Melissa Kaplan-Macey is responsible for engaging stakeholders and building support for RPA’s programs to expand economic opportunity, improve infrastructure and adapt to climate change across the region and is responsible for leading RPA’s research, planning and advocacy activities in Connecticut. An expert in land use planning and community engagement, Melissa has extensive experience in building collaborative relationships with community partners in order to leverage resources and create actionable policy.

She currently manages a coalition of Connecticut’s largest urban centers to advance a Cities Agenda for Connecticut and plays a leadership role with Fairfield County’s Center for Housing Opportunity to advance the production and preservation of affordable housing in Connecticut. She served as Co-chair of Governor Lamont’s transition transportation policy committee, serves on Governor Lamont’s Fairfield County Transit Oriented Development Taskforce, and is on the board of the Town of Mamaroneck Housing Authority.

Prior to joining RPA, Melissa was principal of Collaborative Planning Studio and, previously, was a senior associate at BFJ Planning. Melissa is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, holds a master’s degree in urban planning from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service and a bachelor’s in urban studies from Brown University.