Ivy Thompson

Biography: Ivy R. Thompson has over 20 years’ experience in Planning and Community Development involving community planning, engagement, economic development, and historic preservation. As a Planner with the with the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Ms. Thompson assists in the organizations efforts to provide land use planning for physical development of the county. She reviews both public and private sector development projects for compliance with local and state regulations. During her tenure with M-NCPPC, she has worked to facilitate small and medium in-fill redevelopment projects and served as a community resource advising stakeholders on zoning and planning projects. Prior to joining M-NCPPC, Ms. Thompson worked as Community Development Specialist in the City of Takoma Park where she focused on grants management, project implementation, and the development of the City’s Affordable Housing Plan. As a two-term Council Member of the City of Mount Rainier, including one as Vice Mayor, Ms. Thompson focused on redevelopment of the City’s business district. While acknowledging the need for growth, she built on the existing foundation of community. Focused on engagement establishing the Family Movie Night and co-founding the Mount Rainier Farmers Market. Ms. Thompson was invited to the German Marshall Fund of the United States Bilbao Urban Innovation and Leadership Dialogues, a forum for urban innovators to explore issues facing transatlantic cities. She is also an American Council on Germany John J. McCloy Fellow, working to enhance a broader understanding of global policy issues. Ms. Thompson began her planning career in Cincinnati, Ohio facilitating the creation and placement of public art in the City’s redeveloping areas. She has had the opportunity to study “Art in the Urban Environment” in Cuba, returning with lessons learned and experience to enhance city programming. Ms. Thompson holds a bachelor degree in English from Alverno Col