Northern Futures Planning Team

Michelle Armstrong, M.Plan., MCIP RPP - Partner & Community Planner

Michelle has over 20 years of professional experience in 5 provinces and 2 territories across Canada, including over 13 years professional planning experience in a more northern context.  Michelle strives to achieve excellence in all the community and regional planning processes in which she is involved.  She understands the importance of hearing local values, needs, aspirations and concerns and contextualizing these with local conditions related to governance structures, natural environment, social and family wellbeing, economic development and cultural heritage.

She has delivered projects to diverse public and private sector clients with varying needs and aspirations, effectively communicating available policy approaches to achieving desired futures.  In all her projects, she embraces a strong ethic of client collaboration, team empowerment and community involvement.

Jesse Ajayi, M.Sc., MCIP RPP - Partner & Community Planner

Jesse has 13 years of professional planning experience in Northern Canada, including 4 years spent living and working as a Manager of Community Planning in Nunavut. He focuses on policy clarity and believes that all members of a community need to be equipped to play a role in planning for growth and change. He uses plain language and clean visual designs to consult with the public and assist councils and stakeholders in decision making.
 
Having managed planning departments in Nunavut and Alberta, Jesse understands the municipal approvals process from the inside out. He has provided professional advice to councils on numerous development and subdivision applications for both large and small projects. Jesse has also directly managed long range planning projects including Community Plan Updates and Zoning Bylaw Reviews for communities throughout northern Canada. 

Jesse has served as a member of OPPI’s Indigenous Planning Perspectives Task Force. He contributed to to the Task Force’s report on including indigenous perspectives in the planning profession and responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

Samantha Toffolo, BURPl, MCIP RPP Candidate - Community Planner

Sam leads the land use planning advisory services team to municipalities and developers across Nunavut. Sam has worked with public and private sector clients in studio and field research projects. Her work has addressed diverse planning concerns, including affordable housing, economic development, creative placemaking, community hubs, and food systems. Samantha is passionate about creating equitable, accessible, and sustainable communities through evidence-based policy and community consultation. Samantha graduated from Ryerson University’s School of Urban and Regional Planning.

Elise Durie, MUP - Community Planner

Elise brings planning experience from private and public sectors, having previously worked in municipal, consultancy, and non-profit contexts. Through her education and professional experience, she has contributed to a wide range of planning and policy projects, including neighbourhood plans, de-commodified housing developments, and public space strategies. Recently, she focused on streamlining development processes for gentle densification across Canadian municipalities. This diverse background has shaped Elise’s interdisciplinary approach to planning, centred on community-driven and equity-focused solutions.

She is passionate about tackling planning challenges related to capacity-building, climate resilience, and fostering inclusive communities. In all her projects, Elise values understanding and incorporating community needs and aspirations through a collaborative approach. She believes that collective problem-solving – bridging planning expertise and community insights – is essential to good planning practice.

Alex Pysklywec, MA, MPL - Community Planner

Alex is a community planner with interests in land use, health, and social planning for rural and remote communities. He has supported municipal, provincial, and Indigenous governments through collaborative planning, policy development, program evaluation, and development review. Alex brings a focus on integrating health and social considerations into land use decision-making, helping communities build practical and lasting solutions.

His experience spans independent consulting as well as work within First Nation and municipal government settings. He is committed to planning approaches that are thoughtful, relationship-driven, and grounded in local realities. Alex is a Candidate Member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and is working toward his Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation.

Sadie Faulkner, MPL - Community Planner

Sadie brings experience leading collaborative planning processes, preparing development proposals, and aligning municipal goals with community input—all grounded in a commitment to equitable and sustainable planning. She earned her Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Queen’s University in 2025.

Her approach emphasizes clear communication, thoughtful analysis, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments. Passionate about fostering positive change, Sadie views planning as a collective process rooted in trust, transparency, and long-term impact. Whether contributing to strategic plans or facilitating public engagement, she brings curiosity, initiative, and a solutions-oriented mindset to every stage of her work.

Jennifer Rodriguez, MPL - Community Planner

Jennifer Rodriguez draws on a multidisciplinary background that integrates international development with experience in the private and municipal sectors. Her work includes supporting economic development initiatives in Tanzania, contributing to zoning bylaws reviews, and delivering marketing strategies for non-profit organizations. She holds a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Queen’s University, where she acquired knowledge in land use development, policy analysis, and research focused on accessibility and inclusion for older adults.

Jennifer believes responsible land use planning must be collaborative and informed by the lived experiences of those most impacted. She is dedicated to reconciliation and advancing inclusive, sustainable communities through planning practices that prioritize equity, accessibility, and meaningful public engagement.

Stacy Bardeskar, MEM - Business Operations Coordinator

Stacy brings a strong foundation in business operations, project management, and data-driven decision-making to Northern Futures Planning. With a background in Computer Engineering, Master’s in Engineering Management and experience across IT, recruitment and marketing sectors, Stacy applies a strategic and analytical approach to optimizing workflows and enhancing organizational efficiency.

Her expertise spans CRM systems, project management systems, data analysis, digital marketing, and stakeholder engagement, enabling her to streamline processes and support cross functional teams. Known for her problem-solving skills and adaptability, Stacy is committed to fostering collaboration and driving meaningful improvements within the organization.

Safia Khan, MA - Community Planner

Safia has worked in municipal government, as well as in academic, non-profit, and community-based settings. Throughout her educational and professional journey, she has contributed to a variety of projects, driven by a strong passion for equity and empathy. This includes supporting strategic project coordination, research, community engagement, master plans, and development approvals. Safia's diverse background and dedication guide her impactful approach to inclusive community and regional planning. She holds a Bachelor's in Environmental Governance from the University of Guelph and a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning from Queen’s University.

MacKenzie Schmidt, MA - Community Planner

MacKenzie has worked in provincial government, not-for-profit, and private industry settings, working with First Nation communities across Ontario, British Columbia, and Yukon. MacKenzie is passionate about working as a community-led planning practitioner. She utilizes her communication, facilitation, and engagement skills to effectively support a diverse range of people and community groups for their short- and long-range planning aspirations.

MacKenzie graduated with her Master’s in Community and Regional Planning in 2023 from the School of Community and Regional Planning, at the University of British Columbia. During her Master’s degree she specialized in Indigenous Community Planning, working with the Squamish Nation’s planning team to support the formation of their comprehensive community plan.

Who We Partner With

Northern Futures collaborates with an extended network of firms specializing in northern community development. We build custom teams to take on complex project using the best available resources. More information about our partners can be found below.

NORDEC Consulting & Design -- Northern Architecture & Building Science -- Culturally appropriate housing & building design | Energy efficient building design | Building performance testing & evaluation | Housing & community design workshops