Leonardo Vazquez
Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP is the Executive Director of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation. He has been helping enhance communities for more than 30 years as an author, community economic development professional, creative placemaker, educator, journalist, and urban planner. He founded and directed two organizations that helped grow the field of creative placemaking around the United States through innovative convenings and professional development programs: The National Consortium for Creative Placemaking and Creative Placemaking Communities. Together, these organizations engage more than 8,000 people from the worlds of arts, cultural heritage, public policy, and more to explore ways to leverage the power of arts and culture to enhance communities. Leo has been recognized nationally and in New Jersey for his work in urban planning, creative placemaking, and social justice. In 2012, he won the American Planning Association’s National Planning Leadership Award for Advancing Diversity and Social Justice in Honor of Paul Davidoff. Leo has won a national award from the American Planning Association (APA) for his work in urban planning and social justice. His work in community engagement and creative placemaking also led to receiving state and national awards from the association. He is the co-editor of “Diálogos: Placemaking in Latino Communities”, and author of Leading from the Middle: Strategic Thinking for Urban Planning and Community Development Professionals. He is a co-founder of the Latinos and Planning division of the American Planning Association (APA) and is an advisor to the APA’s Arts and Planning Division.
