Women's History Month Archive

Urban Legends: The Women Redefining APA Leadership

March 12, 2026; 7-8:30 PM (EDT)

Increasing numbers of women are stepping into volunteer APA leadership roles, shaping critical dialogues, guiding policy decisions, and pushing boundaries. But, what does it take to be an APA leader? What leadership opportunities are available? And, how do you move from member to influencer?

Urban Legends convenes a powerhouse group of women representing the range of volunteer leadership opportunities open to APA members, including women who have navigated a path to the upper echelons of APA leadership. Moderated by APA Women & Planning Division Chair Caroline Dwyer, AICP, this inspiring panel discussion will pull the curtain back on APA leadership. Our distinguished panelists will share unfiltered versions of their leadership journeys—the challenges they’ve overcome, the glass ceilings they’ve smashed, and the strategies they've used to build influence within our professional organization. Whether you have never even considered joining a committee or you are eyeing a seat on the APA Board, this session gives you tools and confidence to step up and heed the call. Join us for stories from the trenches, tough questions, and learn how you can shape the future of APA. The future of APA is being written now. Will you be the one to lead it?

Panelists:

Sue Schwartz, FAICP; President, APA Board of Directors

Corrin Wendell, FAICP; Immediate Past Chair, APA Women & Planning Division

Erin Perdu, AICP; President, AICP Commission

Tippe Morlan, M.Sc., MTA, AICP; Vice-Chair, APA Chapter Presidents Council (Past President, APA Utah)

Deborah L. Myerson, AICP; Chair, APA Divisions Council

Breanne Kennedy, AICP; Dir. of Membership, APA Women & Planning Division; Past President, APA Minnesota; past Treasurer/ Secretary, Chapter Presidents' Council

Shenita McConis, PE, PMP, AICP; Chair, APA Federal Planning Division

Julia Lave Johnston; Immediate Past Chair, APA Chapter Presidents Council (Past President, APA California)

WPD 103: Brand U- Storytelling & Public Speaking (2.5 CM)

March 5, 2026, 1-2:30 PM (EST)

Calling all women! Build your confidence and skills in speaking persuasively in ANY setting.

Every planner has a story—but the way you tell it determines its power. This interactive session will strengthen your public speaking and storytelling skills so you can engage, persuade, and inspire in any setting. From staff meetings to conference keynotes, you’ll learn how to structure compelling narratives, connect with your audience, and deliver with confidence. By the end, you’ll craft and practice your own “signature story” to share with impact.

WPD-U is a professional development series developed and facilitated by Corrin Wendell, AICP, founder and president of Future Focus Strategies that responds to members' most requested professional development topics, equipping women planners with the skills, confidence, and strategies to lead...and thrive.

Bossy Bias

Postponed

"Bossy bias," i.e., mischaracterizes and unfairly penalizes women's assertiveness as inappropriate domineering behavior (or worse). Bossy bias undermines women's leadership potential, reinforces gender inequity, and erects barriers to success.

In this webinar, panelists will share their experiences with gender bias in the workplace, its unique impact on women's career trajectories, and how it perpetuates gender inequity in professional settings. You will hear about the very real impacts of the bossy bias on women's careers, including how it plays out in hiring, leadership assessments, and everyday interactions.

Participants will also learn to create unbiased decision-making processes, encourage diverse leadership styles, and implement organizational changes supporting women's advancement while eliminating the burden of likability standards.

Join the fight and combat bossy bias in your workplace!

HERstory Coffee Break: From Planner to Founder - Starting Your Own Planning Business

March 25, 2025

An inspiring conversation with Breanne Rothstein, AICP, founder and CEO of Thrive Consulting! Breanne shares her journey of launching Thrive Consulting — what led her to take the leap, challenges she faced in her first year, and lessons learned in building a successful planning business. If you’ve ever thought about starting your own firm or want to hear from an experienced planning entrepreneur, this session is for you!

HERstory Planning Trivia with the Chair and Networking

March 13, 2025

Women & Planning Division Women's History Month planning trivia and networking.

HERstory Featured Webinar: HerCity

March 6, 2025

HerCity is a research initiative focusing on the concept of the gendered city, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities involved in creating spaces that cater to the needs of girls, and introducing a step-by-step methodology and digital tools ensuring girls' voices are heard and integrated into urban development. This is an essential presentation for planners, city officials, and everyone who is committed to building cities where every voice matters.

Women Entrepreneurs in Urban Planning: Panel and Discussion

March 14, 2024

Women take different career paths in urban planning. While having equal skills to start a business, men heavily outnumber women in entrepreneurial endeavors. In this panel discussion, women-led business owners shared their personal stories that led them to entrepreneurship, the challenges of starting a business and brand, and bringing their passions to their communities.

Moderated by:

• Breanne Rothstein, AICP; Founder and CEO, Thrive Consulting
• Jasmine Jones- Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast Co-host

Featuring:

• Dee Powell, Creator and Founder of Do Right By the Streets (DRBTS)
• Samantha Ellman and Natalie Ikhrata, Urban Planning Is Not Boring Podcast

Sex(ism) and the City: Panel & Discussion

Postponed

Modern city planning is faced with reconciling a long history of gender bias in planning practice. Buzzwords like "gender mainstreaming" are entering the collective consciousness but have limited success in creating tangible changes in planning practice. Women and minorities continue to be systemically underrepresented in the decision-making process for land use decisions. This panel will acknowledge sexist cities and then discuss strategies for planners and communities to dismantle barriers for women & minority populations participating in the decision-making process through strategic civic engagement. Featuring Lydia Lo, Research Assistant at Urban Institute and Katelynn Wintz, AICP as Moderator.

Women in Pow-HER: Annual Women's History Month Networking Event

March 28, 2024

Join the APA Women & Planning Division for an enriching mid-morning coffee break and networking event.

Featured speakers:

• Jahnee Prince, Atlanta Planning Commissioner
• Corrin Wendell, Community Development Director and Planner, City of Little Canada
• Tamara Frost, Assistant Director of Zoning, City of Miami

These accomplished professionals shared their insights and experiences, highlighting the power and influence of women in planning. After the panel discussion, planners connected, exchanged, ideas, and expanded their professional networks.