Video produced by Rudd Resources

City planner and community leader Nina Idemudia looks to usher in a new era of innovation towards addressing sustainability and equity as the Center for Neighborhood Technology’s new CEO

For almost 50 years, CNT has been a national leader in finding innovative ways to make cities more sustainable, resilient and equitable for all who live there. The CNT board was delighted with Nina’s understanding of how built environments shape the lives of society’s most vulnerable populations as well as her commitment to creating sustainable and resilient urban environments for all. 

Idemudia is a Detroit-born urban planner with a passion for empowering people to be change agents through planning. Most recently, she served as the Chicago Recovery Plan Director for the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development. Her work has been honored by the American Planning Association, and she is also the first elected Black president of the APA's Illinois Chapter. Idemudia looks forward to bringing her experience and knowledge of urban planning and development to CNT.

According to CNT Board President Margaret O’Dell, “Idemudia’s deep understanding of equitable community development, commitment to inclusive outreach strategies and organizational innovation for planning agencies, and interest in measuring and sharing results will help increase the impact of CNT’s work — not just in Chicago, but nationally.”

CNT is headquartered in Chicago with staff in California, Florida, and Puerto Rico, and engagements nationwide. The organization is respected for pioneering community-based, data-driven innovations to promote urban sustainability. For example, its award-winning RainReady program combats urban flooding by helping homeowners and municipalities plan and install effective, cost-saving green infrastructure for managing stormwater during urban flooding events. 

CNT introduced car-sharing to Chicago and helped rewrite national transportation laws to promote biking, public transit and pedestrian-friendly communities. It pioneered installation of energy efficiency improvements in urban neighborhoods, particularly for lower-income households, work now carried out by its highly successful spinoff, Elevate Energy. 

With Idemudia as its new CEO, CNT will prioritize innovative solutions that place increased emphasis on equity and inclusivity in economic development, poverty reduction, climate resilience and urban analytics.