The City of Toronto announced the hiring of a new chief planner on Tuesday, naming veteran consultant Jennifer Keesmaat to the vacant position.

Keesmaat is a principal executive at the design firm Dialog, and has experience with municipal planning projects in Mississauga, Regina and Moncton.

She has also led city planning projects in Vancouver, London and Halifax, and has been involved with international projects in the U.S., Ireland and Greece.

Earlier this year, Keesmaat was a guest speaker at the TEDx conference in Regina, where she presented on the societal benefits of children walking to school, which she called a “simple, hopeful, powerful act.”

Keesmaat will take over the position left vacant when former chief planner Gary Wright retired in March.

"I am delighted to see Jennifer bring her talents to City Hall," Coun. Peter Milczyn, chair of the planning and growth management committee, said in a statement.

"Her breadth of successful experience is sure to bring a fresh perspective to the City's growth and development that will serve our residents well in the decades to come."  

Keesmaat holds a master’s degree in Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, from York University. Her work has been recognized by the Canadian Institute for Planners, the Ontario Professional Planners Institute, the Design Exchance and the Environmental Design Retail Association.

Keesmaat’s first orderof business, when she officially begins her job Sept. 10, will be a five-year review of the city’s official growth plan.

"I am both excited and humbled to be selected as the City of Toronto's next Chief Planner," Keesmaat in a news release Tuesday.

"We have significant and important issues to address in this city moving forward.

"As Chief Planner, I hope to build strong, new collaborations and meaningful dialogue, not just within City Hall, but also with residents, political leaders from all levels of government, NGOs, developers and businesses.

“I look forward to working with the residents of this great city to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."