New Jersey lost an inspirational leader and public servant earlier this week.

Ingrid Reed was an active member of RPA’s New Jersey Committee for four decades, working with an entire generation of RPA/NJ Directors to improve communities and advance regional planning. During that time she helped shape New Jersey’s State Development and Redevelopment Plan, led Trenton’s Capital City Redevelopment Corporation, and was a fierce advocate for improved transit across the Hudson River. Ingrid combined an encyclopedic knowledge of New Jersey public policy with an advocate’s passion and impatience. She was the rare contributor who had extensive knowledge and perspective on virtually any public policy issue you were talking about. She had seen it all and knew where to look for the answers.

At RPA’s New Jersey reception in 2023, Ingrid and other long-serving Committee Members were recognized for their contributions of 20+ years. Afterwards, Ingrid wrote RPA staff with typical humility that she ​“was pleased to be a part of recognizing the long-service people, but I also thought of the countless people who believed in the tradition of planning for the region and contributed to shaping it and are working to make it a reality.”

She always believed in sharing attention, which is what made her such a powerful force for good.