May 28, 2025 – The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) is pleased to announce the induction of five new distinguished members into its esteemed College of Fellows: Emilie Adin RPP, FCIP, Lindsay Chase RPP, FCIP, Clément Demers urbaniste émérite, FCIP, Eleanor Mohammed RPP, FCIP, and Pamela Robinson RPP, FCIP.

Designation as a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners (FCIP) is the highest honour a planner in Canada can receive. This prestigious title recognizes outstanding and sustained contributions to the planning profession, both nationally and within communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

“It is my privilege to welcome and celebrate these five exceptional planners as they join the College of Fellows,” said Lesley Cabott RPP, FCIP, ICD D, President of the Canadian Institute of Planners. “Each inductee has made meaningful and lasting contributions to the planning profession through their work in the public, private and academic sectors. Their leadership, mentorship, and volunteer service have helped elevate our profession and inspire the next generation of planners.”

Paul Bedford RPP (lifetime), FCIP and Mark Holland RPP, FCIP, Co-Chairs of the College of Fellows, also offered their congratulations: “We are thrilled to welcome our new Fellows. Each one has made a unique and lasting impact within their region of the country and beyond. Their decades of experience, commitment to excellence, and passion for planning will be a tremendous asset to the Canadian Institute of Planners. We are particularly pleased to acknowledge the diversity of this year’s inductees, which reflects our ongoing commitment to ensure that the College of Fellows represents our profession and our communities.”

Emilie Adin RPP, FCIP

Emilie K Adin is a trailblazer with 25 years of experience in various leadership roles, including Deputy Director of Planning in Langford, Director of Community Services in North Vancouver City, and Director of Climate Action, Planning + Development in New Westminster. She has also served as a dedicated educator, including in the role of Adjunct Professor at the School of Community and Regional Planning at UBC since 2018. Throughout her career, Emilie has demonstrated mastery in planning principles and has implemented impactful initiatives that have benefitted communities across Canada. She has garnered or shared in over 20 professional awards, including several national honors, for her leadership in areas such as housing, development, and green buildings. Emilie is also an avid volunteer and mentor, and has published insightful articles on mentorship. Her prolific writing includes dozens of publications, including her popular “PlanGirl Travels” series and her upcoming book “The Urban Curious Guide to Europe.” Currently serving as President of the Planning Institute of BC, Emilie continues to inspire and shape the future of planning through her dedication to the profession and her leadership.

Lindsay Chase RPP, FCIP

Lindsay Chase is an accomplished local government planner, mentor and leader in the profession. For over two decades, she has dedicated countless hours volunteering with PIBC, CIP, and the Professional Standards Board, significantly advancing the profession through the Planning for the Future (PFF) Project. Lindsay played a key role in establishing new national standards for planners and accrediting university programs, ensuring the success of these initiatives through collaboration with ACUPP and CIP. She also contributed leadership to stabilize CIP during a challenging period. 

In her professional practice she is passionate advocate for a career in the public sector, and has devoted her career to local government practice.  Lindsay is currently the Director of Planning at the District of Saanich leading a diverse team of professionals as Saanich grows its urban areas while continuing to protect rural lands. She previously worked with the Town of View Royal, the City of Victoria, and the Regional District of Nanaimo.   

As a professor at Vancouver Island University, Lindsay integrates her extensive professional experience into teaching, mentoring students in the Master of Community Planning program at VIU for over 10 years. Her doctoral research also reflects her commitment to the profession, particularly in governance, ethics, and professional practice. In addition to her academic work, Lindsay actively contributes to professional development as a frequent conference presenter. She continues to serve the profession as a volunteer with the PIBC Professional Conduct Review Committee, ensuring the planning profession remains strong.

Clément Demers urbaniste émérite, FCIP

Clément Demers urbaniste émérite, FCIP is an architect (OAQ, FIRAC), urban planner (OUQ, CIP), project manager (Governor of PMI-Montréal), honorary professor and accredited mediator (IMAQ, IAMC). He has pursued parallel careers in a variety of fields and has often been involved on a voluntary basis, making a significant contribution to the planning profession. His diverse experiences have shaped a unique transdisciplinary practice, enabling him to hone innovative approaches to the realization of high-impact urban and cultural projects. The projects realized under his direction are lasting legacies, from the enhancement of Old Montreal to the Quartier international de Montréal and the Quartier des spectacles de Montréal. He has lectured around the world and contributed to over a hundred organizations and expert committees, some of which he has chaired, such as the NCC’s ACPDR and the City of Westmount’s PAC.

Clément was named an Officer of the Ordre national du Québec in June 2023 for his outstanding contribution to architecture, urban planning, design and urban project management.

Eleanor Mohammed RPP, FCIP

Eleanor Mohammed is a renowned Registered Professional Planner with over 20 years of transformative impact across the public-, private- and not-for-profit-sectors in Canada and internationally. She is a Partner at DIALOG, specializing in urban governance and land use planning. She is also the Chair of the UN-HABITAT Professionals Forum and a Board Director for Canada’s National Capital Commission.

A former President of the Commonwealth Association of Planners, Canadian Institute of Planners, and Alberta Professional Planners Institute, she has spearheaded diverse projects, from sustainable development advocacy and professional capacity development to multilateral international engagement. Eleanor has the distinction of being the longest-serving female President of the CIP and was responsible for leading a major rebuild of the Institute between 2016 and 2020. Since 2021, she has been an inspiring speaker for the CIP Emerging Leaders Program, kicking off each cohort with the exploration of ‘What is a Leader?’.

Eleanor has held senior executive municipal positions in eastern and western Canada, which has provided her with a Canada-wide perspective and approach to city-building and land use. Her expertise spans legal instruments, city-wide plans, strategic plans, and innovative projects, such as leading the City of Beaumont’s autonomous shuttle initiative – a first of its kind in Canada. She was also recognized on the Royal Town Planning Institute’s (U.K.) International Women of Influence list. Eleanor’s dedication to community service and the profession is evident in her work, her authentic relationships, and the lasting positive impact she has on the Planners and communities she works with.

Pamela Robinson PhD, RPP, FCIP

Dr. Pamela Robinson, PhD, RPP, FCIP is a Professor and Graduate Program Director at the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and the Academic Director of City Building TMU. With over 30 years of experience, Pamela has significantly advanced the planning profession through her work as a practitioner, academic, and mentor. She has provided strategic advice on sustainable development, smart cities, and civic technology, influencing policy and planning frameworks at all levels of government. Pamela is recognized as a leading expert in climate change, urban sustainability, smart cities, open data, AI, and governance. Her current research explores questions around AI governance and smart cities, with a focus on public engagement. Pamela has supervised over 50 graduate students and mentored many early-career professionals. She is also a tireless advocate for evolving our profession and practice to be more sustainable, accessible and inclusive.  

View the full list of Fellows here: https://www.cip-icu.ca/college-of-fellows

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For more information or to request an interview with a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners, please contact:

Lauren Murray (she/her)
Manager, Communications
800.207.2138 x 207
communications@cip-icu.ca

About the Canadian Institute of Planners

The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) works on behalf of over 9,500 diverse planning professionals and has served as the voice of Canada’s planning community since 1919. Planners safeguard the health and well-being of urban and rural communities by addressing the use of land, resources, facilities, and services with consideration to physical, economic, and social efficiency.