Capitalizing on her nonprofit leadership experience, organizational management skills, and planning background, Courtenay Mercer serves as executive director for two nonprofit organizations — Downtown New Jersey and Preservation New Jersey. With substantial public and nonprofit sector experience, she has overseen diverse and complex projects within all types of communities. In her role as principal of Mercer Planning Associates, a boutique land use planning firm specializing in comprehensive planning and strategic community engagement, and as the former director of planning at the New Jersey Office of Smart Growth and New Jersey director of the Regional Plan Association, she has been at the forefront of policy and planning initiatives of state and regional significance. Ms. Mercer is a trustee of the American Planning Association.