navigating the many challenges and opportunities facing our profession and the CIP. I am proud of the work we have accomplished, such as the Reconciliation Action Plan, our strategic visioning, and our advocacy with policymakers on Parliament Hill. As we enter a new and exciting phase of the CIP, I will continue to work towards fostering constructive dialogue on the complex issues facing Canadian communities today.

Our profession continues to rapidly change, from emerging technologies like AI to complex social and political environments. I approach this evolving landscape with a sense of passion and determination, balanced by an awareness of the value of thoughtful progress and of the wisdom and experience of those around me. Working across the private and public sectors and in supporting Indigenous territorial planning initiatives, I have learned to make space for many ways of knowing and the importance of creating bridges between diverse views and opinions.

Thank you for your consideration of my nomination to the Board of Directors. I am eager to continue to serve our profession and bring my skills in leadership and planning to the CIP for three more years.

Jeff Pratte RPP, MCIP

Jeff Pratte RPP, MCIP lives and works in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is partner at Landmark Planning & Design. Having worked in the field of planning for 15 years, Jeff has a wealth of experience preparing and navigating policy and regulatory documents as well as coordinating community planning, public engagement and land development projects. He served on Council of the Manitoba Professional Planners Institute (MPPI) from 2022 to 2026, serving as President from 2024-2026. In this time Jeff demonstrated strong leadership skills and built connections between MPPI and segments of the planning field that had historically had lower levels of engagement, including the development industry.

In his planning practice, Jeff works closely with a diverse range of clients including municipalities, planning districts, Indigenous communities, private landowners and major developers. He also leads multi-disciplinary teams on a diverse range of projects.

Drawing off his diverse experience, Jeff has crafted visioning and regulatory documents for municipal clients and served on multi-disciplinary teams completing complex district planning and land development projects. He authored Manitoba’s first Drought Plan for the Pembina Valley Water Co-Op as part of a multi-disciplinary study team and lead a City-wide public engagement process for the City of Winnipeg’s Residential Food Waste Collection Pilot. Jeff shares strong communication and leadership skills, a spirit of collaboration, and a broad knowledge of urban planning and development issues. He emphasizes an approach which looks beyond project deliverables and places a strong emphasis on plan implementation.

Expression of Interest

I hereby submit my interest in serving on the Canadian Institute of Planners Board of Directors for the 2026-2029 term. Over the last two years I served as President of the Manitoba Professional Planners Institute (MPPI), through which I have been part of the Planning Alliance Forum (PAF). Through this experience, I have developed a strong desire to continue being able to help lead, influence, and advocate for the planning profession in Canada.

Drawing off my extensive experience as a practicing RPP, and time spent on Council and serving as the president of MPPI, I have familiarity with CIP’s By-laws as well as insights and experience that can help the Board of Directors as we work with the Strategic Plan, provide stewardship of resources, monitor risk, and ensure adequate governance systems are in place.

The CIP’s vision of creating inclusive and vibrant communities, respectfully connected to the natural world, for the well-being of current and future generations algins with my professional praxis. Furthermore, the mission of supporting members, adding value to the larger Canadian planning ecosystem, and advocating on priority issues for greater collective impact aligns with my previous as president of MPPI.

In my roles as MPPI President, and as a practicing planner I have placed a strong emphasis on collaboration within and across sectors and strengthening the capacity of the field of planning. Building off the foundation of leading a PTIA Council, I welcome the opportunity to serve CIP’s membership across Canada from all membership categories.

Janice Barry PhD, RPP, MCIP

Janice Barry (PhD, RPP, MCIP) has been working in the field of urban and regional planning for over 25 years. She began her career as a protected area planner with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources before earning her PhD in Community and Regional Planning from UBC. She has since built a career in planning research and teaching, and held positions at the University of Manitoba, University of Sheffield, and University of Glasgow before joining the University of Waterloo.

Her work is driven by a concern for how planning decisions are made and the laws, policies, procedures, and professional norms that facilitate or impede meaningful engagement with diverse peoples and perspectives. Much of her research focuses on the recognition of Indigenous rights and title within the planning profession. She has supported multiple First Nations planning processes and is interested in how Indigenous-led planning advances Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. Janice also writes about planning theory, participatory planning and planning pedagogy, including professional ethics and the development of planning competencies.

She is an active member of the planning profession, having previously served on program accreditation teams for the Professional Standards Board and on OPPI’s Indigenous Planning Perspectives Committee. She has also just completed a three-year term as the academic representation on CIP’s Board of Directors.

Expression of Interest

Three years ago, when I first stood for election, I identified supporting CIP’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Roadmap and commitment to reconciliation as my primary motivations for serving on the Board. These continue to be key priorities for me, and I have been proud to serve on a Board that oversaw the preparation of CIP’s first Reconciliation Action Plan and has taken steps to diversify to complement of talented planners from coast-to-coast-to-coast who sit on committees and around the board table. I believe in the power of representation, but only if it backed by structural changes to support equity, diversity, inclusion and reconciliation. I would be excited and committed to continuing to do this work.

Members will have likely noticed that CIP has evolved over the last three years, with increased focus now being placed on advocacy and government relations. This focus creates an opportunity to continue to close the gap between planning practice and research, as we work to ensure CIP’s policy positions are evidence-based. During my term as a Board member, I served as the liaison to the Association of Canadian University Planning Programs (ACUPP), and I am genuinely excited by the conversations that are now being had about how we can build relationships between CIP, student and faculty researchers. If elected for a second term, I would be honoured to help bring some of these ideas to fruition as CIP continues to work on its five action issues.

Kristin Agnello RPP, MCIP, RHFAC

Dr. Kristin Agnello, DSocSci, RPP, MCIP, RHFAC is an interdisciplinary scholar-practitioner based in Victoria, BC. She has a professional and academic background in planning, social science, international development, architecture, and urban design. A former Vanier Scholar, her doctoral research focused on the intersection between equity, policy, and governance and was awarded the RRU Chancellor’s Medal for academic excellence.

Kristin is the Founder and Director of Plassurban Consulting Inc., an intersectional research and planning consultancy focused on addressing inequity and vulnerability in government initiatives. Kristin is a Registered Professional Planner and Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, a Rick Hansen-certified accessibility professional, and a past member of the Canadian Evaluation Society and the National Association of Parliamentarians. Kristin served as the strategic consulting lead of the PIBC Peer Learning Network, Vice President (Canada) of the Commonwealth Association of Planners, inaugural Chair of the Commonwealth Women in Planning Network, and is a TeachSDG Ambassador and equity specialist with the UK Design Council.

Kristin has advocated for the consideration of intersectional women’s equity in human settlements at two UN Commissions on the Status of Women and three World Design Summits and is widely recognized for her work toward advancing equity in the built environment. In 2018, Kristin was named one of Canadas Top 25 Women of Influence and, in 2021, was inducted into the Government of Canada’s Women of Impact in Human Rights Gallery.

Expression of Interest

Across Canada, planners are being asked to balance increasingly complex issues such as housing affordability, climate adaptation, infrastructure demands, and social inequities within an environment of political and economic uncertainty. This shifting legislative and policy landscape calls for strong leadership that recognizes both the context-specific complexity of planning work and the broader public value of the profession.

I view membership on the CIP Board of Directors as an opportunity to contribute both strategic insight and an equity-based perspective on the implications of planning decisions on a diversity of people. My experience in professional governance, international planning networking and advocacy, and planning research and education has convinced me that planners need timely access to credible evidence, practical tools, and peer knowledge that can be readily translated into practice. I am particularly interested in supporting the continued implementation of CIP’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Roadmap and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in ways that are measurable, practical, and embedded in professional practice. I also see an important role for the Institute in strengthening planning education and improving access to research-based evidence so practitioners can respond confidently to emerging challenges.

Nationally, I believe CIP can significantly contribute to strategic initiatives that support planners working through environmental, social, infrastructure, housing, and economic pressures in communities of all sizes. Internationally, I welcome the opportunity to help position Canada as a leader in innovative planning and inclusive practice, demonstrating how thoughtful policy, strong professional standards, and equity-centred approaches can shape resilient communities.

Ali Ahmed

Ali Ahmed is a Land Use Planner at Davies Howe LLP practicing in municipal planning, land development, and zoning. He supports planning and development matters through policy analysis, regulatory research, and preparation of materials for Ontario Land Tribunal proceedings, while also supervising and mentoring co-op planning students.

Ali brings experience across private practice, municipal government, academia, and professional associations. He has previously worked as a Planning Placement Student with the City of Toronto, a Research Assistant at the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University, and as an Intern with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI).

He holds a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), graduating with Distinction, and is the recipient of multiple academic and leadership awards.

Ali is a Candidate Member of OPPI and is working toward his Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation. He currently serves on OPPI’s Career Path Programming Committee and is a Member-at-Large with the School of Urban and Regional Planning Alumni Association at TMU (SURPA). His interests include strengthening pathways into the planning profession, mentorship, and improving access and engagement for early-career planners.

Expression of Interest

I am interested in serving as a Director-at-Large to contribute a practical, early-career perspective on how access to the planning profession is experienced across Canada.

Through my experience in private practice, municipal government, academia, and professional associations, I have seen how challenges related to mentorship, clarity of professional pathways, and entry into the profession can create barriers to participation. These are not only professional development issues, but also equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility considerations that influence who is able to enter and remain in the profession.

While I do not position myself as a traditional EDIA specialist, I bring a grounded understanding of how these challenges appear at the front end of the planning pipeline. I believe this perspective is important in supporting CIP’s commitment to building a more inclusive and accessible profession.

As a Director, I would aim to contribute to CIP’s strategic priorities by supporting efforts that strengthen professional standards, improve knowledge exchange, and enhance pathways into the profession. I am particularly interested in advancing mentorship, improving clarity around professional designation, and ensuring early-career planners are better supported and connected nationally.

I am committed to approaching this role with professionalism, accountability, and a focus on serving the long-term interests of the planning profession across Canada.

Lesley Cabott RPP, FCIP ICD D

Lesley was elected as a director at large in 2023 and currently has the privilege of serving as President of the Canadian Institute of Planners. She has worked in our profession for over 30 years in every province and territory. Lesley lives in Whitehorse Yukon and is grateful to the planning profession for allowing her to connect with Canadians and planners from coast to coast to coast and engage in conversations about community and the future.

In the role of President, she has been instrumental in advancing CIP’s work advocating on behalf of planners to the Federal Government. She worked to coordinate CIP’s first ‘hill day’ where members of the Board met with parliamentarians to discuss items that our members said were important: climate change, affordability, the economy, reconciliation and housing.  In February this year, with members of the Indigenous Advisory Committee and the CIP Board, Lesley led the release of CIP’s Reconciliation Action Plan that sets out clear actions for CIP on our journey to reconciliation.

Lesley’s board experience includes both for profit and not for profit organizations, including the President of the Planning Institute of British Columbia, Chair of the Yukon Energy Corporation, Board Member of the Chu Níikwän Development Corporation (First Nation for profit development corporation), Chair of the Regional Land Use Planning Council, established under the Yukon’s modern treaty, and several community organizations including the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce and the Whitehorse Foodbank. Lesley received the Rotman School, Institute of Corporate Directors’ Designation in 2021.

Expression of Interest

I am proud of the work I have contributed to CIP over the past three years. We hired a new CEO, we completed our Reconciliation Action Plan, we established working groups that developed policy papers to support CIP’s advocacy work and federal budget submission, and we met with our members where they are. I want to continue this work.

We have seen federal priorities shift from housing and climate change to Arctic security and economic resilience. Planners have a lot to offer in all these spaces. Our northern communities need our planning expertise to build capacity and support healthy and sustainable communities. Economic resiliency begins in the communities we know, work and live in and we cannot let the decision makers forget about housing, climate change and affordability. I want to work with you to support the work we need to do as a profession on all these issues. I want to use the expertise and energy we have within our membership to engage nationally on solutions.

In 2027, CIP will develop a new Strategic Plan. I want our members heard and involved. I am passionate about our profession and the work we do from coast to coast to coast. I want to celebrate our work and let others know what we do so we are invited to the tables. I would be honoured if I was re-elected as the Director-at-Large.

Devin Causley RPP, MCIP

An architect for change and professional planner, Devin is a passionate advocate for livable, inclusive communities through climate focused capacity development. Devin serves as a Senior Policy Analyst with Housing Infrastructure and Communities Canada, leading outreach and engagement for the Climate Toolkit on housing and infrastructure. With prior experience at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and degrees in Planning and Local Economic Development from Waterloo, he empowers communities to advance resilience and accessibility. Skilled in facilitation, Devin has delivered 150+ workshops nationwide and is currently completing a Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership at Simon Fraser University.

Expression of Interest

I believe the Canadian Institute of Planners is uniquely positioned to champion the value of planning as a profession and to highlight its critical role in building sustainable, resilient communities across all orders of government. Drawing on my experience as a professional planner and my work with municipal, provincial, territorial, federal, and non-governmental partners, I am confident I can bring meaningful contributions to the Board in advancing CIP’s strategic priorities.

I bring a collaborative approach grounded in creative and rigorous critical thinking. As communities increasingly take on front-line responsibilities for the services Canadians rely on every day, supporting planners and community builders becomes essential. CIP’s ability to convene partners, strengthen relationships, and shape national dialogue will be vital in this evolving landscape.

Key issues such as housing, climate change, affordability, mobility, and reconciliation continue to demand thoughtful leadership and coordinated action. I believe CIP can play a central role in building capacity across the profession and supporting affiliates as they address these challenges.

The next three years will be an important period for CIP as the Board reviews and renews the Institute’s strategic direction. I am passionate about the issues shaping our profession and committed to contributing my experience in program leadership, evaluation, and policy development to help guide CIP’s future. I would welcome the opportunity to serve on the Board and support CIP in achieving its vision.

John Kazilis RPP, MCIP

John Kazilis is a senior public-sector leader with over 15 years of experience in infrastructure, transportation, and capital planning, overseeing multi-year budgets exceeding $100 million and advancing multi-billion-dollar provincial and national transit initiatives. He brings national governance experience as Chair and Jury Member of CIP’s Planning Student Trust Fund Jury, providing strategic direction and adjudicating funding awards supporting planning students across Canada. John has also contributed to advisory and governance bodies, including the Town of Aurora Heritage Advisory Committee and United Way York Region GenNext Cabinet. He is committed to fiduciary responsibility, ethical governance, and mentoring emerging planners to strengthen the Canadian planning profession.

Expression of Interest

I am seeking election as Director-at-Large of the Canadian Institute of Planners to contribute my governance experience, strategic oversight, and commitment to advancing the planning profession nationally.

With over 15 years in senior public-sector leadership, I have managed multi-year budgets exceeding $100 million and led York Region’s interests on multi-billion-dollar provincial and nationally significant transit projects. These roles required cross-jurisdictional collaboration, strategic stakeholder engagement, and politically accountable decision-making skills directly applicable to CIP’s Board responsibilities.

I bring national-level governance experience as Chair and Jury Member of CIP’s Planning Student Trust Fund Jury, providing strategic direction and adjudicating funding awards supporting planning students across Canada. I have also contributed to advisory and governance bodies including the Town of Aurora Heritage Advisory Committee and United Way York Region GenNext Cabinet, strengthening my ability to provide oversight, accountability, and strategic guidance.

I am motivated to support CIP’s strategic priorities, including Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, reconciliation, and mentorship of emerging professionals. As Director-at-Large, I would provide governance-level insight, bridge national planning initiatives with professional development, and ensure Board decisions reflect the evolving needs of the profession and communities across Canada.

I would be honoured to bring my experience, judgment, and commitment to service to strengthen CIP’s Board, advance the Canadian planning profession, and support the next generation of planners.

Megan Uglem

Megan Uglem is a recent graduate from the School of Community and Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia, with a specialization in Indigenous Community Planning. Megan is currently a municipal planner on the Sunshine Coast, BC, where she works on current planning projects and long range planning that advance resilient, accessible, and well-designed communities.

Originally from Alberta, Megan brings a grounded appreciation for community connection, collaboration, and land stewardship. She is deeply passionate about creating healthy, livable communities and ensuring planning decisions support long-term well-being for all residents.

Megan also contributes to the profession through her volunteer work with the Planning Institute of British Columbia’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, Decolonization & Inclusion (JEDDI) Working Group, where she helps advance equity, decolonization, and inclusive planning practices across British Columbia and the Yukon.

Expression of Interest

I am deeply committed to advancing a planning profession that supports healthy, livable, and inclusive communities across Canada. As a municipal planner on the Sunshine Coast, BC, I see firsthand how national leadership, shared learning, and strong professional standards shape practice on the ground. CIP’s Strategic Plan, with its focus on integrated action, reconciliation and EDI, and lifelong career support, closely aligns with both my work and values.

My experience spans development reviews, policy updates, accessibility planning, and interdepartmental collaboration. I have contributed to major initiatives including Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw updates, geohazard and environmental development permits, and the co-creation and implementation of a Regional Accessibility Plan. Through this work, I have developed strong governance literacy, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate complex issues into clear, actionable recommendations.

Growing up in Alberta shaped my appreciation for community connection and long-term planning. This continues to inform my passion for healthy, livable communities and equity-focused practice.

I also contribute through my volunteer role with the Planning Institute of British Columbia’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, Decolonization & Inclusion (JEDDI) Working Group, advancing equity, decolonization, and inclusive professional development across BC and the Yukon. This experience reinforces my belief in the importance of national leadership and collective impact.

I would be honoured to contribute my experience, energy, and commitment to CIP’s Board of Directors.

Andrei Botescu

Andrei Botescu is an award-winning student researcher and an incoming Master of Science in Planning (MScPl) student at the University of Toronto (September 2026). He will graduate this spring with an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto Scarborough, completing a double major in Human Geography and French. His academic and research interests focus on transportation accessibility and equity, and how mobility systems shape access to different opportunities and essential services. Andrei is interested in improving regional transportation networks and suburban connectivity across Canada to better serve underserved communities and reduce spatial inequalities.

He currently works as a Research Assistant with the Mobilizing Justice research lab at the University of Toronto, where he is the primary analyst for the National Survey of Transport Poverty. In this role, he conducts statistical analyses, developing insights into transportation access, perceptions and behavior across Canada. He was awarded a University of Toronto Excellence Award (UTEA) for his research on transportation barriers to employment and education for different socioeconomic groups.

He is a student member of both the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. Outside of academics, he enjoys playing soccer, connecting with teammates and community members.

Expression of Interest

Andrei Botescu is eager to serve as a Student Director with the Canadian Institute of Planners to contribute to the future of the planning profession in Canada and develop his leadership abilities as an emerging planner. His academic and research work on transportation accessibility and equity aligns with CIP’s vision of building inclusive, vibrant communities connected to opportunity and supportive of long-term well-being. He believes decisions prioritizing sustainability and inclusivity should be continuous and embedded in every stage of the design process.

As a Mississauga native commuting nearly five hours daily by bus to university in Scarborough, he saw firsthand how transportation can expand or restrict access to education and employment. He is eager to bring this perspective to the Board by supporting evidence-based discussions and contributing to initiatives that advance equitable planning practices across Canada.

Andrei is drawn to CIP’s values of creatively courageous problem-solving and inclusive mobilization, and is committed to actively participating in Board responsibilities and engaging with strategic priorities. He views this role as an opportunity to contribute to national-level planning conversations, learn how to scale CIP’s values locally, and understand how national initiatives impact multiple governance levels.

By serving on the Board, Andrei hopes to strengthen his understanding of planning governance and decision-making while supporting CIP’s mission of member engagement and amplifying the profession’s impact, including through starting a local Toronto CIP chapter at the University of Toronto. He is motivated to represent student perspectives and grow into a thoughtful, engaged planning leader.

Georgina Colthurst

Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, the southernmost city in Canada bordering the United States, Georgina developed an early awareness of how geography shapes communities and regional connections. After completing an undergraduate degree in Women’s and Gender Studies, she moved to Northern British Columbia, where her passion for northern and regional planning emerged.

Over the past ten years, she has worked in the non-profit and public sectors, focusing on community development and public engagement. In Northern BC, she contributed to regional initiatives with United Way Northern BC, participating in community action tables and managing youth employment programs for The Foundry in Terrace. She also served as a constituency assistant for a Member of Parliament in the Skeena-Bulkley Valley, gaining firsthand experience with governance, public participation, and the unique challenges faced by remote northern communities. These experiences deepened her focus on northern planning, resilience, and equitable community development.

She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning at Queen’s University, expected to graduate in 2028. Her research will focus on northern planning, governance, and affordable housing policy in northern communities, building on her professional experience and commitment to supporting sustainable, resilient, and inclusive northern communities.

Expression of Interest

As an emerging planner with a non-traditional background, I am motivated to advocate for students who, like me, come from diverse educational and professional pathways. As a CIP Student Board Director, I hope to highlight the unique needs, supports, and perspectives of non-traditional planning students. Planning is inherently interdisciplinary, and I believe there are pathways for success for everyone. With a background in Women’s Studies, a minor in Labour Studies, and experience as an employment navigator, I hope to support students, both traditional and non-traditional, by connecting peers, organizations, and promoting mentorship.

Urban planning is often misunderstood. I have frequently been asked, “What job will you get with that?” Yet when the conversation turns to design, place, and community, people often have strong insights and concerns about the built environment; they just haven’t been engaged. Many people already have planning in them, and I want to advocate for the profession while connecting students to it. I hope to engage undergraduates, high school students, career changers, and others considering planning as a path, helping them see the opportunities and diversity of experiences that can contribute to the field. My goal is to create a bridge for non-traditional students and potential planners, ensuring that planning reflects the full range of perspectives, experiences, and voices in our communities.

Manuela D’Cunha

Manuela D’Cunha is a Planning Student at the University of Waterloo with a strong interest in sustainability, housing, and transportation systems. She has previously worked as an urban planning student at Public Services and Procurement Canada. Her, “Neighbourhood-Level Determinants of Premature Mortality: A Spatial Analysis of Health, Socioeconomic, and Accessibility Factors in Toronto” was displayed at the Fourth Annual Healthy Cities Conference. Manuela is an active member of the planning community at the University of Waterloo. She has previously served as an event coordinator and student representative for the University’s Planning Student Association. In her free time, she enjoys reading poetry and playing in music ensembles.

Expression of Interest

I am running for the Board of Directors as I want to strengthen connections within between students and the professional community and create more opportunities for member growth and development. Through bringing my student voice to the board I aim to convey need and opportunities that face future planning professionals. Active engagement of the next generation of planners is a key priority of mine, contributing to long term membership growth and retention by strengthening early involvement. By creating a sustainable connected professional community, we can ensure that students are better prepared to enter the workforce and planners are engaged in helping shape the future of their field.

Beyond active student participation, I plan to support CIP in its advocacy for planning priorities, and working to support more integrated, equitable planning. I also aim to strengthen communications between the board and the member body, making sure that members are informed about the current landscape of planning policy and other developments in the field. Overall, it is my goal to be an active listener advocating for member needs and the long-term growth of the planning profession.

Benjamin Holt

Benjamin Holt is an emerging planning professional and researcher currently completing his undergraduate studies at the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University. His academic work is driven by a fascination with the intersection of policy, technology, and urban resilience. Ben’s research focuses on navigating how public policy can address Canada’s critical infrastructure challenges, as well as utilizing emerging technologies and innovative public engagement strategies to foster more inclusive urban environments.

Before transitioning into urban planning, Ben developed a robust professional foundation in banking, recreation, and energy sectors. This background provided him with a unique analytical lens, particularly regarding risk management, inter-agency coordination, and the alignment of private sector activity with long-term public policy goals. His experience in professional sales and customer service further honed his ability to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences; a skill he considers vital for modern planners who must bridge the gap between technical policy and community needs.

Outside of his professional and academic pursuits, Ben is a former nationally ranked competitive swimmer. The years spent in high-performance athletics have instilled in him a profound sense of discipline, time management, and resilience. He brings this same “first-to-arrive, last-to-leave” mindset to his leadership roles, viewing the challenges facing the next generation of planners as opportunities for strategic innovation and persistent advocacy.

Expression of Interest

As a Toronto Metropolitan University planning student, I am eager to serve as the strategic link between the Canadian Institute of Planners and the next generation of professionals. My goal is to bridge the “relevance gap” by ensuring national governance reflects student needs.

My priorities for this two-year term include:

Enhancing Student Value: I will advocate for tangible benefits, including modernized mentorship frameworks and digital forums that connect students directly with Registered Professional Planners, enhancing the value proposition of certification.

Operationalizing EDI: I am committed to ensuring the CIP’s EDI Roadmap translates into grassroots action. I will champion inclusive outreach and awards that reflect the diverse communities we are being trained to serve.

Strategic Advocacy: Leveraging my background in finance and energy, I will translate the CIP Strategic Plan into actionable insights for students, encouraging early engagement with national standards and the Code of Professional Conduct.

The role of Student Director requires a blend of diplomacy and persistence. My experience as a competitive swimmer has instilled the discipline required for a long-term mandate, while my professional background in sales has honed my ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders. I am prepared to be a reliable, vocal advocate for Canada’s 2,000+ student members, ensuring our voices shape the future of the profession.

Mo Li

Mo Li is currently completing her Master of Planning at Dalhousie University, building upon expertise in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) earned at COGS-NSCC. Originally from Beijing, China, Mo began her educational journey in Canada in 2015. Her early experiences as an international student navigating a new environment and language fostered a deep empathy and understanding of the varied challenges individuals face within a community as a newcomer. This perspective is further informed by professional roles, including work as a GIS technician and an urban planner. These roles have provided Mo with first-hand insight into how important planning decisions profoundly impact people’s everyday lives.

Currently serving as the CIP Student Liaison, Mo is dedicated to merging technical skills with a compassionate understanding of community needs, ultimately striving to make an impact for a better community for all people to stay and live. She is a 2025 CIP/ICU Planning Student Trust Fund Bursary recipient and a participant in the CIP Future Planner Program.

Expression of Interest

I am seeking the Student Director position to transition from local advocacy to national governance, ensuring student perspectives are a structural component of the Institute’s vision during this two-year term. Having served as the CIP Student Liaison and Vice President (Outreach) for ITE Dalhousie, I understand the importance of representing emerging planners where strategic decisions are made. I am particularly motivated by the CIP Strategic Plan’s commitment to being the “trusted voice of planning” and its focus on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). As an international student who navigated a new environment and language, I believe a “”trusted voice”” must be inclusive and reflect the diverse lived experiences of all members.

My goal is to support the “Building the Profession” pillar of the Strategic Plan by advocating for clear pathways from academia to professional practice, drawing on my current experience as a Master of Planning candidate. I intend to champion a forward-looking vision for the profession that addresses national priorities like climate change and housing through a lens of community resilience. Furthermore, I will bring a high level of governance literacy, honed through leadership training and professional project management, to ensure the Board remains accountable to its student membership. Ultimately, I am ready to offer my leadership and collaborative skills to help guide CIP in its mission to create better communities for all.

Zackary Matiz Ward

I’m a Master of Science in Planning student at the University of Toronto and a recipient of the Canada Graduate Scholarship Masters, where my work focuses on sustainable urban mobility and the role of planning in shaping more equitable cities. My interest in planning grew out of a broader curiosity about how infrastructure and policy decisions shape everyday experiences, particularly who cities work well for, and who they leave out.

Before beginning my graduate studies, I worked in transportation planning with the City of Ottawa and later with Elections Canada as a Geospatial Data Systems Analyst. These experiences introduced me to the practical side of planning and public-sector decision-making, and to the importance of communicating complex spatial and policy information clearly.

In my academic work, I’ve explored housing and transportation through applied research, including projects on inclusive bike share systems that incorporate gender-based and accessibility considerations. Across this work, I’ve become especially interested in how planning can better respond to diverse needs through more inclusive and evidence-based approaches.

I’m motivated by the opportunity to contribute to a planning profession that is more accessible, equitable, and responsive, and to bring a student perspective into conversations shaping its future.

Expression of Interest

I am interested in serving as a Student Director with CIP because I see it as an opportunity to contribute to the future of the planning profession while bringing forward student perspectives on emerging challenges.

As a current planning student, I am engaging directly with issues that are central to CIP’s priorities, including housing affordability, climate-responsive transportation, and equitable access to public space. Through both academic research and professional experience in municipal transportation planning, I have developed a strong interest in how policy, governance, and planning practice intersect.

I am particularly motivated to support CIP’s work on equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to ensure that student voices, especially those navigating barriers within planning education and the profession, are meaningfully represented. I also bring experience translating complex research into accessible insights, which I believe is valuable in a governance context.

Serving on the Board would allow me to contribute thoughtfully while also learning from experienced planners across the country. I would approach the role with curiosity, accountability, and a strong commitment to collaboration.