MAPC’s New Executive Director – Lizzi Weyant

Can you tell us about the roles you have held at MAPC over the past 10 years? 

I came to MAPC in 2015 to run the Government Affairs program as Manager of Government Affairs. I was promoted to Director of the team a few years later, just before COVID. During COVID I helped to work with a team to lead our regional response to the pandemic for the cities and towns that we serve, and communities across the region. I was promoted to Deputy Director in December 2021 and Deputy Executive Director in June of 2023.  

What are you most excited about as MAPC's Executive Director?

I’m really honored to be in this role, and to shepherd the work of this agency. Cities and towns are in the perfect position to lead on issues that impact all of us, especially right now, and especially on issues related to climate change, resiliency, emergency preparedness, and housing. Our state is not going to move backwards on our commitments to the people who live and work in our region, and I am so glad that MAPC is a partner in this work.  

What is something about MAPC that makes it unique?

There are so many things that make MAPC unique! Unlike many of our sister planning agencies, we are not the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), but we serve as the Vice Chair of the MPO. Most planning agencies around the country have traditional planning and data departments, but at MAPC, we were one of the first planning agencies to have planning expertise in Clean Energy, Public Health, and Arts and Culture. We also have a robust Government Affairs team and we can take positions on state and federal legislation. MAPC centers equity in our approach to planning, and works to build strong relationships with residents in our region, and especially residents who have been historically disenfranchised from the planning process.  

I also tell anyone who will listen that MAPC is unique because we have the smartest, most heart-forward staff I have ever met. Every person who works at MAPC is here because they are committed to making our corner of the world a better place. It is an amazing thing to get to work with people like this every day. 

What are some of your goals for your first year as Executive Director?

I have some internal and some external priorities I'd like to undertake. In these uncertain times, I’m committed to making sure that MAPC continues to stand on sound financial footing. I am eager to make our work more regional, and to bring the many different backgrounds and areas of expertise among our staff more directly into our project work. I’m eager to hear from municipal leaders about priorities at the local and regional level and to help our cities and towns share best practices so that we can solve problems together.  

Anything else you would like to share?

When I came to MAPC 10 years ago, I knew I’d found an organization where I could work with people who shared my passion and a commitment to serving the residents that live in our cities and towns. I know that this is a team that never shies away from doing the hard work we need to do to make our region and our Commonwealth stronger and I’ve seen that time and time again as our communities have faced COVID, extreme weather events, and now so much federal uncertainty. I believe that cities and towns are leaders in answering our toughest local challenges, and I’m so glad to be in partnership on this important work.