Greenprint is proud to announce that our Director of Planning, Sydney VanKuren, AICP, has been selected as a 2025 Crain‘s Chicago Business Notable Leader in Sustainability (paywall). She joins 55 other esteemed sustainability leaders in the Chicagoland region (paywall). According to Crain‘s, this year’s leaders ”reflect a growing statewide commitment to environmental stewardship, resilient economies and climate solutions that improve the quality of life for people and ease the impact of climate change on the planet.”
About Sydney
Sydney leads Greenprint’s planning practice, managing a team of eight sustainability professionals to develop and implement high-impact climate resilience programs, strategies and plans for public sector clients across the Chicago region. Sydney is also the project lead for two high profile green stormwater infrastructure projects: Cook County’s $6M RainReady Green Infrastructure Plan Implementation in the Calumet Area and the City of Chicago Green Infrastructure Strategy Update.
Sydney led the pursuit, launch and development of Chicago‘s Green Infrastructure Strategy Update, solidifying Greenprint’s leadership as the go-to green infrastructure planning/design firm in Chicago. Developed in partnership with the Department of Environment, the strategy will guide funding and policy decisions related to long-term stormwater investments and workforce development opportunities. It places special emphasis on historically underserved, flood-prone communities to reduce urban flooding and ensure all residents have access to green infrastructure benefits.
Sydney has served as Co-Chair of the Programs Committee for the Illinois Green Alliance (2022-2023), developing educational programming for sustainable development and green building professionals. She is also actively involved with the American Planning Association, Women in Planning & Development, Ecological Society of America, and the Natural Areas Association.
