Former top NYC Planning official Abinader joins GZA’s Land Use and Environmental Planning practice

Manhattan, NY GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. (GZA) has named Olga Abinader, a former director of the environmental assessment and review division at the NYC Dept. of City Planning, as an associate principal.

Abinader will play a key leadership role within the firm’s planning practice, helping clients navigate land use regulations, environmental impact assessments, and sustainable development initiatives. GZA’s Land Use and Environmental Planning practice has been growing to meet rising client demand for complex planning and permitting expertise.

GZA president and CEO Patrick Sheehan said, “On behalf of all her new colleagues at GZA, I’m honored to welcome Olga to our team. She brings tremendous experience and technical skills in urban planning, environmental review, and sustainability across both the public and private sectors.’’

Abinader most recently served as director of environmental review and land use planning at Matrix New World Engineering. In her role at NYC’s Dept. of City Planning, she oversaw hundreds of major development projects through the City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) process, supporting transit-oriented growth, affordable housing, and resilient communities across New York City.

“GZA’s employee-owned culture, entrepreneurial spirit, and collaborative approach immediately distinguished the firm as unique and exciting,’’ Abinader said. “I am thrilled to join such an accomplished group of leaders at a moment of significant opportunity for the planning and environmental review practice, and I look forward to contributing to the firm’s continued growth and vision.”

Abinader has been recognized for her industry leadership, including being named a 2022 Notable Hispanic Leader by Crain’s New York Business. She holds a Master of Urban Planning from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University. Abinader earned the Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) designation and the WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) Associate credential, demonstrating expertise in resilient, ecological, and accessible waterfront design.