Hello! My name is Stephanie Brown and I am excited for the chance to serve the Illinois Chapter in
the role of President as we work to elevate urban planning throughout the state. As a volunteer
with APA-IL since 2008, I have enjoyed working alongside colleagues to create programming and
professional development opportunities. As a professional, I have worked in both the public and
private sectors for more than 15 years assisting communities from Rock Island to Murphysboro and a
multitude in between. I have contracted with communities across the Midwest to draft holistic plans
and design more effective, fun spaces. I have a passion for community engagement and an ability to
connect with people which has allowed residents to take ownership in tailoring their towns. I am
motivated by a desire to help others envision and implement a better place to live and work. My
specialties include community engagement, downtown revitalization, historic preservation planning,
master planning, community development, parks and recreation planning, GIS, grant writing, and
creating/ implementing municipal regulatory tools. My experiences have given me the ability to bring
people together by identifying common ground and understanding. In a time that seems very
polarizing, we as planners are armed with unique tools and resources to metaphorically, and quite
literally, build our communities up.