Two of the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change’s alumni have been recognized in York University’s 2026 Top 30 Alumni Under 30. Check out the positive change they are creating!
Chinoye Sunny (MES ’21)
Development Planner, City of Richmond Hill
Chinoye Sunny is a city-builder committed to creating vibrant, inclusive communities through both her professional work and volunteer leadership. As a Development Planner at the City of Richmond Hill, Chinoye plays an important role in shaping the future of housing, ensuring new developments are not only responsive to the housing crisis but also filled with the amenities that help communities thrive. Since earning her MES in Planning from York University in 2021, Chinoye has been at the forefront of efforts to reduce housing inequities and expand access to essential services. Beyond her professional achievements, Chinoye is a dedicated volunteer and advocate for student engagement. She joined the MES York Planning Alumni Committee (MYPAC) in 2019 as a student member and now serves as the Chair of MYPAC. In this role, she has been instrumental in strengthening connections between students and alumni, organizing events that foster professional development, and cultivating a welcoming and inclusive planning community at York.
Merve Kolcak (BA ’18, MES ’21)
Urban Planner and Project Manager, The Biglieri Group
Merve Kolcak brings extensive experience in advancing inclusive, accessible, and community-centered urban development. At The Biglieri Group, she leads complex development applications through municipal approvals processes, working at the intersection of policy, design, and stakeholder engagement. Merve’s academic work has helped to advance a national dialogue on justice and inclusion in planning practice. She co-authored the article Accessibility and Disability: A Move Forward for the Planning Profession?, featured in Plan Canada magazine, and co-authored a book chapter entitled Engaging Black People and Power, examining community engagement and power structures in urban planning. Beyond practice, Merve has served on the Toronto Public Space Steering Committee, supporting public space advocacy initiatives across the city. She is also a member of the Pathways to Inclusion Committee through Urban Land Institute, contributing to efforts that advance diversity and inclusion within the built environment and planning practice.
