Women in Planning and Development

Women in Planning and Development WP&D is an organization for women working in all areas of planning and development in Chicago.

WP+D is an organization for women working in all areas of planning and development in the Chicagoland area to network, learn job skills and strengthen professional relationships. Our members work in several fields including architecture, consulting, economic development, government, non-profit, education, environmental planning, finance, housing, law, marketing, planning, real estate, construction, and transportation. WP+D’s programs and events aim to appeal to senior professionals and those just entering the field.

The Midwest’s ultimate Festival of Construction is right around the corner. Will you be there?Chicago Build returns to M...
10/09/2026

The Midwest’s ultimate Festival of Construction is right around the corner. Will you be there?

Chicago Build returns to McCormick Place on October 28-29, bringing together thousands of professionals from across construction, design, real estate and the built environment.

Need a reason to join us? Here are five!
1️⃣ Meet 350+ leading exhibitors: Discover the latest products, technologies and solutions across construction, design, HVACR, AI, fire safety and more.
2️⃣ Network with the people that matter: Connect with contractors, architects, engineers, developers and decision-makers at dedicated networking events and parties.
3️⃣ Explore 9 conference tracks: Hear discussions on the projects, technology and trends shaping Chicago and the wider Midwest.
4️⃣ Discover three brand-new zones: Explore the AI & Digital Construction, Fire Safety & Security and HVACR Zones, bringing together companies driving innovation across the industry.
5️⃣ Hear from 450+ speakers: Learn from CEOs, founders, senior project leaders and industry experts sharing practical insight, trends and lessons from the field.

So, what are you waiting for? Tickets are free in advance at forms.reg.buzz/chicago-build-expo-2026/wpd, and $99 onsite.

There’s plenty happening across two packed days, so now’s a great time to start planning your visit. View the Show Preview at chicagobuildexpo.com/show-guide.

Join SECC for Anchored for Impact!The South East Chicago Commission invites you to the 8th Annual South Side Connection ...
10/07/2026

Join SECC for Anchored for Impact!

The South East Chicago Commission invites you to the 8th Annual South Side Connection Regional Economic Development Symposium this Friday, October 9, 2026, at the David Rubenstein Forum.

Join business, civic, community, and institutional leaders for a morning of meaningful conversations focused on investment, partnership, and economic opportunity across Chicago’s South and Southeast Sides.

Complimentary registration can be found at secc-chicago.org/symposium.

Do you work in planning, policy, development, transportation, community development, or advocacy, or are you simply inte...
10/07/2026

Do you work in planning, policy, development, transportation, community development, or advocacy, or are you simply interested in the future of equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD) in our region?

Then you're going to want to save the date for "Bridging Policy and Practice: Equitable Transit-Oriented Development in Chicago"!

📅 Thursday, November 5
🕗 6:00-8:00 PM
📍Chaddick Institute (14 E Jackson Blvd, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60604)

WPD's fall professional development event will convene:
1️⃣ A panel of practitioners working at the intersection of transit, development, and equity
2️⃣ An audience of peers across government, policy, community development, engineering, advocacy, and more
3️⃣ You!

Join us as we discuss how policy, planning, community engagement, and transit investment can work together to create more equitable outcomes for neighborhoods -- and explore how NITA may shape what comes next in the region.

More details to come, and registration page opening soon. Stay tuned!

Join us for a Small Talks lunch with Şevin Yıldız, assistant professor in the Urban Planning and Policy Department at th...
09/29/2026

Join us for a Small Talks lunch with Şevin Yıldız, assistant professor in the Urban Planning and Policy Department at the University of Illinois Chicago! Researching ecological and spatial planning in the context of metropolitan regions and climate change, Şevin applies her knowledge base across Chicago -- serving on the River Ecology Task Force for the Chicago Department of Planning, advising on the Urban Wildlife Information Network at the Lincoln Park Zoo, and leading an ecological design studio for the Master of City Design program. Come connect with WPD and Şevin at Sterling Food Hall on October 8th (and be sure to ask her about her new book, "Neither Land nor Water: Planning through Fringe Ecologies in the Meadowlands (1896-2020)")!

📅 Thursday, October 8
🕗 12:00-1:00 PM
📍Sterling Food Hall (Loop, 125 S Clark St, Chicago, IL 60603)
🎟️ RSVP at wpdchicago.com/events

If you’re attending the APA-IL 2026 State Conference this year, be sure to check out WP&D’s panel on Friday, October 2nd...
09/25/2026

If you’re attending the APA-IL 2026 State Conference this year, be sure to check out WP&D’s panel on Friday, October 2nd from 3:30–4:30 PM!

"Through the Decades: 30+ Years of Women Shaping Planning" will feature past and current WP&D board members sharing their experiences as women across generations and different stages of their planning careers. Stick around afterward to continue the conversation at WP&Drinks! 👩‍💼🥂

We’ll be at Tapas Barcelona (1615 Chicago Ave, Evanston) from 5–7 PM for drinks, appetizers, networking, and more conversation with the WP&D community. 🥘

Not attending the conference? No problem! You’re still welcome to join us at Tapas Barcelona for WP&Drinks.

WP&D will cover appetizers; drinks are on attendees. RSVP at wpdchicago.com/events.

We hope to see you at the panel, WP&Drinks, or both! ✨

09/25/2026

Our Fall 2026 Newsletter is now live! Give it a read and check out our updates at wpdchicago.com/about.

We had a great time at Buttercup, thanks to all who joined us for another round of WP&Drinks! Stay tuned for our next ev...
09/25/2026

We had a great time at Buttercup, thanks to all who joined us for another round of WP&Drinks! Stay tuned for our next event.

Swipe to say goodbye to our 2025-2026 board, and say hello to our 2026-2027 board! We thank the previous board for their...
09/21/2026

Swipe to say goodbye to our 2025-2026 board, and say hello to our 2026-2027 board! We thank the previous board for their work and contributions to WP&D and look forward to the events, memories, and professional opportunities the new board has in store. Check out our website under "About" to learn more about our incoming team.

This just in: our next WP&Drinks event will be at the APA-IL Conference! 💫WP&D will be at this year's APA-IL State Confe...
09/18/2026

This just in: our next WP&Drinks event will be at the APA-IL Conference! 💫

WP&D will be at this year's APA-IL State Conference? Will you? 👩‍💼

Join us for our "Through the Decades: 30+ Years of Women Shaping Planning" panel on Friday, October 2nd from 3:30-4:30 PM, then come continue the conversation at Tapas Barcelona (1615 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60201) from 5-7 PM. 🥘

Not attending the conference? You can still come to Tapas Barcelona for networking, connections, and drinks! 🥂 WPD will cover appetizers, and drinks are on attendees.

RSVP at wpdchicago.com/events. We hope to see you there!

Join us for lunch with Charlotte Obodzinski, AICP, Department Manager of the Priority Project Management Office at Pace ...
09/16/2026

Join us for lunch with Charlotte Obodzinski, AICP, Department Manager of the Priority Project Management Office at Pace Bus! Come to break bread with us and Charlotte, and stay to connect over her experience in transportation, including overseeing the implementation of Pace’s rapid transit initiatives, advancing facility planning efforts that support the agency’s transition to a zero-emission fleet, and taking “transit adventures” around Chicagoland. Come mingle, learn, and be inspired alongside fellow WP&D members!

📅 Tuesday, September 29
🕗 12:00-1:00 PM
📍 Urbanspace Food Hall (Loop, 316 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60606)
🎟️ RSVP at https://www.wpdchicago.com/events

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