Mayor Michael O’Connor is pleased to announce the appointment of Gabrielle Collard as the new Deputy Director of Planning for The City of Frederick. Gabrielle brings over 20 years of experience in urban planning to her new role, having demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication throughout her career with the City.
“Gabrielle has excelled in her roles with the City for the last 20 years,” Mayor O’Connor said. “Her extensive experience, coupled with her visionary approach, makes her the ideal candidate to lead the planning department. I am excited to see her enact her vision for what the department and The City of Frederick can become.”
Gabrielle began her career in urban planning after completing her Master’s Degree of Community Planning at the University of Maryland in 2003. She initially worked with the Frederick County Division of Planning and Permitting before transitioning to the City of Frederick, where she served as a development review planner. Over the past 15 years, Gabrielle has been the Division Manager of Current Planning and has served as the Acting Deputy Director for Planning since January upon the retirement of previous Deputy Director of Planning Joe Adkins.
Throughout her tenure, Gabrielle has overseen the operations of development review services and has been instrumental in numerous legislative initiatives, community outreach opportunities, and interdepartmental and interagency coordination efforts. Her in-depth understanding and appreciation of the community’s needs have driven her efforts to make Frederick a sustainable and desirable community for all.
In her new role, Gabrielle will continue to build on the City’s ongoing initiatives and introduce new measures that foster a collaborative, community-based approach to planning.
“The City is such a special place, and to be entrusted to lead an absolutely amazing team of professionals in helping our community shape its future is one of the greatest privileges that a Planner can have!” said Gabrielle Collard.
The City of Frederick looks forward to the continued positive impact of Gabrielle’s leadership in the planning department and her commitment to the community’s future.