About Our Guest Speaker

Carlos Perez is President of Perez Planning + Design, where he brings more than 20 years of experience in helping communities envision, plan, and create vibrant, resilient places through the strategic planning and design of the public realm. His work is rooted in a collaborative approach that brings together community stakeholders, elected officials, and technical experts to develop innovative solutions that improve quality of life and strengthen community identity.

Carlos combines academic training and professional expertise in parks and recreation system planning and design, active transportation planning, urban design, and landscape architecture, providing a unique perspective on the essential role that public spaces play in advancing social, environmental, and economic outcomes. Throughout his career, he has partnered with more than 100 municipalities across the United States, helping communities unlock the transformative power of parks, trails, streetscapes, and public spaces to address complex challenges and create lasting value.

A passionate advocate for community-building through planning and design, Carlos frequently shares insights and best practices at state and national conferences, contributing to conversations that shape the future of parks, planning, and urban development. He currently serves on the boards of both the City Parks Alliance and the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, supporting organizations dedicated to creating equitable, healthy, and connected communities.

Carlos holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Florida, as well as a Master of City and Regional Planning and a Master of Science in Architecture with a Concentration in Urban Design from the Georgia Institute of Technology. His multidisciplinary background informs a holistic approach to planning, design, and community transformation.