On Saturday, March 22, the Sustainable Urban Planning Program (SUP) invited a panel of expert employers to discuss career opportunities in urban planning at the GW Arlington Education Center.
The panelists, representing a range of sectors—including policy, climate change, county government, nonprofits, and international organizations—shared invaluable insights into the diverse field.
Students participated in roundtable discussions with the employers to learn about the skills and characteristics needed for success in the job market.
Meet our Panelists:
- Syed Adeel Abbas, Regional Coordinator, Climate Change, Middle East & North Africa at the World Bank
Adeel is the Regional Coordinator for Climate Change in the World Bank’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region, bringing over 20 years of experience in climate change adaptation, climate resilience/DRM, and green growth. He provides technical advice and guidance for World Bank programs and projects in the region to support climate-smart development. Since joining the World Bank Group (WBG) in 2012, he has worked across multiple departments, including Energy, Urban, Environment, and the Climate Change Global Unit, before transitioning to the MENA region. As part of WBG, he spearheaded the climate finance initiative and contributed to the World Bank Group Climate Change Action Plan 2021–2025 and the Action Plan on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience.
Previously, he spent over a decade working on international relief, humanitarian, and development projects supported by the UN, USAID, JICA, and the World Bank across South Asia, Latin America, East Asia, the Middle East, and Eurasia. A Fulbright Scholar, Adeel holds an MBA in Global Finance & Sustainability from George Washington University, a master’s in finance from COMSATS University, and a certificate in international development from Harvard University. He has received multiple awards for his contributions to international development.
- Tony Felts, Deputy Director of Administration for the Prince George’s County Planning Department, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Mr. Felts is a planning professional with over 18 years of experience. Tony was appointed Deputy Director of Administration for the Prince George’s County Planning Department in January 2025. Prior to that, he served as Chief of Community Planning, overseeing Comprehensive Planning, Placemaking, and Neighborhood Revitalization efforts in Prince George’s County. He has held planning management positions in Alabama, Texas, and Colorado, notably serving in the City of San Antonio, the nation’s seventh-largest city.
He holds a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning (2016) from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Bachelor of Science in Geography (2007) from the University of South Alabama. He is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management from Columbia Southern University. Tony is a Certified Planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners and a graduate of the ULI Washington.
- Anthony Fusarelli, Jr, Director of Arlington County Planning
Anthony serves as Planning Director for Arlington County, Virginia, and has over 20 years of experience in community planning and development. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the Planning Division’s comprehensive planning, current planning, and urban design portfolio. With Arlington, Anthony has also served as Assistant Director for the Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, as Principal Planner in the Planning Division managing the development of the Crystal City (2010) and Rosslyn (2015) Sector Plans, and as Crystal City/Pentagon City Planning Program Coordinator. Prior to joining Arlington, he worked at a planning and development consulting firm serving public and private sector clients. Anthony holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Massachusetts, and a master’s degree in regional planning from Cornell University.
- Chitra Kumar, Managing Director of the Climate and Energy Program, Union of Concerned Scientists
Chitra Kumar is the Managing Director of the Climate & Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), where she leads efforts to transform the U.S. energy system into one that is equitable and powered by renewable energy while addressing climate damages. Previously, she served as Director of the Office of Policy, Partnerships, and Program Development at the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, advising senior Biden administration officials on environmental justice policies, including the Justice40 initiative and a $3 billion Inflation Reduction Act provision for Environmental and Climate Justice Grants. She also played a key role in a historic EPA reorganization to integrate environmental justice principles into agency programs.
An advocate for just land use, housing, and sustainability policies in Arlington, Virginia, Ms. Kumar serves as faculty for the Leadership Center of Arlington and sits on multiple advisory boards, including the Environmental Protection Network. She has also held leadership roles at the Aspen Institute’s Community Strategies Group, the EPA’s Office of Community Revitalization, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality, where she contributed to federal water policy initiatives. Ms. Kumar holds a master’s in city planning from MIT and a BA in international policy for environment and negotiation from Boston University.
The event was organized by the Sustainable Urban Planning program.