It is my distinct honour to be the newly appointed Secretary-General and Trustee for the Commonwealth Association of Planners as we embark upon our 50th Anniversary. Congratulations to all that have contributed to this hallmark event and all the extraordinary work that has been accomplished over the years. I particularly want to recognize Clive Harridge our out-going Secretary-General for his 10 years of service. Through his leadership, our organization is in a strong position and ready to seize the opportunities ahead.

First, like all of you, I am passionate about planning! I simply could not have chosen a better profession to satisfy my love for learning. I am a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) and a Member of the Canadian Institute of planners (MCIP).  I have extensive experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. I have worked with all orders of government over the past twenty-five years. My work has covered a variety of fields including community planning; international development; public policy; economic development; human service integration; public administration as well as land use planning and development. In these roles I have had lead responsibility to bridge government and community need to deliver high quality plans, programs and services.

I am employed by the Government of Saskatchewan as Executive Director for Northern Property Management with the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement. Prior to this, I served as Director Community and Client Services with the Ministry of Social Services and held the portfolio for providing services to those living with disabilities. I have held numerous other portfolios including the Director of Housing Policy and Program Development and Coordinator of Human Service Integration.  In addition, my partner and I own a boutique planning company that has provided a broad range of planning and research services for close to 20 years.

I have been volunteering within the planning profession for close to 25 years. In June 2020, I concluded a 4-year term on the CIP Board of Directors. Prior to this, I was nominated Co-Chair of the FutureFORWARD Task Force. In 2015, we delivered a report, adopted by the Board, that recommended a new governance and financial framework to sustain CIP and advance the values of planning in Canada for generations to come. This effort received CIP’s highest honour – the President’s Award.

In 2004, I co-led a small delegation from the City of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada to undertake an international training mission to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago through the CIP International Program. Over the course of the next few years, we returned five- times to work with the State Government and City of Port of Spain to create a Local Area Plan for the Gonzales neighbourhood. This process was modelled after an award-winning program we pioneered in Pleasant Hill, a core neighbourhood in Saskatoon.

This international project was an overwhelming success. In 2006, to commemorate our achievement, residents and planners from Gonzales and Pleasant Hill along with our delegation presented our work at the CIP Conference. Together, we attended the World Urban Forum 3. We shared how we have different geography, political structures, and economies, but ultimately, we have a common vision to improve the quality of life for all people, especially marginalized populations where systemic barriers prevent access to the same infrastructure, services, and opportunities.

I have been looking for a volunteer opportunity to re-engage in international planning. When I was elected to the CIP board in 2016, I represented the Board on our former International Relations and Initiatives Committee. In this role, I contributed to the Commonwealth Women in Planning Manifesto and remain a member of the Women in Planning network. While on the committee, I had the opportunity to represent the CIP President at a few CAP and Global Planners Network (GPN) meetings. In 2018, I presented in New York at the American Planning Institute (API) conference on behalf of the CiP President at the International President’s Plenary on the theme of “Planning in a Time of Uncertainty.” I understand the caliber of work required to represent our respective countries and the professional expectations for CAP on the international stage.

The Secretary-General role is a unique opportunity to bring my skills and experience to help advance cooperation within the Commonwealth, exchange professional information and skills, and advance the planning profession.

I am committed to CAP’s vision “to be the recognized and respected champion of planning for sustainable human settlements in the Commonwealth.” Further, I am excited to help advance the profession’s capacity to contribute to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and New Urban Agenda, strengthening member engagement, maintaining a sound financial position by providing value to our member organizations, and refreshing our governance policy framework.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with you and welcome you to reach out to me any time with your ideas, input, and feedback. Member engagement is important to me so I will be looking for opportunities to reach out to you too.

Until then, I wish you and your family wellness in the days ahead.

Warmest regards,Kelley Moore, MA, RPP, MCIP

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kelley-moore-5b70085  Twitter: @ExpectmooreYXE