Experienced community development leader brings operational expertise to support growth of New York State planning and urban design studio.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Oct. 9, 2025) — Highland Planning, a women-owned planning and urban design studio, today announced Diana Searl as its new chief operating officer. Searl’s appointment strengthens the firm’s capacity to serve communities across New York State with innovative planning and design services.
Searl brings immediate operational leadership that will enhance client service and project delivery. With over 15 years of managing disaster recovery, community development, and affordable housing programs nationwide, she will oversee daily operations for Highland Planning’s 16-member team of planners, landscape designers, and engagement specialists.
What Clients Can Expect
Highland Planning clients gain additional leadership oversight across all projects. Searl will provide project management guidance, quality assurance, and strategic support to ensure every engagement benefits from seasoned leadership.
Her experience managing multiple stakeholder groups—from elected leaders to residents to agency partners—directly supports Highland Planning’s collaborative approach. Clients can expect the same responsive service that has defined her career, now backed by the full strength of Highland Planning’s integrated planning, design, engagement and communications capabilities.
Proven Track Record in Community Development
Based in Albany, Searl has managed projects ranging from $100,000 advisory contracts to multi-million dollar programs with state and local governments. She has worked with disaster-impacted jurisdictions nationwide, leading programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“I am a problem solver at heart, and genuinely enjoy understanding a problem and identifying solutions,” Searl said.
Her approach emphasizes active listening and responsiveness—essential skills for building trust with clients and teams. Searl’s decade in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina shaped her leadership philosophy. Leading two housing development nonprofits, she witnessed how collaborative planning rebuilds lives and neighborhoods. These experiences reinforced her belief that thriving communities require listening, empathy, and action—values that align with Highland Planning’s mission.
Her family background deepened this commitment to public service. Her mother trained as an architect, her father as an engineer and construction manager, while her grandfathers served as an energy economist and medical doctor. This legacy of technical expertise combined with community service instilled a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to social good.
Strengthening Internal Operations
Searl will create the systems and processes that allow Highland Planning’s team to focus on delivering innovative planning and design, public engagement and marketing communications work. She brings extensive experience developing operational infrastructure, including staff utilization tracking, performance management systems, financial planning, and resource allocation processes.
“Strategic planning and internal assessments don’t happen on their own,” Searl notes. “They have to be planned for like any other client project.”
Her track record includes building operational systems that free teams to pursue impactful work while maintaining consistent quality. Having regularly managed portfolios of multiple active projects while supporting 4-6 additional engagements simultaneously, Searl understands the complexities of balancing competing priorities and stakeholder needs.
Leadership Philosophy Centered on Service
“Diana is a natural leader and problem-solver who has dedicated her career to helping communities build resilience and thrive,” said Tanya Mooza Zwahlen, AICP, CEO and founder of Highland Planning. “Her experience managing complex projects and building operational systems aligns perfectly with our mission to implement creative public engagement, planning, and urban design strategies through collaborative partnerships.”
Searl’s leadership approach centers on listening rather than directing.
“Leadership is not a title, but an approach,” she said. “To lead is to listen; to engage in the complexity without minimizing the challenges; to set others up for success; to see and communicate the potential; to make space for technical expertise and lived experience; to empower and validate others; to reflect and adjust.”
In line with Highland Planning’s Listen. Design. Transform. approach, Searl will help cultivate a culture that honors people, embraces change, and ensures every project sparkles.
“After five years in a fully remote role, I am excited about doing more local work, connecting with community and having an impact that I can see,” Searl said. “What excites me about joining Highland Planning is how seamlessly my values align—listening to communities, honoring people, and creating lasting positive change through planning and urban design.”
About Diana Searl
Searl holds a Bachelor of Arts in public policy from the University of Michigan and a Master’s in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She recently completed a fellowship with the Clean Energy Leadership Institute.
Most recently, she served as deputy director at Civix, where she was promoted three times over eight years. In this role, she oversaw a portfolio of projects, supported business development efforts, managed direct reports, and developed operational systems for the firm’s matrixed team structure.
She and her husband live in New York’s Capital Region with their dog, and she continually enjoys exploring all the natural beauty and creativity of the Capital Region, while attempting to live a low-impact lifestyle.
About Highland Planning
Founded in 2007, Highland Planning is a planning and design studio committed to community, innovation, and quality. A certified women-owned business with offices in Buffalo, Rochester, and Albany, the firm implements creative engagement, planning, and design strategies through collaborative partnerships across the northeastern United States. Areas of expertise include comprehensive planning, downtown revitalization, climate resilience and adaptation, public engagement, multimodal transportation planning, and urban design.
Media Contact
Megan Morsch, Director of Marketing and Business Development
585-504-1672
