May 31, 2024
After 32 years at DVRPC, Deputy Executive Director Patty Elkis is retiring at the end of June. She took the time to answer some questions about her career, the field of planning, and what she’s looking forward to in retirement.
What got you into planning? As an undergrad, I majored in Anthropology, being especially interested in studying different cultures and the way people ordered their lives. I did not know about the field of planning until I was exploring graduate programs and discovered the City and Regional Planning Program at Penn. At the time, the program had a concentration in “appropriate technology for developing countries,” which struck me as like “applied anthropology.” Plus, I love cities, so planning turned out to be a perfect fit. I worked abroad for a bit, came back and worked at Montgomery County Planning Commission and SEPTA, and then landed at DVRPC.
What are your responsibilities as Deputy Executive Director? Supporting the Executive Director, I help run the agency, which touches budgeting, the work, the culture, and external relationships. Specifically, I coordinate the Regional Technical Committee, which vets everything that goes to the Board, and I’m the point person for the annual development of the Work Program, too. Of course, it takes a village to accomplish all the work. It’s always a team effort, and I am lucky to work with fantastic colleagues!
What are some current trends or challenges that you see shaping the field of urban planning today? Today, there is more emphasis on using technology for outreach, analysis, and design. Use of technology is a big help, so long as it never takes the place of actual field work and in-person meetings.
How is the IIJA impacting our work? We used to lament the lack of available funding. Now, there generally is funding out there. It's a matter of having the wherewithal to successfully access and manage the funding. And elevating disadvantaged communities’ access to funding is a big concern that we are continuously working on, too.
What has been the biggest change, either in the planning field or at DVRPC, since you started? When I started in planning, we would do a plan, and then move on to the next plan. Now, there is increased attention to building in more meaningful public input and more emphasis on implementing the recommendations of plans. Both approaches offer better opportunities to develop deeper relationships, to build lasting coalitions, and to get more accomplished in a way that reflects what communities want.
Do you have any advice for new planners or people looking to get involved with planning? Planning is a wonderful career because it is always interesting, varied, and evolving. It involves getting to know lots of communities and like-minded professionals, and the end result is a positive impact on the built environment that we live in–what could be better?
If you could go back in time to when you first started at DVRPC and give yourself one piece of guidance, what would it be? Don’t be afraid–attend events, meet people, absorb information, engage in conversations, take risks, and make connections! I was pretty shy when I started, somewhat of a late bloomer.
Do you have any favorite projects or initiatives? I spent a good chunk of my career working on promoting open space and natural resource preservation, and really connected with the people, process, and purpose. A favorite past project is the Return on Environment reports that quantified the economic values of protected open space. We used the messaging to change the dialogue about preserving open space as a benefit, not just an expense. More recently, I have been working on clean water strategies such as The Water Table, a program bringing water resource professionals from different sectors together to find alignments that improve water quality. I loved developing these initiatives from the ground up.
What are you most looking forward to doing in retirement? Traveling, reading, taking classes, cooking, volunteering, practicing more yoga, and spending time with family and friends.
Is there anything else you’d like to share? I feel so fortunate to have spent the bulk of my career at DVRPC, working with so many caring, dedicated, smart, creative people.