ROCHESTER, NY. On May 1, 2025, New York State Assemblymember Harry Bronson hosted the annual Women of Distinction ceremony honoring 25 exceptional women within the state’s 138th Assembly District, including Tanya Mooza Zwahlen, AICP, Founder and CEO of Highland Planning.
The Women of Distinction awards recognize women who have gone above and beyond to better the Greater Rochester community across various fields including business, education, healthcare, humanitarian work, government, military service, volunteerism, and community affairs. One honoree, Tanya Mooza Zwahlen, exemplifies the spirit of these awards.
“Please join me in celebrating the inspirational women of Monroe County who have positively impacted the lives of others and continue to be exemplary members of our community. The Women of Distinction awards provide the opportunity to spotlight these individuals for their work and accomplishments in several fields, including volunteer work, education, health care, business and military service. Congratulations, Tanya Mooza Zwahlen, and thank you for the incredible work you do for our community,” said Assemblymember Bronson.
Tanya Mooza Zwahlen was recognized for her outstanding contributions across multiple categories including business, government, community/civic affairs, and volunteerism. In 2007, she founded Highland Planning with the dual purpose of creating flexibility for herself as a working mother and pursuing her professional passion for advancing economic and community development. Under her leadership, Highland Planning has grown from a solo consultancy into a premier certified women-owned business with more than a dozen professionals focused on transforming communities through creative public engagement, planning, and design strategies.
Tanya’s dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices is exemplified in her innovative engagement approaches, including ambassador programs, door-to-door outreach, walking tours, and pop-up events. Her transformative initiatives include Reimagine RTS (Regional Transit Service), the City of Rochester’s 2034 Comprehensive Plan, and the City of Rochester’s Urban Forest Master Plan, which have reshaped the Greater Rochester community. The work done by Tanya Mooza Zwahlen has been crucial in these efforts.
Her professional excellence has been recognized with multiple accolades, including the NY Upstate American Planning Association’s Best Practice Public Outreach Award in 2018 for Reimagine RTS and the 2024 NY Upstate APA Best Practice Public Outreach Award for her work on Rochester’s Urban Forest Master Plan.
Beyond her professional impact, Tanya Mooza Zwahlen has contributed countless volunteer hours to community service over the past 20 years. She served on the board of the South Wedge Planning Committee (2004-2012), where she played an instrumental role in revitalizing South Avenue, and was a member of the City of Rochester Environmental Commission (2008-2017). She also served on the board of the Community Design Center Rochester (2020-2024) and currently volunteers with the Monroe Avenue Revitalization Committee, working to create a more vibrant, livable community.
Congratulations to Tanya for this well-deserved honor! Her unwavering commitment to fostering equitable and vibrant communities exemplifies the spirit of a Woman of Distinction. Tanya Mooza Zwahlen continues to inspire through her dedicated service and leadership.
