Jake Levitas, MPA, MCRP, currently serves as Planning Supervisor and previously held the title of Senior Planner within the Urban Projects Group at the City of Raleigh Municipal Government since September 2022. This innovative team focuses on building partnerships to enhance development and deliver public benefits. Prior experience includes volunteer work as a Commissioner on the Appearance Commission, advocacy for urban design, and extensive analytical positions, including Senior Analyst at HR&A Advisors, where strategic guidance was provided on urban development across major U.S. cities. Levitas has also contributed to affordable housing policy communication in Wake County, researched civic engagement models while serving as a Graduate Research Assistant at the UNC School of Government, and co-founded Our City Network, promoting public design initiatives. Educational credentials include a dual master's degree in Public Administration and City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Economics from Washington University in St. Louis.