Today we’d like to introduce you to Akela Wright.
Akela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey into planning and zoning started with a clear desire to make a meaningful, lasting impact on communities. I earned my Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Urban Planning from Savannah State University, where I developed a strong foundation in public policy, equity, and community development. Early on, I became interested in how both long-range planning and day-to-day zoning decisions work together to shape the places where people live, work, and grow.
I began my career in local government, where I was able to experience both sides of that work planning for the future while also implementing those plans through zoning and development review. Planning taught me how to think big, how to guide growth, align with community vision, and create policies that support long-term success. Zoning, on the other hand, grounded that vision in reality, requiring careful interpretation, consistency, and decision-making that directly impacts individual properties and neighborhoods.
As I grew in my career, I stepped into a leadership roles where I continued to balance both planning and zoning by ensuring that development aligns not only with the ordinance, but also with the broader goals of the community. I’ve also had the opportunity to teach planning and zoning through the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, where I work with local officials and practitioners to better understand how these two areas must function together to create effective and equitable outcomes.
In addition, I founded By-Wright Solutions, a consulting firm focused on helping communities modernize their zoning codes, strengthen their planning frameworks, and implement policies that reflect both best practices and local character. This work allows me to bridge the gap between planning and zoning ensuring that vision, policy, and implementation are all aligned.
At the core of my work is the belief that planning and zoning are most powerful when they are intentional, transparent, and people-centered. Together, they have the ability to not only shape land use, but to create opportunity, preserve community identity, and improve quality of life for everyone.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and I think that’s true for most people doing meaningful work. One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the space between vision and reality. In planning, you’re often working toward long-term goals that take years to fully realize, while in zoning, you’re making decisions in real time that can be scrutinized immediately. Balancing those two while staying grounded in policy, fairness, and community needs has been both challenging and rewarding.
Another challenge has been learning how to stand confidently in my role, especially in environments where decisions can be highly public and, at times, contested. Planning and zoning are deeply tied to people’s lives, property, and investments, so there’s often pressure from multiple directions. Early on, I had to grow comfortable making recommendations based on facts, policy, and best practices—even when they weren’t the most popular.
Overall, the challenges have shaped how I approach my work today. They’ve strengthened my ability to think critically, communicate clearly, and stay committed to creating fair, thoughtful outcomes for the communities I serve.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a Planning Manager, I work at the intersection of long-range planning and zoning implementation ensuring that community vision, policy, and development all align. I oversee development review, guide projects through the zoning process, and focus heavily on improving internal systems so decisions are consistent, transparent, and defensible.
I specialize in zoning modernization and bridging the gap between policy and practice. I’m known for bringing clarity to complex issues and communicating technical information in a way that’s accessible to both decision-makers and the public.
What I’m most proud of is the impact behind the scenes refined policies, stronger processes, and better outcomes for communities. I also value the opportunity to teach and mentor others in the field.
Through my work with By-Wright Solutions, I’m able to support other communities while bringing innovative, best-practice solutions into my role.
What sets me apart is my ability to think both technically and strategically understanding the details while never losing sight of the bigger picture.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is time with my family, my husband and my kids. In the middle of everything I do professionally, they’re what keep me grounded and remind me what really matters. Whether it’s the simple, everyday moments or just being present with them, that’s where I find the most joy.
I also love traveling with them, experiencing new places, creating memories, and giving my kids the opportunity to see and learn beyond their everyday environment. Some of my favorite moments are when they ask me about what I do and start to connect it to the world around them. My oldest, especially, has started talking about shaping policy one day, which is incredibly meaningful to me.
At the end of the day, my happiness comes from the life we’re building as a family one that’s full of love, experiences, and inspiration for what’s possible
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