Julia Koster, AICP, directs the National Capital Planning Commission's Office of Public Engagement (OPE) to inform and involve the public in all aspects of NCPC's work, including initiatives on building height and commemoration, and foster partnerships to address planning issues in the National Capital Region, including leading the agency's collaboration with federal and local agencies to reduce flood risk in the nation's capital. Ms. Koster directed several NCPC divisions, completing the agency's 2004 Comprehensive Plan update, annual capital improvements reports, a joint federal-District parks plan, other policy studies, and numerous regional collaborations. She is a city planner with expertise in smart growth and environmental issues. Ms. Koster received a master's degree in Urban Planning from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Prior to joining the agency, she was the development coordinator for the Governor's Office of Smart Growth in Maryland, and a senior land use and environmental planner in Washington State. Ms. Koster served as adjunct faculty at the University of Maryland, teaching graduate land use planning courses. She was president of APA's National Capital Area Chapter for five years.