Lauren Flemister, Community Planning Manager at the Office of Planning and Community Development, has been named Interim Deputy Director of the office. Flemister joined the office in 2018, where she has focused on coordinating station area planning with Sound Transit, as well as expanded focus on prioritizing equitable development in OPCD community planning projects.
“I know Lauren will continue to bring a sense of joy to her work as she takes on this expanded leadership role,” said OPCD Interim Director Rico Quirindongo. “She will help strengthen our storytelling on the wide benefits of our work, especially in BIPOC communities. Lauren is committed to listening to and centering the voices of those whose lives we seek to benefit – which, of course, helps produce better outcomes.”
“As Seattle emerges from COVID-19 and determines how to address the turmoil caused by continued racial inequity and injustice, we must acknowledge that this is an inflection point,” said Flemister. “We must seize this opportunity to shape our work to match our values and follow community’s lead as we build a more equitable city; with access to housing, open space, and economic opportunity. I look forward to working with our incredible OPCD team as we redefine our planning practices to meet this moment.”
Flemister will continue to lead the agency’s Community Planning team.
Before joining the City of Seattle, Flemister worked for the cities of Tacoma and Auburn, and in private sector architecture and planning in Houston. Her academic credentials include an undergraduate Architecture degree from Princeton and three graduate degrees from the University of Texas (Architecture; City and Regional Planning; and Public Affairs).