Director, Planning Division, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission

Patty Elkis has a distinguished planning career spanning 30 years, leading innovative projects and inspiring others.  She directs a staff of 38 at DVRPC doing long-range planning for transportation, smart growth, the environment, and economic development.  Patty’s innovative work includes Return on Environment, groundbreaking research on the economic value of open space, and several other major open space preservation initiatives; DVRPC’s Healthy Communities Task Force; and Municipal Actions to Improve Water Quality.  Patty is a planning advocate on a number of boards and committees, such as ULI’s Philadelphia Chapter.  And, she has been generous sharing time and knowledge with DVRPC staff and other planners.