Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area welcomes new Planning and Development Manager

TORONTO, April 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area is proud to announce and welcome Leigh Sherkin as the organization's new Planning and Development Manager. Sherkin will be responsible for the leadership and direction of all Planning and Development projects with the Downtown Yonge area and will ensure they have the most positive impact on the Downtown Yonge Community.

She joins the BIA team from The Urban Planning Company as the founding manager, specializing in urban planning, community engagement and regeneration with international partners. Sherkin has extensive international experience in Policy Development, Planning and Implementation of transportation and enhancement projects in the public realm and has managed multi-disciplinary teams from conceptual design to technical drawings to construction stages.  During her successful tenure she not only delivered on critical projects but provided advice for major development projects, managed the bid process and successfully sought funding opportunities with key partner engagements.

Sherkin has over 5 years of experience in Policy Development, Planning and Design and Project Management and Research.  She has worked for the City of London, UK managing urban design strategies for the Barbican and Liverpool Street areas strategy.  She has a MSc. International Planning and Development from Cardiff University, Cardiff UK and a BA Political Science, Urban Systems Geography & Environment from McGill University in Montreal Canada.

"I am thrilled to join the Downtown Yonge team. It's a fantastic opportunity to improve the heart of the city. I'm excited to build on the BIA's previous achievements and work closely with our partners to deliver high quality streets and delightful urban experiences," said Sherkin.

Mark Garner the Executive Director and Chief Staffing Officer of the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area said, "We are very excited to welcome Leigh to our team here at the BIA.  She brings a vast array of skills to the organization which will enable us to execute some of the critical projects we need to implement and take the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area to new levels, for the benefit of our membership and the greater Toronto community."

SOURCE: Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area

Information Contact:
Mark Garner
Executive Director and Chief Staffing Officer
416.597.0255 x225
[email protected]