Candidate for Vice President for Membership & Outreach Services Sofia Garantiva, AICP

My involvement with APA Florida has played a major role in preparing me for this position. I began serving as an Emerging Planners Group Ambassador for the Treasure Coast Section in 2018, later served as Chapter EPG Chair, and have continued in leadership roles since then, including Hillsborough County Area Director and Host Committee Co-Chair of the 2024 Florida Planning Conference.

One of the most rewarding parts of my APA involvement has been building relationships with planners across Florida and learning from the ideas, experiences, and creativity they bring to the profession and their communities.

Professionally, I serve as a long-range land use planner in the Tampa Bay region, where much of my work involves bringing together local governments, agencies, consultants, residents, and stakeholders to navigate complex projects collaboratively. Earlier in my career, working in the private sector gave me experience with a wide range of communities and planning issues that continue to inform my work today.

Across both my APA and professional experiences, I've found that people stay engaged when they feel connected, supported, and able to see value in their participation. I d like to help continue building that sense of community across APA Florida.

What are the three most important challenges facing APA Florida?

I think some of the biggest challenges facing APA Florida are helping planners stay connected across a large and diverse state, supporting members as the profession continues to evolve, and demonstrating the value of planning to our members, elected and appointed officials, community partners, and the public. There's great work happening across Florida, and one of APA Florida's strengths is bringing planners together to share ideas, lessons learned, and successes across regions and practice areas. Continuing to strengthen those connections and highlight the small wins that make a difference in our communities will be important moving forward.

What do you most want to accomplish during your term?

During my term, I d like to strengthen connections across APA Florida while creating approachable ways for members to stay involved. I want APA Florida to remain a place where planners can build relationships, find mentorship, and stay connected to the profession. I d also like to encourage more collaboration with adjacent professional organizations and community partners to expand learning and service opportunities. Ultimately, I'd like more members to take advantage of the relationships, resources, and opportunities available through APA Florida, find value in their membership, and better understand the impact our profession can have in communities across the state.

How would you make sure your efforts are successful?

For me, success starts with listening. I'd work closely with chapter leaders and members to understand what is working well and where there are opportunities to strengthen connections, engagement, and the overall member experience. I believe in building on the foundation that already exists within APA Florida, helping members connect with opportunities that fit their interests and availability, increasing awareness of APA Florida resources, and making it easier for people to stay engaged. Where gaps exist, I'd explore new approaches. Success would be reflected in stronger connections across the chapter and more members finding value in their membership and participation.