Whether governmental or non-profit, public sector organizations face new complexities in an ever-evolving landscape. While leadership and staff are deeply passionate about addressing community needs, there is a growing demand for expertise, reliable guidance, and capacity building that is challenging to meet with internal resources.
At Civic Uplift, we have decades of experience helping communities thrive. We provide the necessary support to deliver clear strategies that effectively confront these community challenges head-on. Our team will empower yours to assess, plan, and execute effective and meaningful policy.
Our Team
Carolyn Thurman, AICP – Founder and Principal
Carolyn Thurman is a dynamic urban planning and economic development professional with a passion for driving inclusive and sustainable growth in communities. With over a decade of experience, she has led large-scale projects and initiatives that positively impact residents, businesses, and stakeholders. Carolyn’s expertise includes strategic planning, community engagement, stakeholder collaboration, policy analysis, and economic development. She excels in leveraging data-driven decision-making and collaborative approaches to find innovative solutions to complex challenges, making her an invaluable asset for community and economic development projects.
Carolyn’s professional journey includes significant roles such as the Assistant Director of Economic Development & Planning at Franklin County, where she spearheaded initiatives to foster economic growth and community development. Prior to that, she served as the Deputy Director of Planning and Development at the City of Westerville for over three years, showcasing her expertise in public speaking, communication, and a myriad of other skills essential for consulting in community and economic development. Earlier in her career, Carolyn held the position of Grants Management Coordinator at the City of Columbus for nearly five years, where she honed her skills in grant management and coordination, laying the foundation for her subsequent impactful roles in urban planning and economic development.
As the Founder and Principal of Civic Uplift LLC, Carolyn continues to make a positive impact by leveraging her skills and experience to create solutions for the betterment of communities.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Carolyn dedicates her time and expertise to various volunteer roles, further amplifying her impact on communities. She serves on the Sustainability Advisory Board at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, contributing insights towards fostering environmentally sustainable practices. Carolyn is also a Board Member at IMPACT Community Action and the American Planning Association, Ohio Chapter, where she collaborates with professionals to advance equitable and inclusive growth practices.
Benjamin Bennett – Planner
Benjamin Bennett is a dynamic urban planning and community development consultant with a passion for creating value and fostering growth through innovative, adaptive solutions. As the Principal of Better by Bennett, he leverages over a decade of experience in urban planning, project management, and public art initiatives to drive impactful outcomes. A graduate of the University of Florida with a Master of Urban and Regional Planning, and Jacksonville University with a BBA in Economics & Sustainability, Benjamin combines technical expertise with a creative approach to address complex challenges.
His career spans roles such as Public Art Project Manager for the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, Town Planner for the Town of Londonderry, and Manager at Paradise Grooming for Men, showcasing his versatility across industries. Endorsed for skills in marketing and project management, Benjamin excels at developing and executing strategies that enhance communities.
Shayanna Hinkle-Moore – Assistant Planner
Shayanna Hinkle-Moore provides strategic guidance on urban planning and community development projects. Specializing in community engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and non-profit consulting, Shayanna brings a strong focus on inclusive and data-driven approaches to her work. With nearly three years of prior experience as a Fellow with Management Leadership for Tomorrow, she has developed impactful solutions and insights that drive meaningful change. As Project Manager of Promotion and Engagement at Near East Collective, she honed her skills in strategic planning and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. Shayanna holds a Bachelor’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University.
Takiyah Muhammad – Assistant Planner
Takiyah Muhammad brings a strong foundation in urban planning and public service to her role as Assistant Planner at Civic Uplift. A graduate of Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning, Takiyah combines her academic background with hands-on experience in data analysis, public benefits administration, and client services.
Before joining Civic Uplift, Takiyah worked in roles that demanded precision, analytical thinking, and clear communication, including as a Transaction Processing Associate at Conduent and an Unemployment Claims Specialist with Vdart. In each position she demonstrated a meticulous approach to data integrity and a commitment to timely, accurate results, skills she now applies to planning and design challenges.
At Civic Uplift, Takiyah supports planning projects through detailed research, spatial analysis, and urban design support, helping local governments translate community goals into thoughtful site layouts, streetscapes, and public-realm improvements that strengthen neighborhoods and expand opportunities for residents.
Rey Velazquez – Administrative Assistant
Rey Velazquez serves as Administrative Assistant at Civic Uplift, where they play a key role in managing logistics, stakeholder communications, and engagement activities for the Central Ohio Cycling Travel Guide. Rey brings a strong background in organizing inclusive, community-centered programs and supporting mission-driven teams in delivering meaningful, well-coordinated initiatives.
A graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in Human Development and Family Science, Rey previously worked in Ohio State’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion in several leadership and support roles. There, they led peer mentorship, coordinated outreach efforts, and helped implement culturally responsive programming. For this project, Rey supports coordination of Trail Town workshops, gallery walk logistics, and internal project timelines ensuring that each phase of the work is executed with care, clarity, and consistency.
Sadicka D. Thomas White, MS, EDFP – Senior Advisor
Sadicka White brings over four decades of leadership in economic and community development to her role as Senior Advisor with Civic Uplift. With deep experience in both public- and private-sector planning, Sadicka offers strategic insight into how local governments can structure and implement transformative investments in housing, infrastructure, and commercial revitalization.
Her career has included executive leadership positions at the state and local level, including as Chief of the Community Services Division at the Ohio Development Services Agency and as Planning & Development Director for the City of Gahanna. She has also served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Worthington, Public Works Director for the City of Lima, and led a range of public-private initiatives focused on redevelopment, incentive structuring, and placemaking.
Sadicka’s work has facilitated over $1 billion in private investment across Central and Northwest Ohio. Her expertise spans TIF and CRA creation, fiscal impact analysis, zoning, housing policy, code enforcement, and design review. Her practitioner’s perspective ensures that economic development strategies are both visionary and grounded in real-world feasibility.
A certified Economic Development Finance Professional, Sadicka is widely recognized for her contributions to the field, including being named NAIOP’s 2009 Public Sector Economic Developer of the Year. She is a lifetime member of the Mid-Ohio Development Exchange (MODE), and actively serves on boards for Heritage Ohio, the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation, and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission.
At Civic Uplift, Sadicka supports projects with high-level advisory services, particularly those involving public-private partnerships, redevelopment strategy, and implementation planning.
Civic Uplift, LLC 