In this episode of "She's Wild," host Nancy Surak interviews Melissa Zornitta, Executive Director of Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission. Melissa discusses her planning career, emphasizing the evolving nature of plans and the challenges in balancing redevelopment with suburban growth. As the head of long-range planning for Hillsborough County, she oversees comprehensive planning for multiple jurisdictions on a regional level.

In this interview, Melissa highlights the importance of regional coordination and long-term visioning for guiding growth in a large, evolving community like Hillsborough County. She shares insights on the tangible impacts of planning decisions on communities and stresses the need for adaptive planning to address changing trends.

The episode also explores Melissa's career growth, emphasizing the value of professional organizations. Melissa started in planning through an internship, enjoying the policy and local government aspects. Her involvement in the American Planning Association (APA) played a crucial role in her career progression, providing leadership opportunities and skill development through volunteering at local and state levels, culminating in her role as chapter president.

Connect with Nancy:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/nancysurak
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancysurak/
Website: www.nancysurak.com

Connect with Melissa:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-zornitta-4b03897/
The Planning Commission https://planhillsborough.org/
Melissa's Podcast Recommendation: Harvard Business Review Women at Work https://hbr.org/2018/01/podcast-women-at-work

She’s Wild Sound Production by: Luke Surak, Surak Productions: surakproductions@gmail.com