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At Highland Planning, our passion for social good drives us to transform communities through creative public engagement, planning, and design strategies.
Founded in 2007, Highland Planning is a planning + design studio known for our commitment to community, innovation, and quality. A certified women-owned business with offices and staff in Buffalo, Rochester, and Albany, New York, we are driven by a passion for social good to implement creative public engagement, planning, and design strategies through collaborative partnerships across the northeastern United States.
We listen to, design with and transform communities through our work, helping governments and public sector agencies make better, more informed decisions that improve the quality of life for all. Our tagline, “Listen. Design. Transform.” encapsulates our approach and the impact we create.
We treat others with respect, kindness, and empathy. We listen to and consider the thoughts and feelings of those around us and strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment.
We infuse passion and care into everything we do. We pay attention to the details and exceed expectations.
We are flexible in our approach to challenges and obstacles, welcoming new ideas and perspectives. We are always evolving.
Use the form below to get in touch.
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Privacy Policy | © 2024 All rights reserved
Tanya loves meeting design, brainstorming go-to-them strategies, and getting to know people throughout the project process. She discovered the field of city planning after reading Jane Jacobs’ book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, and studied city and regional planning at Cornell University. In 2007, she established Highland Planning to focus on effective public engagement and urban redevelopment projects. When she’s not working, she’s mothering, taking her dog for a walk, or reading an Andrea Gibson poem.
Liz loves working on projects where she can weave together her experience in ecology, landscape architecture, planning, and community engagement. From her start as a deep-sea ecologist to her current role as a planner and landscape architect, Liz is passionate about exploring new places, listening to and learning from communities, and finding ways to creatively integrate nature into urban spaces. She thoughtfully approaches every project from an interdisciplinary perspective, valuing the unique characteristics and connections of a place. Liz received her masters degree in biology from Penn State University and her masters in landscape architecture from the University of Oregon. When she’s not working, she’s hanging out with her family, biking around Albany, or relaxing at Lake Champlain.
Megan is passionate about using public engagement to build trust and collaboration. She has led complex projects, managed stakeholders, and delivered results in various industries. She believes in using innovative solutions to engage communities, from creative marketing communication campaigns to new technology. Megan is a proud St. Bonaventure University graduate and lives with her family in Rochester, NY. She enjoys playing soccer, golfing, running, and home renovation projects.
Leanne has always been passionate about the built environment and how people interact with buildings and spaces. With over 20 years of experience in architecture and planning, she brings a unique perspective to Highland Planning. Her firm belief that communities deserve the space and time to plan for their future drives her comprehensive approach to community development and spatial design.
Leanne’s expertise spans municipal planning, environmental review, zoning updates, and community outreach. She excels at leading multi-disciplinary teams and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to create innovative, sustainable solutions. Her analytical skills and creative problem-solving allow her to balance regulatory requirements with client needs and community aspirations, always focusing on enhancing community livability.
A Buffalo resident, Leanne enjoys walking and reading with her family throughout her neighborhood (Elmwood Village). But most of her time is spent at the ice rink cheering for her goalie-daughter’s hockey team (Go Shamrocks!!)
Julie strongly believes in involving members of the public in decisions that impact them. She is driven by a passion for improving our local community and giving a voice to the most vulnerable populations within it. Julie has experience in transit service planning, transit operations, GIS, and municipal government, and is skilled at collaboration, innovative thinking, communication, and operationalizing ideas. She holds a BS degree from Cornell University and a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University. Julie lives in Brockport, NY with her husband, two sons, and two dogs, and volunteers with Flower City Habitat for Humanity in her spare time.
Heike is committed to using her skills and knowledge to create more livable, equitable, and sustainable places. She brings a wide array of experience to the Highland Planning team, including experience in local government, land use and zoning, clean energy permitting, NEPA and SEQR compliance, comprehensive planning, transportation planning, grant writing, and public engagement. Heike lives in Buffalo, NY, and in her free time, she loves to travel and explore new places near and far, hiking, reading, and listening to live music.
Through her years of experience in neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and community engagement, Nora was drawn to the planning profession. She has assisted communities throughout New York State in undertaking a range of public and private sector projects/plans. She is passionate about equitable access and inclusive planning practices. Nora lives in the Capital Region with her husband, child, and their two dogs.
Sara loves working on projects that help people connect to their environment. Through her experience in multimodal transportation, food systems, large landscape planning, and science communication, Sara brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the planning and design process. She enjoys collaborating with communities to find creative approaches to placemaking, climate resilience, and inclusive design. Sara lives in Albany, NY, and in her free time can be found reading, biking, kayaking, or planning her next meal.
Stephanie has always been passionate about community, specifically about staying updated on the latest local news in Rochester. With a degree in journalism from the University at Albany, she learned the importance of listening to what people have to say and telling their story in an impactful way. She believes the best part of an interview is coming away with a new perspective that you might never have learned if you hadn’t talked to someone. Stephanie is excited to gain more public service experience interacting with different communities. When she is not working, Stephanie enjoys running, reading and DJing the most exhilarating wedding dance floor.
Katrina’s diverse professional background. Her experience in hospitality, customer service, administration, and office management brings a unique perspective to the team. She is passionate about learning and helping others, striving to get this to every project she works on. Outside of the workplace, Katrina shares her home with three adorable cats and an equally adorable tortoise. She is a huge music fan, evidenced by her ever-growing record collection.
Elaine‘s dedication to facilitating various multifaceted needs to help Highland Planning reach its goals is admirable. She aims to achieve an open, harmonious, and efficient business model. Collaborating to create strategies and design new processes is not just a job for her; it’s a passion. Elaine‘s love for her work extends to her personal life, where she cherishes spending time at the dog park with her family.