Advisor - Modelling & Geomatics - Planning & Development - Metrolinx - Toronto, ON. (May 2017 - Present)
- Consistently delivered high-quality geospatial analysis, visualization and technical writing projects that support evidence-informed decision making and delivery of rapid transit projects and the RTP.
- Independently managed several high-profile and time-sensitive projects including preparation of Amazon HQ2 bid materials, new station maps, Brampton charrette base maps, DS BRT ridership memo, RTP maps and concept diagrams, GO bus maps, and the CEO wall map.
- Developed innovative methods to transform data from GGHM Model, TTS, Census, GTFS and PRESTO BI into compelling visualizations including Discount Double Fare transfer location maps, GO vehicle video, RTP interactive story map, and commuter flow ‘chord’ diagrams.
- Created a centralized geospatial data library, mapping templates and project folder structure to improve quality, accuracy and timely delivery of geospatial analysis and mapping products to clients.
- Presented complex technical material in PowerPoint for delivery at senior management meetings.
- Represented M&G team on several working groups such as the Wi-Fi and the TOD Ridership study.
- Developed effective working relationships with team members in P&D business units and recognized as a key point of contact for geospatial analysis and design expertise.
Transportation Planner - WSP | MMM Group - Toronto, ON. (Jul. 2016 - May 2017)
- Led geospatial analysis and visualization objectives for multi-modal transportation planning projects including development of a province-wide cycling network for the Ministry of Transportation, a bike share expansion study for Metrolinx and several active & sustainable transportation network studies.
- Created technical written content and graphics for reports, memos, presentations and proposals.
- Developed division standards for spatial data management and templates for efficient map design.
Urban Planning Intern - DIALOG Design - Vancouver, BC. (May - Sep. 2015)
- Awarded a $15,000 MITACS research grant called Measuring Indicators of Community Health and Holistic Well-Being Based on Future Land Use and Transportation Planning Scenarios using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support creation of a new Official Community Plan.
- Engaged other consultants and City staff to create and evaluate three population and employment growth scenarios, interpreted transportation modelling results from EMME software, and calculated greenhouse gas emissions based on future building typologies and vehicle kilometers travelled.
- Led spatial data analysis and GIS mapping for Dr. Richard Florida’s ‘Cities’ group.
- Diverse city building focused projects included tracking venture capital investment, development of income and gender inequality measures, creation of a walkability index, and mapping employment clusters across the Greater Golden Horseshoe to support the 10-year review of the Growth Plan.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, PLG310 Statistics for Planners + PLG410 Planning Analysis, Ryerson University - Toronto, ON. (Sep. 2014 - Apr. 2015)
- Supported undergraduate students and marked assignments on descriptive statistics, probability, sampling theory, statistical inference, survey research methods, multiple regression analysis of categorical and continuous data and basic demographic and population projection methods.
- Leveraged GIS and other analysis and design tools to critically evaluate social, economic and environmental impacts of land use and transportation decisions.
- Created engaging maps, infographics, boards, and presentations for neighbourhood and regional growth plans, sustainable transportation studies, and complex environmental assessments.
- Exercised awareness of political, community and proponent considerations while facilitating statutory public meetings and community consultations, and other public engagement workshops and open houses.
- Demonstrated project management capabilities by coordinating analysis and visualization requirements for both internal team members and external sub-consultants and stakeholders.
- Received promotion to intermediate role based on proven ability to create realistic work plans and budgets, write winning responses to requests for proposals (RFPs), keep projects on time and on budget despite dynamic expectations, and communicate effectively with team members and clients.
- Key member of an interdisciplinary research team exploring how environments and policies contribute to inequalities in children’s development in neighbourhoods across British Columbia.
- Focused on interpretation and mapping of population-level health surveys including the Early Development Instrument (EDI), census data and other administrative datasets.
- Responsible for spatial and statistical analysis, map and infographic design, geocoding, database management, manuscript writing, and leading stakeholder consultations and public presentations.
EDUCATION
M. Pl. - Urban + Regional Planning - Ryerson University - Toronto, ON. (Sep. 2014 - Arp. 2016)
- 3.84 GPA in first year with core classes on the legal context of planning, urban design fundamentals, planning for sustainability, multicultural cities and special electives focused on development pro forma analysis, urban park design, and sustainable transportation planning.
- Masters research project developed an evidence-based approach to link objective urban design, land use and sustainable transportation indicators to population health and well-being measures.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the Planning Act, City of Toronto Official Plan and transit project assessment process through projects such as an evaluation of social equity impacts of SmartTrack and the Downtown Relief Line, and a studio focused on transportation solutions for Liberty Village.
- Bachelor of Arts degree focused on urban data analysis, sustainability, economics and visual art.
- Specialized in Geographic Information systems (GIS) with thesis project focused on mapping population settlement patterns across British Columbia.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Class Representative - Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) - Toronto, ON. (2015)
- Elected to represent Ryerson graduate planning students on the OPPI Student Liaison Committee.
- Worked in collaboration with the Provincial Health Services Authority and 20+ partners to integrate public health priorities into planning practices across BC and participated in development of a logic model, terms of reference, key principals, data sharing standards and membership agreement.
- Developed curriculum for bi-monthly mentorship meetings focused on identification of personal values, goal-setting and networking strategies.
- Worked with a team of volunteers to coordinate venue setup, participant registration, video recording and photography, and event management.
ACADEMIC AWARDS
- Graduate Student Award of Merit - $4,000 - Ryerson School of Urban & Regional Planning (2015)
- Accelerate Research Grant - $15,000 - MITACs Canada (2015)
- Graduate Student Entrance Award - $4,000 - Ryerson School of Urban & Regional Planning (2014)
- Geomatics Canada Scholarship - $2,000 - Natural Resources Canada (2009)
- Women's Club Memorial Prize for Cartography - $800 - UBC Dept. of Geography (2008)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Advanced use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Outlook for creating and editing reports, designing engaging presentations, and effectively communicating via email.
- Confident use of Adobe Illustrator and InDesign to create superior graphic design products.
- Skilled use of Microsoft Excel, SPSS, R, Tableau, and Google Earth for statistical analysis and data visualization.
- Expert use of MapInfo and ArcGIS 10.2 for complex spatial data analysis and visualization including proven application of Spatial and Network Analyst extensions, Toolbox functions and Model Builder.
- Excellent working knowledge of HTML and content management systems for web site design.
- Sophisticated use of DSLR camera equipment for photography and video recording complemented by use of Adobe Photoshop and Premier Pro for editing.
- Experience planning, launching and evaluating social media strategies and web-based community surveys to support community engagement and consultation.
- Member of Ontario Professional Planners Institute and Canadian Institute of Planners (2014-2016)
- Delegate at Canadian Urban Transit Association Youth Summit on Sustainable Transportation (2014)
- Completed Technical Report Writing course at Golder Associates (2014)
- Attained Workplace First Aid certification from WorkSafe BC (2013)
- Attained Emergency First Aid & CPR C/AED certification from Canadian Red Cross (2013)
- Completed LEED Green Building Core Concepts and Strategies course (2011)
- Completed HTML for Web Design course (2010)
- Completed Introduction to Python Computer Programming course (2010)
PERSONAL INTERESTS
- Daily bicycle commuting, recreational mountain and road cycling, competing in running and triathlon races, and yoga.
- Community gardening, trying new recipes and baking chocolate chip cookies.
PUBLICATIONS IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS
Kershaw, Paul, Barry Forer, Jennifer E. V. Lloyd, Clyde Hertzman, Bruno D. Zumbo, Martin Guhn, Anthony Smith et al. 2009. “The Use of Population-Level Data to Advance Interdisciplinary Methodology: A Cell-through-Society Sampling Framework for Child Development Research.” International Journal of Social Research Methodology 12 (5): 387. doi:10.1080/13645570802550257.
Soon, Judith, Vivian Leung, Anthony Smith, and Jeannie Shoveller. 2011. “Temporal and Regional Differences in Emergency Contraception Use: A Population-Based Analysis.” Contraception 84 (3) (September): 327. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2011.05.094.
Smith, Anthony. 2010. “Linking Urban Planning and Public Health to Improve Early Human Development.” TrailSix: UBC Department of Geography Journal 4 (1): 27–38.
PUBLISHED ACADEMIC REPORTS
Poon, Brenda, Clyde Hetzman, Paul Holley, and Anthony Smith. 2011. “Evaluation of BC Early Childhood Dental Programs: Final Report. http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/
2011/Evaluation-BC-Early-Childhood-Dental-Programs-Final.pdf.
Schonert-Reichl, Kimberly, Martin Guhn, Shelley Hymel, Clyde Hertzman, Lina Sweiss, Anne Gabermann, Anthony Smith, et al. 2010. “Our Children’s Voices: Measuring the Developmental Health and Well-Being of Children in Middle Childhood.” http://earlylearning.ubc.ca/media/publications/mdi_our_childrens_voices_report.pdf.
Mapping and Data Visualization: A Portfolio of Work by the HELP Mapping Team. 2011.
http://earlylearning.ubc.ca/media/publications/mapping_portfolio_feb2011.pdf.
MAPS PUBLISHED IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS
Soon, Judith A., and Marc Levine. 2011. “Rural Pharmacy in Canada: Pharmacist Training, Workforce Capacity and Research Partnerships.” International Journal of Circumpolar Health 70 (4). doi:10.3402/ijch.v70i4.17845.
http://www.circumpolarhealthjournal.net/index.php/ijch/article/view/17845.
Sethna, Christabelle, and Marion Doull. 2013. “Spatial Disparities and Travel to Freestanding Abortion Clinics in Canada.” Women’s Studies International Forum 38 (May): 52–62. doi:10.1016/j.wsif.2013.02.001.
INVITED CONFERENCE + ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS
“WalkMap: An Open-Source Walkability Index for Urban Planning & Health.” 2014. Conference Presentation at the ESRI User Conference, San Diego, California.
“Creating Beautiful Maps.” 2014. Guest Lecture in University of British Columbia ‘Introduction to Cartography’ course. Vancouver, BC.
“An Ecological Model of Human Health through a Cartographic Lens.” 2013. Pecha Kucha Presentation delivered at the BC Society of Landscape Architects Annual Conference, Vancouver, BC. http://youtu.be/GLFzYDrcDCY.
“A Service-Based Remoteness Index of BC.” 2011. Poster presented at the 7th International GEOMED Conference on Spatial Statistics and Geomedical Systems, Victoria, BC.
“Mapping the Population Distribution of BC.” 2011. PowerPoint presented at the 4th International Cartography Association workshop on Spatial Analysis and Measurement, Vancouver, BC.
“Mapping the Roots of Empathy.” 2010. Workshop presented at the UBC Faculty of Education Assessment and Measurement Conference: Time is of the Essence - Perspectives from Parents and Professionals, Vancouver, BC.
