- Deirdre has over 25 years of public sector urban and regional planning and development review experience in Colorado including diverse projects in current and long range planning, Title 32 special district creation, multiagency development review management, TOD planning and federal grant management.
- Deirdre’s professional knowledge and approach to problem solving through appreciative inquiry facilitates positive conversations and progress on her projects, fostering trustworthy and positive relationships with clients.
- Deirdre is dedicated to leveraging her expertise in local government and community development to inform and guide effective application and interpretation of zoning and land use policies to build community and economy.
As a proud Denver native, Deirdre has watched the city meet challenges defined by exponential population growth and diverse development outcomes. She chose her career in part due to experience growing up in a close-knit neighborhood with access to opportunity, good transportation and open space. Deirdre has spent her career dedicated to equitable and sustainable outcomes fostered by collaboration between municipalities, neighborhoods, and development teams.
She launched her career in the private sector with a military planning firm focused on environmental planning needs associated with military base realignments. Passion for community-building and a sustainable future for all compelled her to join the fast-growing communities of Douglas County, Colorado and later the City of Denver where she mastered skills in facilitation, urban, suburban and transit-oriented development planning and review, development agreements, grant management, comprehensive planning, and building external partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions, local neighborhoods, airports and nonprofits. Most recently, she co-led the Large-site Development Review team in the City of Denver focused on identifying and planning for project infrastructure needs associated with catalytic sites throughout the city, maximizing opportunities for collaboration, communication and problem-solving across multiple city agencies to achieve balanced development outcomes.
As part of her professional connections, Deirdre enjoys volunteering with the Urban Land Institute and the American Planning Association and enjoys giving time where needed to local nonprofits. During a four-year career sabbatical, she proudly achieved Team Mom status supporting the volleyball and swim teams at George Washington High School, worked for the international nonprofit Bridges to Prosperity, and launched a bespoke consulting business to help families broaden their world view through travel.
Family is everything. Deirdre’s “why” is centered on her husband Ivan and their two grown humans, son Jordan and daughter Isabelle. The empty nest and COVID brought her two adorable rescue puppies (the kids think they’ve been replaced). Deirdre loves to bicycle and travel and has proudly taught her family to value good urban planning and accessible public transportation in every city they visit.
Education
- Masters in Urban and Regional Planning, University of Colorado at Denver (1995)
- Double Bachelor’s in Sociology and Environmental Studies, Cornell College – Mount Vernon, Iowa (1993)
Professional Memberships
- American Institute of Certified Planners
- American Planning Association
- APA Colorado
- Urban Land Institute
Awards
- Denver Summit Award Superior Performance and Dedication – 2020
- 5281 Award as part of the Denver Livability Partnership – 2013
- 5281 Award as part of the Denver Zoning Code Update Team 2010
- City of Denver Summit Award 2010
- City of Denver Community Planning and Development Employee of the Quarter
- Superior Performance and Dedication Award – 2008