Congratulations to our newest Board members and associates!
Geoff I. Bradley, AICP | Planning Commissioner Training Coordinator
he/him
Geoff has over 33 years of professional public and private experience working with a variety of architectural, planning, development firms and public agencies. Prior to the formation of M-Group, this included 10 years of public sector experience with Bay Area planning and redevelopment agencies. Geoff has worked with numerous jurisdictions throughout the Bay Area. His work includes downtown revitalization, major commercial, mixed-use, transit-oriented projects, as well as award winning updates of General Plans, Housing Elements and Specific Plans.
Geoff is a results-oriented planning professional with a strong design background in architecture, urban design and landscape architecture. He is highly motivated to work to improve our natural and man-made places with an ability to combine innovative ideas with pragmatic solutions, and work with a wide variety of stakeholders on achieving community goals. Geoff has a passion for improving cities through urban planning with a focus on equity and inclusion.
Geoff holds a B.S. in City and Regional Planning and a M.S. in Architecture, from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Geoff also attended The University of Sheffield in England for one year studying Urban Studies and Landscape Architecture.
Connect with Geoff.
Manasi Aranake | SJSU Student Representative
she/her
Manasi is pursuing a Master’s in Urban Planning at San José State University after completing her undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley. She previously worked as a software engineer for two years, bringing a strong technical foundation to her planning work. She is passionate about urban planning issues in the Bay Area, especially at the intersection of land use and transportation. As a Bay Area native, Manasi is deeply committed to shaping the region’s future. Outside of her academic and professional interests, she enjoys being outdoors, skiing, and exploring new coffee shops.
Connect with Manasi.
Brian Toy | San Francisco Regional Activity Coordinator
he/him
Brian is a planner with experience in a variety of areas including grant writing and administration, utilities, housing, climate adaptation planning, development review, environmental review, and floodplain development. A new transplant to San Francisco, Brian has spent the past three years at a regional board working with rural communities in upstate New York.
He holds a Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University and a BA in Geography from McGill University. In his free time, Brian enjoys group fitness classes, following his favorite sports teams (Arsenal, the Canadiens, and the Mets), and spending time with his Bichon Frise, Hans.
Connect with Brian.
Joe Sison | East Bay Co-Regional Activity Coordinator
he/him
Joe Sison is a planner at PlaceWorks. Joe joined PlaceWorks in September 2024, following graduation from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and minors in City Planning and Politics, Philosophy, and Law (PPL). Raised in Belmont, CA, Joe has lived in the East Bay since 2020.
At UC Berkeley, Joe sought to connect the theoretical and abstract dimensions of philosophy with the tangible and historical realities of contemporary life. This pursuit sparked an interest in the built environment and open space, guiding Joe toward a unique path where philosophical inquiry meets real-world application.
Since then, Joe’s professional practice has found a meaningful niche at the intersection of philosophy and the environment. Working on projects that emphasize outdoor access, education, historical interpretation, and climate justice, Joe is dedicated to fostering community through learning and praxis.
Outside of work and APA, Joe enjoys playing basketball, reading, and playing the guitar.
Connect with Joe.
Julie Wyrick, AICP | Monterey Co-Regional Activity Coordinator
she/her
Julie Wyrick, AICP, is the new Monterey Regional Activity Coordinator for the Northern California Section of the California Chapter of the American Planning Association, where she fosters professional engagement and programming for planners across the Central Coast.
A planning professional with over two decades of experience in both city and campus planning, Julie has been a member of APA since 2002. Her career spans strategic capital planning, urban development, environmental compliance, and stakeholder-driven community design. She has served in roles for cities including Gilroy, Foster City,
Mountain View, and Grover Beach, where she led general plan updates, facilitated mixed-use development projects, and implemented land management systems.
In higher education, Julie has contributed her planning leadership to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, UC Santa Cruz, and now California State University, Monterey Bay, where she is the Associate Vice President of Facilities Management. In this capacity, she oversees capital development, operations, and utility management for a 1,400-acre campus of 7,000 students, integrating long-term planning with sustainable, student-centered design principles.
Julie is a frequent contributor to professional planning events and has served on conference steering committees, academic panels, and mentorship programs. She is a graduate of the California Planning Roundtable’s Planning Leadership Academy and an alumna of Leadership Gilroy. When not at work or networking with colleagues, Julie enjoys puttering around her garden, playing with her dogs, and entertaining friends and family.
Connect with Julie.
Allana Ng | Technology Manager
she/her
Allana is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, minoring in Urban Studies at San José State University. Having studied environmental impact assessment and land-use law, she brings a grounded policy perspective alongside hands-on experience in digital tools such as GIS, Adobe Creative Cloud, and online communications platforms.
Allana has worked on projects ranging from urban greening visualizations to high-speed rail advocacy and community-based infrastructure planning. As she continues her path of education, she aims on developing well rounded knowledge on how to best serve communities as an upcoming planner.
Connect with Allana.
Kavitha Kumar | Mid-Career Planners Group Director
she/her
Kavitha Kumar is a Principal Planner and Manager with M-Group’s South Bay team, serving as the lead planning consultant for multiple cities and counties across the Bay Area. With over 25 years of experience in municipal planning and development—along with a background in architecture and private-sector project management, Kavitha brings a well-rounded, cross-disciplinary perspective to her work.
Kavitha’s career has spanned diverse planning departments in Ohio, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and California. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a Master’s degree in Community Planning, which, along with her nationwide planning experience, informs her inclusive, adaptable, and growth-minded approach to planning and leadership. While not at work, Kavitha enjoys spending time with family, gardening, music, and giving back to the community by volunteering her time and skills.
Connect with Kavitha.
Mariah Padilla, California Planning Foundation Liaison
she/her
Mariah Padilla (she/her) is dedicated to helping create more equitable, just, and sustainable communities by advancing transformative climate adaptation that meets the needs of communities on the ground. She is a Resilience Manager at Greenbelt Alliance where she works to help advance regional climate solutions in the Bay Area that allow people and nature to thrive.
Maria has served as the immediate past UC Berkeley student representative on the APA California – Northern Board and is excited to continue to support students pursuing higher education through her role as the CPF liaison. As a first-generation Filipina masters graduate, she deeply understands the power of scholarships in allowing low-income and students of color to access higher education. Mariah holds a Masters of City Planning from UC Berkeley and a Bachelors of Science in Community and Regional Development from UC Davis. In her free time she loves taking long walks with her dog, trying new cafes and sweet treats, and reading.
Connect with Mariah.
We want to feature YOU in the next Northern News!
Request for Content
APA California – Northern strives to remain a connected community. We would like to extend a special invitation to members to be featured in the next Northern News “Who’s Where” section, where we are eager to highlight your latest accomplishments and successes.
If you have started a new job, taken on a new role, or opened your agency, we would love to learn about your journey and progress. We are also eager to know more about you, your hobbies, and your interests outside of work such as:
- Other career paths that influence your work
- Professional areas of interest
- AICP certification or other credentials (e.g., LEED, PMP, GISP, etc.)
- Hobbies/Interests outside of your professional work
We always value our members’ backgrounds and achievements, and we would be thrilled to know more about your education and any special projects you’ve worked on in your field. Your contributions are pivotal to our community; we want to hear your unique voice.
- Education
- Interesting projects you have worked on recently
- The most interesting thing about being a planner
Please take a moment to share a little bit about yourself with us by completing our Who’s Where Submittal Form. If you have any issues with this online form, please contact communications@norcal.org. We are excited to get to know you better and look forward to hearing from you soon!”