Women's History Month Programming
2026 Special Events & Programming
WPD-U Continues!
WPD 103: Brand U- Storytelling & Public Speaking
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.
- 2.5 CM credits.
- $70/$35 (WPD member discount)
Registration includes live webinar course, materials and resources targeted to the course goals, and exclusive access to WPD's peer support and mutual learning platform.
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.
Panel Discussion on APA Leadership
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?
- Free webinar.
- Opportunity for Q&A with distinguished APA leaders.
- CM credits pending.
| Confirmed 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) |
Cornell Student-Led Discussion
Carrying HERstory Forward: Young Planners' Perspectives on Care & Aging
March 24, 2026, 3-4:30 PM (EDT)
Much of what sustains our cities happens outside formal planning processes. This webinar brings forward stories of caregiving, aging, and local leadership to show how private challenges become shared responsibilities. Participants will explore how planners can lead with equity, center engagement, and build communities that better reflect the lives of those who sustain them. Join APA's Women & Planning Division and students from Cornell University to look beyond policies and projects, toward the everyday experiences that define place.
1 CM (EQ)
Professional Development Session
Thrive to Lead: Professional Wellness for Women Shaping the Future
March 31, 2026, 1-2:30 PM (EDT)
Leading lasting change starts with a leader who’s well. This session reframes wellness as a strategic advantage—connecting personal energy, boundaries, and mindset to the demands of modern leadership. Join APA's Women & Planning Division and session facilitator Corrin Wendell, FAICP to explore practical tools to help YOU prevent burnout, sustain focus, and align your daily habits with mission-driven work across environmental, economic, educational, and social impact. Through short exercises and peer dialogue, you’ll craft a simple, repeatable wellness plan that protects your capacity, amplifies your voice, and strengthens the teams and communities you serve.