Employee Profiles

Marta Nelson is an Associate Planner on the Redevelopment Team. Marta has a unique range of experience working in economic development, food systems, grant procurement, corporate clients, and renewable energy initiatives. To such venues, Marta brings her energies and skills in project management, responsive client service, problem solving, public engagement through charette facilitation, and process-oriented implementation. She also enjoys cross-pollinating ideas with design and communications to devise creative solutions and new business opportunities for our clients. Marta has worked extensively on downtown redevelopment projects in Waterloo, IA and Moline, IL., managing catalytic projects, such as Cedar Valley TechWorks and the John Deere Waterloo Tractor and Engine Museum.

Prior to joining Vandewalle & Associates, Marta was involved in river sustainability in the Chicago area for over five years, conducting community site plan reviews for river-edge development projects, such as the Chicago Spire, publishing environmental action plans for river sustainability, and leading educated stakeholders and citizens on urban canoe trips. She also worked in the community development finance field, helping to develop a resource document for portfolio companies of positive impact venture capital funds.

Education

M.C.R.P. City and Regional Planning
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

B.A. Geography
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin

Certificate of Environmental Studies
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin

Memberships

Member, American Planning Association, National and Wisconsin Chapters
Member, Friends of the Chicago River

Publications

Co-Author: "Employees Matter: Maximizing Company Value Through Workforce Engagement"
Primary Author and Project Manager: “Action Plan for the Chicago River: Getting Specific. Strategies for a Cleaner, Healthier, More Vibrant Chicago River”