05/16/2024

Paula Freeze

Executive Director

Paula Freeze serves as a Research Specialist with the Center for Governmental Studies (CGS) at Northern Illinois University (NIU). She has over 25 years of experience in planning, local government, communications, and non-profit management. At CGS, Paula works with the Association Management, Civic Leadership Academy, and Community & Economic Development teams.

Through CGS, she serves as the Executive Director of the American Planning Association - Illinois Chapter (APA-IL). In addition to her roles at NIU, Paula also serves on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Urban & Regional Planning Alumni Advisory Council and the Midwest Leadership Institute Advisory Board. Paula holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Urban Planning and Public Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In 2022, Paula was awarded the APA-IL's Distinguished Service Award.