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Log CM for AICP

Panel Discussion

Upskilling for the Future

Dear Workplace: Burning Questions Answered

Saturday, April 25, 2026

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM CT

Location: HPCC, Room 410AB

CM: .75

Division Endorsement: Planning and the Black Community Division

Moderator and Speaker(s)

Lauren Miller, AICP (she/her/hers)

Executive Director of Development Services
Municipality of Lakeshore
Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Slides

Speaker(s)

JW

Jon Albert West, AICP (he/him/his)

Director: Community Development Division
Georgia Dept Community Affairs
Atlanta, Georgia
Aaron L. Ruffin

Site Selection & Infrastructure Development Lead
OpenAI
Seattle, Washington
Allison C. Stewart-Harris, AICP (she/her/hers)

Associate Principal + Director of Community Planning
Tunnell Spangler Walsh (TSW)
Atlanta, Georgia

The workplace is fast becoming the primary frontline for generational misunderstandings, misaligned expectations, and communication breakdowns. For new planners, navigating this environment can be overwhelming - especially when no one teaches you how to ask for a raise, bring up mental health, or cope when you run out of work at 10 a.m.

A panel of planning leaders from the public and private sectors provides candid, practical answers to the questions emerging professionals face. In situations that range from preparing for interviews to navigating internal conflict, panelists share lessons learned, strategies that work, and perspectives shaped by years of experience.

Gain actionable insights into building stronger relationships at work - and, by extension, in the community you serve. Planners who strengthen communication within their teams become better equipped to foster inclusive, equitable engagement with the public. Leave with increased confidence and a toolkit of strategies to approach tricky conversations with intention, authenticity, and empathy.
Closed Captioning

Learning Objectives:

Recognize workplace dynamics in order to better advocate for your professional and personal needs.
Establish realistic expectations for yourself and your employer to develop a meaningful and achievable career path.
Navigate difficult workplace conversations with confidence and clarity to foster better team dynamics and professional growth.