Katy Welter '09 Selected as Member of 2012 Next American Vanguard Class

From americancity.org:

Just two weeks after we collected nearly 200 applications for this year’s Next American Vanguard class, we’ve selected 43 people whose bright ideas for cities, experience in the field and ambition for the future all show great promise. Coming from 24 cities, this group will be assembling in St. Louis in October, along with past members of the Vanguard for workshops, tours and panel discussions about how to improve American cities. A host committee, led by the Partnership for Downtown St. Louis, and including members from HOK, STLStyle, Preservation Research Office, McCormick Baron Salazar and others, has graciously lent time and support to make the event a success.
What insights can be drawn from this year’s class? More than ever, our Vanguard class works for robust private and non-profit organizations and government, rather than community development corporations. While many of our Vanguard class members work for large organizations, many got hooked on having an impact on their city with blogs and other local projects of their own. So we’re seeing a formalization of young urbanists, with new pathways toward influence. In past years we’ve seen certain trends like sustainability, urban agriculture and social entrepreneurship show up in the applicant pool; this year, for whatever reason, we saw many people working in planning, technology, design. Perhaps this reflects renewed interest in placemaking and our continued love affair with digital technology...
Katy Welter
Chicago, Ill.
Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice, Law and Policy Analyst, Criminal Justice Project Manager