As an Associate at LURA, Geoffrey works closely with clients to enhance connections to the communities they serve. With over ten years of experience in various industries, including education, entertainment, and community organizing, Geoff is passionate about creating livable cities.

A graduate of Trent University’s Political Studies program, Centennial College’s Journalism program, and OCADU’s Digital Media program, he specializes in community outreach and communications, playing a key role in several large infrastructure construction projects. Geoffrey is driven by the belief that cities should be livable, engaging and accessible for everyone.

Hasnaa, a Community Engagement Specialist at LURA, is committed to creating spaces that serve diverse communities through innovative engagement. With a background in urban design, human geography, gender studies, and cultural planning, she excels at connecting different perspectives to achieve inclusive, accessible, sustainable, and equitable futures.

Hasnaa leverages her research, placemaking, public art, and design skills to create spaces that meet the needs of different communities through creative and meaningful engagement strategies. This includes effective communication approaches to provide clear and compelling messaging, connecting diverse perspectives.

As CFO and Partner at LURA, Jamie has over 20 years of experience in financial and business management. He oversees the firm’s day-to-day and long-term financial planning, applying his personal and professional philosophy of strengthening and empowering communities through business.

He has an undergraduate degree from King’s College at the University of Western Ontario. Jamie is naturally entrepreneurial and enjoys coaching his sons’ flag and tackle football teams in his spare time.

With over two decades of experience in public engagement, facilitation, strategy development, process design, and collaborative planning, Liz brings creativity and strategic insight to complex projects across infrastructure, housing, parks, transportation, waterfront development, planning, and policy.

With a Master of Business Administration in Leadership and Sustainability and certification in IAP2’s Foundations and Techniques for Public Participation, Liz actively seeks innovative ways to include diverse voices in decision-making. She is passionate about all aspects of community engagement and often volunteers as a coach and mentor.

For four years at LURA, Mackenzie has supported administrative and financial responsibilities while completing a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree with a minor in Sustainability and a concurrent certificate in Environmental Sustainability at McMaster University. In addition to her administrative role, Mackenzie assists with note-taking and project support, contributing to successfully executing LURA deliverables.

Marissa is a community leader with extensive experience in grassroots organizing, urban planning, and community engagement. Her work, grounded in the Indonesian philosophy of “gotong-royong,” which emphasizes collaborative work, draws on her lived experiences in Germany, Indonesia, and Canada.

Previously, Marissa supported grassroots coalitions, initiated engagement frameworks and advocated for BIPOC newcomers, women, and accessibility within city planning. In her spare time, Marissa explores filmmaking and developing creative projects centered on BIPOC personal journeys.

As a Partner at LURA, Michelle brings over two decades of leadership in organizational assessment, facilitation, and community engagement. She supports communities in participating in the decision-making processes that affect their futures. Michelle works on complex, multi-stakeholder projects closely connected to understanding and serving community needs. Michelle’s private sector legal practice background also complements her work for municipalities, government ministries, and private sector clients.

Michelle holds a Master of Arts in Political Science, Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School and is a Canadian Certified Inclusion Professional.

Nico combines his urban planning and graphic communications background to create accessible, inclusive and effective community engagement strategies. He specializes in transportation, housing policy, environmental sustainability, and civic engagement, supporting communities through large infrastructure, development, and research projects.

At LURA, Nico plays a critical role in helping communities navigate transformational infrastructure works while ensuring project timelines and goals are met.

As a partner at LURA, Susan is an accomplished collaborative planner and engagement specialist with over two decades of experience. With a Master’s in Environmental Studies and certification in IAP2’s Foundations and Techniques for Public Participation, she leads LURA’s sustainability and climate change practice, designing processes that reflect community values.

Known for her strategic insights into process design, systems thinking, thematic analysis, project leadership, and facilitation skills, Susan has led processes at national, provincial, and municipal levels, driving complex long-range planning projects to success.

Vincent is an experienced engagement specialist with a background in urban design, planning, and human geography. He is passionate about fostering inclusive, accessible, vibrant communities supporting sustainable living, working, and recreational spaces. He has worked on a range of projects, including transportation master plans, strategic planning, parks and public realm projects. Vincent believes in the power of engagement—to ensure projects serve the needs of all community members.

Zoie is an experienced facilitator specializing in arts-based, community-engaged projects across diverse Greater Toronto Hamilton Area neighbourhoods. She believes art can be a powerful tool for social dialogue in urban planning. With a background in urban planning and public administration, Zoie’s projects have focused heavily on affordable housing and mixed-income communities.

She has over 12 years of managerial experience, including outdoor arts-engaged programming and collaborative community development, and specializes in facilitation, project management, research, and reporting.

Joanna is a business manager at LURA, bringing six years of experience and over a decade of expertise in corporate operations, finance, and systems improvement. Joanna contributes to streamlining processes and providing exceptional service to our clients and team alike.

She holds a degree in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Ottawa, Nursing at the University of Ottawa, Nursing at Mohawk College (Mohawk-McMaster Institute of Applied Health Sciences), has specialized training in Maternal/Newborn Care from George Brown College and played a key role in LURA’s Sustainable Hamilton/BurlingtonSilver Sustainability Partner Designation in 2016.

Emily is a Project Manager and experienced facilitator with over ten years of experience delivering complex community and stakeholder engagement initiatives. She works with a wide variety of partners to design inclusive processes, guide meaningful dialogue, and support projects from early planning through implementation.

With a background in social justice and experience in the political sphere, she brings a strong understanding of systems, policy and community dynamics. Her work is grounded in fostering equitable engagement and advancing long term, sustainable community change.

Emily specializes in stakeholder engagement, facilitation, project management and community based research.