Recipient: Borough President Antonio Reynoso

Borough President Antonio Reynoso received the Lawrence M. Orton Award for championing the 2025 Comprehensive Plan for Brooklyn, a landmark effort to bring comprehensive, data-driven planning to New York City's largest borough. As Brooklyn Borough President, he has prioritized long-range planning that promotes equitable growth, housing opportunity, and healthier communities. Under his leadership, the plan introduced innovative analytical tools—including the Access to Opportunity Index, a transit-oriented development framework, and housing priority maps—to guide future investment and development decisions. The plan reflects a commitment to replacing piecemeal land use decisions with a cohesive planning framework grounded in research and community input. Borough President Reynoso was recognized for advancing a vision of planning that is proactive, equitable, and capable of shaping Brooklyn's future for generations to come.

Recipient: Daniel Garodnick

Daniel Garodnick received the Paul Davidoff Award for his leadership of City of Yes, the most significant modernization of New York City's zoning code since 1961. As Director of the New York City Department of City Planning, he has led efforts to address the city's housing crisis by expanding opportunities for housing production in every neighborhood while promoting fairness and equity. The award recognizes his role in advancing comprehensive zoning reforms, including City of Yes and subsequent neighborhood rezonings, that seek to distribute housing growth more evenly across the city. His work has required extensive collaboration among city agencies, community boards, elected officials, and advocates to build consensus around transformational policy changes. Garodnick was honored for demonstrating how thoughtful planning and inclusive engagement can produce meaningful, citywide change.

Recipient: Donald Burns

Donald Burns received the Andrew Haswell Green Award in recognition of more than two decades of distinguished service in transportation planning and regional infrastructure. Throughout his career at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, he has played an instrumental role in advancing major transit projects, including the Second Avenue Subway and the Gateway Program, while helping strengthen regional mobility. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Burns has been an active leader within the APA New York Metro Chapter, serving as chapter president and mentoring future generations of planners. He is widely respected for his collaborative leadership style, dedication to public service, and willingness to take on critical responsibilities that move projects and organizations forward. The award recognizes both his lasting contributions to the planning profession and his commitment to improving the New York metropolitan region.

Recipient: Meera Joshi

Meera Joshi received the Mitchell Silver Award for a career dedicated to advancing equity through transportation, infrastructure, and public policy. As a public servant, she has led transformative initiatives ranging from regulating emerging transportation services as Taxi and Limousine Commissioner to overseeing infrastructure, climate, sanitation, and transportation as New York City's Deputy Mayor for Operations. Her leadership has resulted in significant investments in environmental justice, zero-emission transportation, public space improvements, and neighborhood infrastructure, particularly in historically underserved communities. She has consistently demonstrated an ability to combine effective government operations with policies that improve quality of life and expand opportunity. Joshi was recognized for exemplifying the values of equitable planning and public service that define the Mitchell Silver Award.

Recipient: Petra Messick

Petra Messick received the Maxine Griffith Award for her leadership in advancing some of the nation's most significant transportation infrastructure projects. As Senior Program Director for Amtrak's Capital Delivery Department, she has played a central role in developing and implementing the Gateway Program, helping secure funding and guide major projects including the Hudson Tunnel Project and Portal North Bridge. Earlier in her career at the Regional Plan Association, she helped shape national conversations around high-speed rail and regional planning while contributing to planning efforts following September 11. Her work has consistently focused on strengthening regional connectivity, improving transportation resilience, and planning for long-term growth. Messick was honored for her sustained leadership on transformative infrastructure projects that will benefit the New York metropolitan region for decades to come.

Recipient: Patricia Bourne

Patricia Bourne received the William H. Whyte Award for her innovative leadership as Director of Economic Development and Planning for the City of Long Beach. She has guided a wide range of transformative planning initiatives, including major mixed-use redevelopment, coastal resiliency projects, infrastructure modernization, comprehensive planning, zoning reform, and waterfront revitalization. Her work has integrated economic development with resilience planning to strengthen Long Beach's long-term sustainability and quality of life. Bourne has also been successful in securing funding and navigating complex regulatory processes to move critical projects from planning to implementation. She was recognized for applying creativity, strategic vision, and practical leadership to reshape Long Beach's future.

Recipient: Laura Wolf-Powers

Laura Wolf-Powers received the Robert Ponte Award for her contributions to planning as both a scholar and practitioner dedicated to equitable community development. Through her research, teaching, and public policy work, she has focused on the intersection of land use, economic development, housing, and social equity. As a faculty member at Hunter College and previously at Pratt Institute and the University of Pennsylvania, she has helped educate future planners while remaining deeply engaged in community-based planning initiatives. Her scholarship has advanced innovative approaches to inclusive development, affordable housing, and the evolving role of public institutions in creating more equitable cities. Powers was recognized for bridging academic research and professional practice in ways that continue to influence planning policy and inspire future generations of planners.

Recipient: Joseph Szende

Joseph Szende received the Floyd Lapp Award in recognition of his exceptional service to the APA New York Metro Chapter over more than a decade. As Chapter Treasurer, he has strengthened the organization's financial stewardship, helped safeguard its long-term investments, and supported the chapter's continued growth and stability. His leadership has extended well beyond financial management, beginning as a student representative and continuing through years of mentoring emerging planners and supporting chapter initiatives. Szende has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to strengthening both the chapter and the planning profession through volunteer service and leadership. He was honored for his longstanding dedication to the organization and his unwavering commitment to supporting the next generation of planners.