Candidate Statement: Vanitha Murthy AICP PTP

Vanitha brings a unique blend of experiences and unwavering dedication to the planning field. As an immigrant woman of color and a pioneering first-generation planner and engineer, her journey reflects resilience and innovation. She aspires to join the board as Vice President to amplify her commitment to integrate diversity, inclusion, and equity as the organic foundation for better planning and also to build better bridges of cooperation to empower professionals in technology, public health, community development, engineering, and other discipline to come together in an inclusive environment that fosters healthy discussions to integrate these areas and elevate the planning field. One of her core passions is promoting equity in planning. Her advocacy for inclusive planning extends nationally, collaborating with planners from different states to develop equitable curricula for high school students. She has played a pivotal role in developing resources and glossaries focused on equity and inclusion in Oregon. Vanitha's extensive involvement in professional organizations, such as APA and TRB, showcases her dedication to advancing sustainable transportation modes and climate resilience. She actively volunteers to organize webinars on Zero Auto Ownership and Electric Vehicles. Her commitment to mentorship is evident through her active involvement with emerging planners and mentoring programs. She inspires young professionals to pursue their passions and excel in their careers. Vanitha's journey embodies her unwavering dedication to inclusive and sustainable urban planning, making her an invaluable asset to the board. She will tirelessly champion equity, diversity, and collaboration, driving the planning field toward a more inclusive and just future.

Vanitha's professional journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in urban planning as an immigrant woman of color and a pioneering first-generation planner and engineer. With graduate degrees in city and regional planning and another graduate degree in public administration from Ohio State University, she embarked on her professional journey in Atlanta, where her unique background and upbringing shaped her path. Coming from a family of musicians and educators, Vanitha was instilled with a deep appreciation for creativity, excellence, and mentorship. Recognizing her innate qualities as an innovator, brought about by family relocations, she pursued a unique career trajectory in the public and private sectors that led her through various roles in transportation planning, environmental work, traffic analysis, public transit grant program administration, and public involvement, including diversity and inclusion.

Vanitha's formative experiences in the 1990s, working within multicultural environments at a university's Office of Human Relations, deeply ingrained in her the profound impact of diversity in fostering innovation and creativity and sowed the seeds of her unwavering commitment to professional excellence and the pivotal role of mentorship. Her career trajectory encompassed diverse sectors, from private planning firms to a government role within the Georgia Department of Transportation. During her tenure as a vendor, she diligently refined her proficiency in grant management and the art of crafting compelling Requests for Proposals (RFPs). After relocating to Oregon, Vanitha continued her career within the Long Range Planning Unit of the Transportation Planning Division of ODOT in 2007. In this capacity, she made substantial strides in supporting public involvement activities in transportation planning and developing crucial guidance documents.

Mentoring aspiring planners became a passion for Vanitha, evident in her active involvement with the Emerging Planners Group and her role on the APA Board, where she tirelessly advocates for expanding opportunities for young professionals. Vanitha's extensive involvement in professional organizations goes beyond participation; she catalyzes change. As a certified AICP, a newly elected Board Member At Large for OAPA, and an independent, certified, experienced transportation planning practitioner, her work at the intersection of transportation planning, sustainability, and equity is transformative. Her commitment to inclusive planning transcends state borders as she continues partnering with planners in California and Illinois to begin creating an equitable curriculum for high school students. Within the Oregon APA, she has played a vital role in assisting with developing a racial equity-focused glossary and resources guide.

Vanitha's contributions extend to the Transportation Research Board, where she evaluates papers, co-authors publications, and supports curriculum development for transportation field students relevant to community engagement in transportation decision-making. She has also been a member of the CAPP program team assisting in Lane County's recovery efforts following wildfires, served as one in an editorial team helping in the seminal publication of the 2022 State of Transportation Planning Report, and served as the Oregon delegate for the 2022 publication of the Equity in Zoning policy guide. In 2023, Vanitha assumed the role of Program Committee Chair for the Conference Program Committee in Eugene, coordinating a team of six accomplished planners centering equity. She also serves on the national APA's Public School and Communities Division Program Committee, currently focused on webinars with a holistic view of Vision Zero and Safe Routes to School webinar coordinating planners nationwide. Beyond the APA, Vanitha chairs the Sustainability Standing Committee within the Oregon Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), promoting sustainable transportation modes and actively participating in initiatives to reduce emissions. Vanitha aims to build on Oregon APA's existing framework and work alongside outstanding leadership to accelerate change, fostering equity-centered communities that celebrate planners' collective efforts and advance good planning practices.