Emily Elliott, AICP

Community Planning @ BKF, Director IES-APA

Redlands, California, United States

About

As Practice Lead for Community Development at BKF and an Associate Vice President, I partner with agency and private clients to deliver clear, actionable solutions in community development, land use/housing policy, and long-range community planning. I work closely with BKF executive leadership to develop and execute the strategic priorities that grow and advance our company. My background spans both consulting and public-sector service, giving me a grounded understanding of how policy, process, and community priorities intersect. Staying engaged in shaping the profession is important to me. As Section Director for IES-APA, I support planners across the Inland Empire through programming, advocacy, and leadership development. I serve the City of Redlands as a Planning Commissioner, contributing to thoughtful land use decisions, and I volunteer as a Community Steward with Bikepacking Roots, promoting diversity and inclusion in bikepacking and responsible outdoor stewardship.

Experience

  • BKF Engineers (3 yrs)
    • Associate Vice President - Community Planning Practice Lead
      Mar 2026 - Present · 5 mos

    • Community Planning Practice Lead (Formerly MNS Engineers)
      Aug 2023 - Mar 2026 · 2 yrs 8 mos

  • Michael Baker International (4 yrs 10 mos)
    • Associate Vice President, Department Manager - Planning
      Dec 2022 - Aug 2023 · 9 mos

    • Senior Associate, Department Manager - Planning
      May 2022 - Dec 2022 · 8 mos

      Department Manager responsible for leading the Planning and Environmental team in Michael Baker International's Temecula, Ontario, and Palm Desert offices.

    • Senior Associate, Project Manager
      Nov 2018 - May 2022 · 3 yrs 7 mos

      Project Manager for both private and public sector clients, mainly within the western Inland Empire. The focus of my services is threefold: CEQA documentation, development review/entitlements coordination, and agency staff support.

  • Foster Family Coordinator at FROSTED FACES FOUNDATION INC
    Feb 2016 - Apr 2021 · 5 yrs 3 mos

    Volunteer Foster Family Coordinator / Family Support Specialist for non-profit senior pet rescue and advocacy organization.

  • City of Redlands (3 yrs 4 mos)
    • Senior Planner
      Nov 2016 - Nov 2018 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    • Associate Planner
      Aug 2015 - Nov 2016 · 1 yr 4 mos

  • RBF Consulting, a Company of Michael Baker International (1 yr 7 mos)
    • Environmental Associate
      Jun 2014 - Jul 2015 · 1 yr 2 mos

      Environmental and land planning; urban and recreation planning; development entitlements; GIS.

    • Planning Intern
      Jan 2014 - Jun 2014 · 6 mos