Rachel Flynn-Navigating Urban Development & Public Service (#117)

Bio As of July 15, 2024, Rachel Flynn is the Deputy City Manager of Intentional Growth and Strategic Infrastructure for the City of Greeley, Colorado. She will support the city council’s plans for improving key areas such as water and sewer, economic development and urban revitalization.  Prior to moving to Greeley, CO, Rachel was the Deputy County Executive of Fairfax County, Virginia, responsible for public works, transportation, code compliance, and planning and development departments, along with the park authority from 2019 until her recent move. Prior to Fairfax County, Rachel had two private sector positions. The most recent was as Director of Design Management, Planning and Entitlements for Google, in Mountain View, CA. She led several real estate planning initiatives there. Prior to Google, she worked on a large military base privatization effort in Concord, CA by Lennar, a large homebuilder she started with in 2016. Prior to Lennar, she was the Planning Director for the City of Oakland, CA starting in 2013. Prior to Oakland, she was working for the Government of Abu Dhabi in the UAE to help in their planning efforts. Prior to the foray to the Middle East, Rachel led the Planning Departments of the City of Richmond, VA and the City of Lynchburg, VA. Prior to her career in government planning, she practiced as an architect in several urban markets. She received her BA in Architecture from Catholic University in Washington, DC and subsequently, a Masters in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Show Origins and Parental Influences (00:05:21) Rachel Flynn shares her upbringing, Irish Catholic family, and parental influences, including her father’s involvement in politics. Civil Rights Bill and Family Background (00:06:46) Rachel discusses her father’s role in the writing of the civil rights bill and the voting rights bill, as well as her mother’s background. Growing Up in a Different D.C. (00:08:58) Rachel recalls her experiences in a different Washington, D.C., during the antiwar movement, civil rights movement, and the city’s transformation. Interest in Architecture (00:10:09) Rachel explains how her interest in architecture developed, influenced by her father’s background and her experiences in music and architecture school. Living in Paris (00:12:30) Rachel recounts her experience living in Paris and how it influenced her appreciation for opera, art, and the architecture of the city. Professional Experience in Architecture (00:13:59) Rachel discusses her work as an architect in New York City, Boston, Toronto, and Tel Aviv, highlighting her diverse experiences in different cities and projects. Transition to Public Sector (00:17:25) Rachel explains her transition to the public sector, influenced by her education at the Kennedy School and her desire to have a broader impact on city de...