Brian H. Hurd is Director of Community Planning and Implementation for Rise Community Development ("Rise") in St. Louis, Missouri. Brian helps Rise bring together nonprofits, banks, foundations, institutions, government, and residents to make transforming neighborhoods possible.

In addition to Brian’s work at Rise, he is a field instructor for Washington University’s Brown School of Social Work and is also an adjunct professor at the university, where he teaches a course titled, Planning Sustainable and Racially Equitable Urban Communities in the University College’s Sustainability Program.

Brian is an active member of the American Planning Association, Urban Land Institute, and U.S. Green Building Council. He also serves on several boards and commissions, that include:

• Alpha Terrace Development Corporation
• East Side Aligned, Inc.
• Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority – St. Louis County
• STL VentureWorks, Inc.
• U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. – Missouri Gateway Chapter

Brian is also a best-selling author with his 2020 book release, Dream It! Plan It! Be It! A Playbook for Today’s Youth. The book addresses developing and inspiring young emerging leaders, calls to action by parents, community leaders, and policymakers, and his mission of creating youth-centered, healthy communities by aligning planning, investments, and partnerships.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, is a graduate of Saint Augustine’s University, an Historically Black University in Raleigh, North Carolina. And he received his Masters in Community and Regional Planning from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.