2026 Ones To Watch - Rising Stars: Nina Ballou, Wendel

“Nina brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to planning, shaped by experience across public, private, and nonprofit work. She understands how Sustainable Design, Urban Design, and Economic Planning intersect at the community level and applies that perspective to guide projects that are both practical and forward-looking. Nina collaborates easily with stakeholders and keeps projects moving with clarity and purpose, always focused on creating inclusive, healthy environments.” 

What inspired you to pursue a career in your industry, and what path brought you to your current role?

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by the built environment. I even had a teacher in grade school yell at me for doodling city skylines on my papers. I took woodshop throughout high school, which eventually led me to major in Architecture. However, after one semester, I realized my fascination wasn’t just with the building itself, but with the people who use buildings, how communities access them, and why development happens where it does in the first place. I started taking classes in history, geography, sociology, and public policy, and eventually realized Urban Planning was the path for me. Since graduating, I’ve worked in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors, which has given me experience with everything from policy and environmental review to construction and community engagement. 

I’ve had the opportunity to work on projects ranging from affordable housing and comprehensive plans to renewable energy infrastructure and advanced technology campuses. What continues to excite me most is seeing how human behavior, public policy, and the built environment all interact to shape the places where we live our lives

What accomplishment or project so far in your career are you most proud of?

While it is still in its early phases, the Glenview Heights Housing Project is something I’m especially proud of. While finishing my master’s degree at the University at Buffalo, I led a multidisciplinary studio of Planning, Architecture, and Real Estate students focused on the vacant land behind Erie County Medical Center (ECMC). At the time, there was no clear vision for the site, which had previously been home to social housing that was long since demolished. Our team prepared a report documenting the site’s history, environmental constraints associated with the former quarry, surrounding policy and planning initiatives, and recommendations for an affordable senior and hospice housing development that would support ECMC patients and their families. Fast forward several years later, and one of the first projects I was assigned after joining Wendel was “Glenview Heights,” an affordable housing project proposed on that very same site. I had the opportunity to help guide the project through environmental review and the City of Buffalo approval process. Sitting in front of the Buffalo Planning Board presenting the project was a surreal moment because years earlier I had helped imagine what this site could become, and now I was helping bring that vision to life. Being part of a project that will provide housing, care, and stability for vulnerable residents in my community is something I will always be proud of.

Who has been a mentor or influential figure in your career, and what is the most valuable advice they have shared with you?

Wendel’s Director of Planning, Drew Reilly, is an endless source of inspiration and wisdom. However, the best thing he’s ever told me is “You have to do what you love!” And truly, when the days get long, and the projects get complicated, and my mind is spinning as we navigate an ever evolving world of changing policy, funding sources, and trends, I’m reminded I’m reminded how fortunate I am to genuinely love the work I do and the communities I get to help shape.

What trends or opportunities do you see shaping the future of your industry?

The relationship between technology and the built environment is going to be one of the defining planning and development trends of the next decade. For years, most people thought of “the cloud” as something abstract, but today the infrastructure supporting our digital lives is becoming increasingly physical and visible. Data centers, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy infrastructure, and grid modernization are now actively shaping land use, utility planning, economic development, and environmental review processes across the country. At the same time, communities are being asked to balance growth, infrastructure demands, sustainability, and quality of life in entirely new ways. I think planners and development professionals will play an increasingly important role in helping municipalities navigate emerging technologies thoughtfully and proactively rather than reactively. There is also a growing opportunity for smaller communities to position themselves strategically for investment while still protecting local character, environmental resources, and long-term community goals. I feel very fortunate to be at Wendel during a time when the firm is working on the forefront of many of these evolving industries and development trends. As these projects continue to shape communities across New York State and beyond, I also feel an immense sense of responsibility to ensure that growth is approached thoughtfully and responsibly, both for the communities that will be directly impacted and for the long-term stewardship of environmental resources. I believe the future of development must balance innovation and economic opportunity with transparency, sustainability, and meaningful community planning.