MUPP ’14 Jane Wilberding Given Inaugural Emerging Leader Award in Memory of Anna Bachman
The inaugural CUPPA Alumni Association's Emerging Leader Award in honor of Anna Bachman, was presented on April 10, 2024 at the Urban Planning and Policy Department's 50th anniversary celebration. Jane Wilberding, MUPP 14, is the inaugural recipient.
During the celebration, MUPP Alumnae Jenny Kane presented the Emerging Leader Award to Marsha Kopral who accepted the award on behalf of Jane Wilberding, MUPP '14, and in honor of Kopral's daughter, Anna Bachman.
Wilberding, who could not be present at the event, said, “Anna Bachman was an incredible force of good in the world. She was always ready to make a new friend, solve complex problems, and explore the city. It is bitter to know that the planning community was only able to benefit from her charm and acumen for a short while. But it gives me great joy knowing that she is being recognized and her spirit is being amplified through this award."
The Emerging Leaders Award is presented to individuals in the first 10 years of their urban planning, public policy, or public administration career, who has made a significant contribution in their career, and has shown outstanding service and leadership.
Wilberding Heading link
Wilberding, AICP, is a transportation planner, mobility advocate, cyclist, and dear friend to Anna Bachman. She currently works as a Senior Mobility Manager at HNTB in Chicago, managing parking/curbside management, transportation demand management, emerging mobility, and complete street projects nationwide. Jane is also a co-founder of the Parking Reform Network, a non-profit focused on creating more livable communities through advocating for and implementing parking reform programs and policies. Jane was named 40 under 40 by the Association of Commuter Transportation in 2017, the Emerging Planner of the year by the American Planning Association Illinois Chapter in 2020, and was recognized as a Leader in Sustainability by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2023.
More importantly, Jane had the privilege to call Anna a friend. During their time together in the MUPP program, they served on the UPPSA board, planned symposiums, passed some of the program’s most difficult classes, adventured the City’s music festivals, and frequented (the former) Jak’s tap despite early morning obligations. She misses Anna profoundly and tries to emulate her fortitude to make the world a better place by planning policy each day.