Alison LeFlore, Cecil Group

Boston, MA Alison LeFlore of The Cecil Group, the urban design, planning, and landscape architecture studio of Harriman, has been honored by the American Planning Association - Massachusetts Chapter (APA-MA) with the Young Planner Award. An urban planner for the firm’s Boston office, LeFlore has served on the board of the APA-MA since 2011. She was honored for her achievements at the organization’s annual awards luncheon, which was co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors (MAPD).

The APA-MA Young Planner Award is given to a junior or mid-level young practicing planner who has excelled in leadership, increased the impact of planning in public and private decision making, or enhanced the APA-MA Chapter. LeFlore currently serves on the chapter’s board as secretary, and previously held the position of Young Planners Group (YPG) chair. She has served on the committee for the Southern New England APA (SNEAPA) conference for three years, and created The Emerging Professionals Rebate, which provides financial assistance to early career planners who want to attend the SNEAPA Conference. LeFlore also developed and coordinated a Mentor Match program at the 2015 SNEAPA conference, which pairs new professionals with experienced planners to encourage informal mentoring relationships.

“We are pleased that Alison has been recognized by the other leaders in the Massachusetts planning community for the spark and commitment that she brings to the planning profession,” said Steven Cecil AIA, ASLA, principal at The Cecil Group and Harriman. “We all look forward to the contributions she will make in the years ahead.”

 In her role at The Cecil Group, LeFlore is focused on incorporating sustainability and equity into the general urban planning practice. Her background includes work for private consultants and municipalities. LeFlore’s professional expertise includes urban planning, land use policy and zoning, historic preservation, sustainability, open space planning, and community outreach and engagement. She holds a M.A. in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University.