Her Story
About Britany
Britany C. Pabon is a City Planner with the City of Cleveland, where she oversees neighborhood planning, development projects, permits and design reviews across six neighborhoods in the Near West Side region. In her role, she collaborates with developers, architects, nonprofits, residents and city officials to advance neighborhood development goals, prepare master plans and guide projects through the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. She has also led community-focused initiatives, including the West 29th Street Open Street project, a placemaking effort designed to create a more engaging and accessible public space in Ohio City.
Before joining the City of Cleveland, Britany worked in community development and housing, supporting home repair programs, housing initiatives, real estate acquisition research and neighborhood investment strategies. Her career also includes experience as a Community Development Specialist and a Water Quality Intern, where she developed skills in community engagement, research, data management and environmental fieldwork. Earlier in her career, she worked in photography and creative media, gaining experience in project coordination, customer service, team leadership and visual storytelling.
Britany holds a Master’s in Urban Planning and Development with a focus on Environment and Sustainability from Cleveland State University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with a minor in Sustainable Development. Her academic and professional journey reflects her commitment to creating healthier, more sustainable and community-centered places. She participates in the Raices Hispanic Leadership Cohort through Open Roundtable and the Cleveland Leads International Affairs cohort through the Cleveland Council on World Affairs. Guided by her community-oriented perspective and humble beginnings, Britany emphasizes the importance of listening to residents and considering how development can improve quality of life for the people who call a neighborhood home.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Britany
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a genuine passion for city planning and a commitment to creating communities where people can live, connect, and thrive. My work across six Cleveland neighborhoods has strengthened my ability to bring residents, developers, nonprofits, architects, and city officials together to advance meaningful development projects. I also credit my growth to hands-on experience, continuous learning, community engagement, and leadership development opportunities that have helped me become a more effective planner and prepare for the next stage of my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was to explore my interests rather than feel limited to one path. An introductory urban planning course with Beth Nagy opened my eyes to how planning could bring together design, architecture, environmental issues, community development, strategy, and working with people. My journey has shown me that different experiences and areas of education can eventually come together in meaningful ways, so I encourage others to stay curious, explore opportunities, and trust that their career path does not have to be perfectly defined from the beginning.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering city planning is to pursue the work if they are passionate about architecture, design, strategic planning, and improving communities. City planning gives us an opportunity to help shape how neighborhoods develop and ensure residents have a voice in changes that affect their quality of life. I believe anyone can become a city planner, and there is meaningful work to be done in creating communities where everyone can thrive.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in urban planning is working within a traditionally male-dominated field, but I also see this as an opportunity for women to bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the planning process. I believe effective planning requires leadership, collaboration, attention to detail, and compassion, especially when considering how people experience public spaces. Ultimately, I see a meaningful opportunity to shape safer, more accessible, welcoming communities and make a tangible difference in people’s everyday lives.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value I bring to my work is putting people and their needs at the center of planning. Coming from humble beginnings, I understand the importance of ensuring that development benefits the communities where it takes place. Community engagement is essential because the people who live in a neighborhood understand its needs best. I believe in listening to residents, identifying what may be missing, and helping create meaningful public amenities and opportunities that improve their quality of life.
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