Diana Lind
Bio
Diana Lind is a writer and urban policy specialist. Her most recent book is Brave New Home: Our Future in Smarter, Simpler, Happier Housing (Bold Type Books, 2020).
Diana joined the Penn Institute for Urban Research in September 2022 as the organization’s Communications & Publications Director.
In 2008, Diana moved to Philadelphia to become the editor in chief of Next City, a leading urbanist website and nonprofit, and soon also became the organization’s executive director. She served as a founding adviser to the New Cities Foundation and received a fellowship from the Van Alen Institute. Through these experiences, she became known nationally as an expert on cities.
A graduate of Cornell University (B.A., English) and Columbia University (M.F.A. in Creative Writing), Diana has held positions at Architectural Record magazine, Rizzoli International Publications, The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. She serves on the boards of Next City and The Philadelphia Citizen, and independently consults for companies and organizations, such as Yum! Brands, AARP, Harsco and more. She is also the author of Brooklyn Modern: Architecture, Interiors & Design (Rizzoli, 2008).
Diana has contributed op-eds and articles to many publications including, The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Globe & Mail, The Hill, and others. She has written extensively for Architectural Record, Next City, and The Philadelphia Citizen. Diana is a frequent public speaker, and has given keynotes or participated in panels at more than 100 events, including major conventions like the World Urban Forum and Smart City Expo. She has received honors such as the TED City 2.0 prize, the ACLU Stand Up for Freedom award, and a funded residency at Blue Mountain Center.
Born and raised in Manhattan, she lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Greg Heller, and their children.
Work Experience
PENN Institute for Urban Research
Communications & Publications Director
Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia Philadelphia
Vice President, Community & Culture
JULY 2019 - AUGUST 2022
Elevated quality of life as an economic driver for the Philadelphia region
University of Pennsylvania, Fels Policy Research Initiative Managing Director
NOVEMBER 2015 - JUNE 2019
Lead initiative to increase impact and visibility of Penn’s policy-relevant research
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Director, Digital Audience Development
Served on the strategic planning team tasked with reinventing the newspaper and website
Next City
Executive Director & Editor in Chief
APRIL 2008 – NOVEMBER 2014
Transformed quarterly print publication into a robust organization with international website, events and more
Rizzoli International Publications
Editor
MARCH 2006 – DECEMBER 2007
Architectural Record
Writer/ Freelance Editor
JANUARY 2003 – APRIL 2008
Select Op-eds & Articles
“To Change the Parkway, We Must Change Ourselves,” Context, May 2022
“Urban Futures,” Architectural Record, September 2021
“Rethinking Single-Family Homes,” The Globe + Mail, November 2020
“Reinventing Solutions to Urban Living,” Architectural Record, October 2020
“Affordable Housing is Your Spare Bedroom,” The New York Times, June, 2018
“Civic Lesson,” Architectural Record, April 2017
“Cities Lead In Many Ways, But Not Voter Turnout,” The Hill, December 2016
“The Bright Side of Blight,” The New York Times, February 2011
Recent Speaking Roles
Keynote, AARP - NY, Disrupting Disparities Conference, December 2022
Keynote, American Planning Association - Arkansas Chapter, October 2022
Keynote, ULI Shaw Symposium, June 2022
Philadelphia Thinks Big Panel, The Philadelphia Citizen, May 2022
Livable Communities Panel, Economy League Philadelphia Leadership Exchange, October 2021
Women’s Housing Leadership Group, March 2021
ULI Building Healthy Places Book Club, February 2021
Guest Lectures at Universities
Georgia Tech, “Redesigning the House,” October 2022
University of Manitoba, Atmosphere Symposium, March 2022
Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania, Speaker Series, October 2021
Villanova University, “Innovation, Leadership and a Growth Mindset,” September 2021
Temple University, Public Policy Lab, “Addressing the Housing Crisis,” May 2021
Tulane University, School of Professional Advancement, February 2021
Fels School of Public Policy, University of Pennsylvania, September 2020
University of Pennsylvania, Breakthroughs Conference, 2017/ 2018
Temple University, “Entrepreneurial Journalism,” April 2015
University of Texas, David Dillon Symposium, April 2013
University of the Arts, “The Resourceful City,” February 2013
University of Pennsylvania, “Transportation & American Society,” September 2012
Newhouse School of Journalism, “Entrepreneurship in Journalism,” October 2011
University of Rutgers-Camden, April 2010
University of Windsor-Ontario, Distinguished Speakers Series Lecture, November 2009
Drexel University, Great Works Symposium, August 2008