First Woman in the Town’s History to Be Appointed to This Position
The North Hempstead Town Board has appointed Nancy Shahverd as commissioner of the Department of Planning and Environmental Protection. She is the first female in the town’s history to be appointed to this post.
Shahverdi brings with her over 12 years of experience in local and municipal planning. After receiving Urban Planning degrees from both UCLA and CSU-Northridge, Shahverdi began her career in Los Angeles and continued building momentum in urban planning on Long Island, where she’s lived for the past decade. She has been involved in various projects, including transit-oriented developments, securing state and federal grants, and creating safer streets for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
“Nancy was the best candidate for this job, male or female,” Town Supervisor DeSena said. “Her body of work speaks for itself, and I’m happy we were able to make a bit of history in the process. I can’t wait to see how she elevates our town’s efficiency and facilities.”
Having served on numerous planning committees in New York, New Jersey, and California, Shahverdi has a history of working directly with local communities. Her last role as a senior community development and planning specialist for Suffolk County fostered her commitment to downtown revitalization. In her new role, Shahverdi will be responsible for major development proposals, including site plans, zone changes, and environmental impact reviews.
“My passion for planning stems from a deep desire to positively impact my community,” Shahverdi said. “I want to find practical solutions that enhance the quality of life for our residents. It’s an honor to hold such a prestigious role, and I’m hopeful my experience paired with our very talented team here can bring improvements for all our neighbors across the town.”