Rabia Ahmed, MES '19
Community Planner
City of Toronto
Sector/Industry: Public
Areas of Expertise
Community Planning
Housing and Development
Civic Engagement & Community Participation
Availability
Tuesday: 6-8pm
Wednesday: 6-8pm
Friday: 4-6pm; 6-8pm
Biography
Rabia has worked in both the private and public sectors, beginning her planning career as a Community Planner with a small firm based in Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories, and more recently with the City of Brampton and the City of Toronto. Rabia has a diversity of experience in land use planning, public engagement and community-based research, having worked on a broad range of projects with communities across the northern territories, British Columbia, and now in development planning within the municipal sector in Ontario. Originally from Hamilton, Rabia has lived and worked in England, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories, and explored many cities and small towns across Turtle Island. In her spare time, Rabia enjoys exploring the outdoors, wandering the city on foot, and listening to people tell their stories.
Christina Ciccone, MES '06 (she/her)
Senior Development Planner, Yonge-Steeles
City of Vaughan
Sector/Industry: Public
Areas of Expertise
Community Planning
Urban Planning/Consulting
Development Approvals
Availability
Monday: 12-2pm
Tuesday: 12-2pm; 2-4pm
Biography
Christina graduated from the MES Program in Planning at York University in 2006. She is a Senior Planner with over 15 years of experience in the world of Planning as a Development Planner. Christina started her career in 2008 in Private Practice, where she worked as a Planner in various private settings including small Planning firms, and large Engineering Firms as well as a secondment to the TTC. Her experience includes high-rise mixed-use developments, draft plans of subdivisions, infill sites, Master Planned Communities and Transit Planning having worked on the TYSSE - Subway Extension to York Region in 2010 as well as the YNSE – Subway Extension along Yonge Street North in Vaughan. More recently, in 2024, Christina joined the Policy Planning and Special Programs Department working on the Yonge-Steeles Program as a Senior Development Planner.
Stephen Closs, MES '19
Senior Consultant, Environment and Planning
Aurecon New Zealand
Sector/Industry: Private
Areas of Expertise
Housing & Development
Urban Planning/Consulting
Infrastructure Planning
Availability
Monday: 4-6pm; 6-8pm
Tuesday: 4-6pm; 6-8pm
Wednesday: 4-6pm; 6-8pm
Thursday: 4-6pm; 6-8pm
Biography
Stephen has held three very different positions in his 6+ year career as a planner. Working as the sole planner for rural municipality, Beckwith Township, for a little over two years, then as a planner working for a small GTA consulting firm, GSAI, on private development projects. Stephen now works for a large engineering firm on infrastructure projects in Auckland, New Zealand.
Tristan Costa, MES '17 (he/him)
Policy Planner
City of Brampton
Sector/Industry: Public
Areas of Expertise
Community Planning
Culture/Heritage Planning
Civic Engagement & Community Participation
Availability
Monday: 10am-12pm; 12-2pm; 4-6pm
Tuesday: 9-10am; 6-8pm
Wednesday: 9-10am; 12-2pm; 4-6pm
Friday: 9-10am; 10am-12pm
Biography
I am currently a Policy Planner at the City of Brampton, working with a team dedicated to delivering on long-range planning projects for the future growth, development and sustainability of the city. Whilst beginning my career at York under the umbrella of an 'Undecided Major", I quickly latched onto the interesting complexities and diversities of cities. What makes my role as a planner special, is building cities for and with people - understanding the daily functionalities and how everyone interacts with cities differently.
Alex Gatien, MES '14 (he/him)
Planner 2
City of Ottawa
Sector/Industry: Public
Areas of Expertise
Transportation Planning
Community Planning
Housing & Development
Availability
Monday: 2-4pm; 4-6pm
Tuesday: 2-4pm; 4-6pm
Wednesday: 4-6pm
Thursday: 2-4pm; 4-6pm
Friday: 2-4pm; 4-6pm
Biography
While I have a background in transportation, I am currently working as a Planner II on the City of Ottawa's new Zoning By-law, where I am responsible for writing bicycle parking provisions, some mixed-use zones and for rural zones, which I never thought I would do. I previously worked as a Planner I in Development Review with the City of Ottawa and as a Development Planner with the City of Cornwall.
Marlon Gullusci, MES ’21
Transportation Planner
City of Toronto
Sector/Industry: Public
Areas of Expertise
Transportation Planning
Availability
Wednesday: 9-10am; 10am-12pm
Friday: 10am-12pm; 2-4pm
Biography
Marlon is a committed and dedicated planner focused on transportation equity and improving urban mobility. He grew up taking the bus for most of his day to day in suburban Brampton and always questioned the reality of inefficient transit systems and the social geographies of inequity. He found planning when pursuing his geography degree and loved the idea of having a role to improve the world around him.
Justin Lee Pack, MES '23
Permits, Licenses, Approvals and Agreements Lead
ONxpress Transportation Partner
Sector/Industry: Private
Areas of Expertise
Environmental Planning
Transportation Planning
Availability
Monday: 6-8pm
Tuesday: 9-10am;
Thursday: 9-10am; 12-2pm;
Friday: 9-10am; 10am-12pm; 12-2pm; 6-8pm
Biography
I had no idea what I wanted to do at the beginning of my undergrad. Initially, I had received acceptance into a psychology program, which wouldn’t last long as my interests changed as quickly as the stock market. Two suspensions later, I got my act together and found a passion in the physical sciences, specifically environmental biology. The way things just connected, how the science of our reality and the social aspects of society affected minor things, was just…interesting.
Just before graduating in 2016, I had landed my first full-time job at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) as a greenspace technician, and just continued my career there. However, eventually the work I was doing wasn’t overly fulfilling, and so I decided to do my masters. Just as I began the MES program at York, I also gained a great opportunity to be a Planner at TRCA in the Infrastructure Planning & Permits department. This gave me exposure to a variety of environmental projects such as the Portlands redevelopment, bridge modifications, stormwater / retention ponds, and culvert projects within the regulatory areas. I also commented on master plans and environmental assessments that are being implemented around Toronto. I eventually got to work on major transportation projects such as Finch West LRT and Eglinton Crosstown. Shortly after graduating, I was recruited to ONxpress, a company that was selected by Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario, to work on the Ontario Corridor. I now lead the environmental permitting process for the entire scope of the project and seeing the stuff I’m involved with get implemented is pretty awesome. Whether you’re set on a career, opening a business or want to achieve FIRE or whatever, it’s your journey.
Stephanie Matveeva, MES '12 (she/her)
Associate
Glen Schnarr and Associates Inc.
Sector/Industry: Private
Areas of Expertise
Community Planning
Housing & Development
Urban Planning/Consulting
Availability
Monday: 10am-12pm; 12-2pm
Tuesday: 10am-12pm; 12-2pm
Wednesday: 10am-12pm; 12-2pm
Thursday: 10am-12pm
Friday: 10am-12pm
Biography
I am a Registered Professional Planner with 10 years' experience in planning and public consultation. I began my planning career in policy and strategic planning, later transitioning to land use and development planning. I currently assist Clients to determine and evaluate development objectives, undertake policy analysis and special research assignments as well as direct a broad range of development applications.
Veronica Osei-Akoto Brown, MES '20
Civil Permits, Licenses, Approvals and Agreements Lead
ONxpress Transportation Partners Inc.
Sector/Industry: Public
Areas of Expertise
Transportation Planning
Community Planning
Urban Planning/Consulting
Availability
Monday: 4-6pm
Friday: 4-6pm
Biography
Veronica Osei-Akoto Brown is a multi-faceted individual who wears many hats. She is a wife, a mother, a valued professional in her field, and a burgeoning business-woman who is also very active in the community. She is currently a Candidate Member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and the Canadian Institute of Planners, where she is working towards becoming a fully licensed Registered Professional Planner. She currently works as a Permits, Licenses, Approvals and Agreements Lead with ONxpress Transportation Partners Inc where she is supporting the expansion of the GO Network across the GTA. As a businesswoman, she is the founder of Dakaari Fragrance House – a perfume brand that features natural fragrances made with essential oils and sugarcane alcohol, and offers custom perfume-making workshops. She is also the founder of Good Idea Reads – a self-publishing agency – through which she has authored and self-published 3 of her own books. Additionally, she is very active in her faith community as a Pastor and within the community at large, particularly within the University of Toronto Black Alumni Association (UTBAA) as the Director of Graduate and Professional Studies Alumni Relations. She loves to read, sing, and spend time with her family. Last, but not least, she finds fulfillment in connecting with people and helping them achieve their professional, relational and business aspirations.
Dwaine Plaza, MES’ 90
Professor of Sociology
Oregon State University
Sector/Industry: Public
Areas of Expertise
Social Policy Development
Immigration/ Race and Ethnic Relations
Availability
Monday: 9am-10am
Tuesday: 9am-10am
Wednesday: 9am-10am
Thursday: 9am-10am
Friday: 9am-10am
Biography
I have lived in Oregon since 1997. It has been a journey from Toronto to Oregon which also went through London and Oxford Brookes University for two years. I have gone through all of the ranks of academia from Assistant Professor to Fully Professor in 2012. I have received a number of teaching and service awards at Oregon State University. I have also been a Department Chair and an Associate Dean over the course of my career.
This will be my 25th year employed at Oregon State University. I often do trainings on Race Relations in the United States focused on the history of White supremacy. I am now in a School of Public Policy which includes Sociology, Economics and Political Science departments. I have a passion for immigration and migration issues. My career has also put me in leadership roles internationally. I was the President of the Caribbean Studies Association in 2013. I am currently the President of Pacific Sociology Association for 2024-25.
Elyssa Pompa, MES '20 (she/her)
Policy Planner
City of Kitchener
Sector/Industry: Public
Areas of Expertise
Environmental Planning
Urban Planning/Consulting
Social Policy Development
Availability
Monday: 4-6pm; 6-8pm
Tuesday: 4-6pm; 6-8pm
Wednesday: 4-6pm; 6-8pm
Thursday: 4-6pm
Biography
Hi, my name is Elyssa and I work as a Policy Planner with the City of Kitchener. I had a circuitous route to planning. After working, traveling and volunteering in my 20’s, I decided to complete my masters in my 30’s. I was initially unsure about the area of planning I wanted to focus on, so I tried on a few hats. I think this brings a more holistic perspective to my work. In the past, I have worked on development applications (official plan amendments, site plans, severances, conservation authority permitting). More recently I worked on a comprehensive zoning bylaw review and housing policy initiatives.
I love to share what I learn with others and be a sounding board for those exploring their career and/or education options.
Victoria White, MES '18
Principal Planner
City of Oshawa
Sector/Industry: Public
Areas of Expertise
Environmental Planning
Community Planning
Policy Planning
Availability
Tuesday: 6-8pm
Wednesday: 6-8pm
Thursday: 6-8pm
Biography
When I began my post-secondary education as an undergraduate student at Dalhousie University, I had no idea what "city planning" was. Fast forward to nearly ten years later, I'm now working as a Principal Planner for a municipality in a role that combines my interests in law and policy, the environment and public health.
Jennifer Wong, MES '10
Manager, Sustainability
City of Markham
Sector/Industry: Public
Areas of Expertise
Community Planning
Community Energy Planning
Civic Engagement & Community Participation
Availability
Monday: 9-10am; 10am-12pm; 12-2pm; 2-4pm; 4-6pm
Tuesday: 9-10am; 10am-12pm; 12-2pm; 2-4pm; 4-6pm
Wednesday: 9-10am; 10am-12pm; 12-2pm; 2-4pm; 4-6pm
Thursday: 9-10am; 10am-12pm; 12-2pm; 2-4pm; 4-6pm
Friday: 9-10am; 10am-12pm; 12-2pm; 2-4pm; 4-6pm
Biography
Jennifer leads the City of Markham’s community energy and sustainability projects that focuses on developing new programs, partnerships and educational campaigns to action on the Citywide objective of net zero emissions by 2050. Jennifer has been a part of the Sustainability & Asset Management Department for over 10 years and developed Markham’s Municipal Energy Plan – Getting to Zero. Her skills in building multi-stakeholder partnerships, strategic communication plans and community engagement continues to strengthen the City’s leadership in sustainability and energy conservation.
