Dara Osher, AICP-C (Candidate for Vice-President for Communications)
Professional Experience:
Michael Baker International, Transportation Planner (March 2019 – present)
- Collect and analyze transportation and other data as well as conduct stakeholder engagement and outreach to fulfill a variety of project requirements
- Create compelling Adobe InDesign report layouts, maps, and Adobe Illustrator graphic outputs for use in client deliverables, reports, and presentations
- Assemble aesthetically pleasing ArcGIS Online (AGOL) map deliverables that can be privately accessed by clients via an easy-to-use, interactive online platform
- Design and edit maps, regional trip marketing materials, and brochures using ESRI ArcMap, Adobe InDesign, and Microsoft Publisher software
- Assist with language selection, research, technical appendix writing, and execution of tasks for the 2018 Strategic Plan Update and Implementation Guide
Educational Background:
- Master of Science in Planning and Master Of Science, Urban And Regional Planning, International Affairs, Florida State University (2016 – 2019)
- Bachelor of Arts, International and Area Studies, New College of Florida (2009 – 2013)
APA Florida/APA Experience:
APA Florida Chapter, Capital Area Section, Executive Board Emerging Planners Group (EPG) Representative (September 2019 – Present)
- Plan social events, scavenger hunts, happy hours, and other gatherings to encourage networking and the exchange of ideas between established and emerging planners in Tallahassee
- Region III Student Representative (January 2018 – December 2019)
- Coordinated and collaborated with Executive Committee Chair and other Regional Representatives to ensure APA’s more than 10,000 planning student members are represented in National APA decision-making and strategic planning
- Managed content and design while serving on the Communications Committee for monthly SRC First Friday E- newsletter
- Lead design overhaul of the SRC First Friday E-Newsletter (now called the Student Scoop) to capture open rates and attract more readers; presented latest data analytics to the SRC
- Attended leadership meetings at the 2018 and 2019 APA Policy and Advocacy Conference as well as at NPC18 and NPC19, duties included organizing SRC and Communications Committee presentation and meeting materials
Position Statement
Within the field of planning, there is no greater sense of community than what APA as an institution offers to its membership. As Region III Representative for the APA SRC Executive Committee, I was elected to represent the planning student organizations (PSO) and PSO representatives at colleges and universities within Region III: Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Through this experience, I learned how APA national, the chapters, and the divisions interact and function as well as the importance of consistency and messaging in upholding the mission of the organization. I contributed to and presented at several pre-conference national leadership meetings within APA and was involved in many strategic planning meetings, especially pertaining to new student members. On the SRC Communications Committee, I managed the content, design, and overhaul of a monthly e-newsletter to APA’s student representative members, which now allows the SRC to track readership.
As Vice-President for Communications for APA Florida, I will work to further engage student members and emerging professionals in contributing to chapter and section level publications, website content, and other messaging. I will work directly with planning universities around the state to incorporate and highlight graduate and undergraduate student research and achievements that contribute to the field of planning.