Tori was nominated by her mother, Lisa, for her work as a Long Range Principal Planner for the City of Charlottesville, VA. Tori’s work in urban planning centers equity, sustainability, and community-led development. She has contributed to affordable housing, transportation planning, conservation, and the nationally recognized Southwood redevelopment model designed to prevent displacement. In addition, her teaching at the University of Virginia adds a mentorship dimension, and her planning approach emphasizes public participation and long-term civic well-being.
When Lisa addressed the group she shared:
“I am so happy to be here this morning to share a few highlights with you on why I nominated Victoria for this award.
On my way to work in the morning I would bring Tori to school. I loved that little bit of time together before work/school. When we arrived at Harley, as she was getting out of the car, I would say ‘Do Great Things Tori’ and she would reply, ‘Do Great Things Mom!’
With the education, support, and care she received at Harley, Tori continues to Do Great Things!
At the root of all great things are kindness and empathy. I am so proud of Tori because I see that she genuinely cares about understanding things from other people’s perspectives and inspires others to view the world through a more compassionate lens. I hope that after you listen to Tori you will see how her education at Harley helped to prepare her to make a meaningful difference in the world.
To all of the amazing faculty and staff at Harley – to share a quote from Max Depree, author of Leadership is an Art,
We don’t come with our companies, they come with us, because no company or institution can amount to anything without the people who make it what it is.
People are the heart and spirit of all that counts!”
