Meredith Perks is an Associate Planner at Vandewalle & Associates, Inc. She brings to the team a unique combination of on-the ground professional experience, and a deep love of her city.
As a transplant to the Midwest she is excited by the opportunities communities across the region have to grow and reinvent themselves using tools of effective planning that can prepare their economies, residents, and institutions for the future.
Meredith has an avid interest in planning, public service, local community and economic development, downtown redevelopment, active transportation plans.
Having worked in the past as Regional Director for Senator Joe Donnelly, Meredith traveled to communities across Indiana and learned about their unique assets and character as well as the innovative approaches they were taking to face their challenges. These interactions provided valuable perspective on the constraints that cities of all sizes experience. She continues such work at Vandewalle & Associates where she aims to assist Midwest communities like these in in overcoming such barriers.
Active transportation plans are a particular passion for Meredith; she has worked on Complete Streets projects in Chicago and with the Chicago Department of Transportation Bike Program.
Applying her experience with community outreach and public speaking, Meredith is skilled at effectively facilitating an inclusive planning process that is meaningful to a wide range of stakeholders and clients, including elected officials, non-profit advocacy groups, and community residents. She has proven herself to be an active and engaged listener who can consider diverse viewpoints while developing targeted alternatives to address interrelated economic development, land use, and transportation priorities.
EDUCATION
Master of Urban Planning and Policy
University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, The Hesburgh Program of Public Service
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
MEMBERSHIPS, AWARDS
- Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
- Leadership South Bend Mishawaka Emerging Leaders Program
- Neighborhood Resource Corporation Neighborhood Leadership Academy
- Nominated to Michiana Forty Under 40
VOLUNTEERISM
- Bike the Bend Planning Committee
- Joe Donnelly for Indiana
- Joe Donnelly for Congress
- South Bend Center for the Homeless Young Professionals Against Poverty
- Students for New Urbanism