Wendy Shabay Bonneau Recognized at National AICP Ceremony

This article is an update to our 2020 article feature Wendy’s original nomination.

Wendy was nominated by the American Planning Association Texas Chapter, which praised her “excellent communication and presentation skills, ability to work with varied groups of people to build consensus, enthusiasm for her subject matter, professional and approachable demeanor, and ability to translate a vision into meaningful, implementable steps.”

Congratulations to Wendy Shabay Bonneau, Urban Planning + Design Practice Leader, who was recognized for being inducted into the AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) College of Fellows at a ceremony held in San Diego on May 1. Wendy was originally nominated in 2020, but the in-person ceremony was postponed due to COVID-19. This award is the planning profession’s highest honor.​​​​​​​

Wendy was recognized for her outstanding achievements as an urban planner as well as her professional leadership on a local, state and national level.

During her 28 years as an urban planner, Wendy has guided more than 100 cities, counties and college campuses to produce visionary plans for improving their communities. Her work includes significant urban redevelopment projects to revitalize neighborhoods.

Wendy joined Freese and Nichols in 2004 and leads a team of planners and landscape architects across multiple states. She mentors young planners to develop new leaders in the field, volunteers extensively in civic organizations across North Texas and has held leadership roles with the APA for more than 17 years.

Fellowship is granted to planners who have achieved certification through AICP, the APA’s professional institute, and have achieved excellence in professional practice, teaching and mentoring, research, public and community service, and leadership. Invitations to join the College of Fellows come after a thorough nomination and review process, ensuring the candidate has had a positive, long-lasting impact on the planning profession.

Wendy was one of 53 inductees in her class. Inductions are done biennially.

APA and the AICP are dedicated to advancing the art, science and profession of good planning — physical, economic and social — to create communities that offer better choices for where and how people work and live. AICP provides recognized leadership nationwide in the certification of professional planners, ethics, professional development, planning education and the standards of planning practice.