Susan Chin, an accomplished urbanist and civic leader, recently formed an independent consultancy DesignConnects. She led the Design Trust for Public Space, a nationally recognized New York City nonprofit organization at the forefront of shaping the public realm for over eight years. Prior to Design Trust, she was assistant commissioner for Capital Projects at NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, commissioning innovative and high performance architecture and public art citywide. She serves as AIA Committee on Design communications chair; and also served as vice president on AIA national board and chapter president of AIA New York.  Susan has chaired and served on numerous AIA committees including: Leadership Diversity Pipeline Task Force; Gold Medal/Firm Award Advisory Committee; Strategic Directions Group and Communications; EVP/CEO Search;  Women in Architecture; Component Partnerships; and Long Range Planning. She also keynoted YAF25 Summit. Her awards include: American Society of Landscape Architects Honorary Membership; AIA NY States's Kideney Gold Medal, and Del Gaudio, and The Ohio State University's Distinguished Alumna.  She currently serves on the East Midtown Governing Group and recently stepped of the NYC & Company Board of Directors.