Sydney VanKuren, AICP, (she/her) is an urban planner with more than eight years of experience in the field. Her focus is on empowering communities to embrace and accelerate positive changes towards increased resilience and sustainability. A systems thinker, she uses an empathetic planning approach to help turn strangers into neighbors and build lasting bonds within the community.  

Sydney’s engagement approach is grounded in her National Charrette Institute and EcoDistricts Accredited Professional credentials. These tools focus on transparency and collaboration, include at least three feedback loops, and are based on a foundation of equity and resilience.  

Prior to joining MUSE she led planning and urban design projects, bringing a deep knowledge of sustainable urbanism and decarbonization best practices to her work. 

She received her Masters in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Natural Resources from Cornell University.