Eleanor Sharpe is the Interim Director of the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) in the City of Philadelphia. DPD collaborates with various stakeholders, including elected officials, developers, and communities, to enhance, plan, preserve, and develop vibrant neighborhoods. As Interim Director, Sharpe oversees several key divisions, including Housing and Community Development, Development Services, and Planning and Zoning, which encompasses the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, the Philadelphia Historical Commission, the Philadelphia Art Commission, and the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Sharpe’s career with the City of Philadelphia spans over a decade, during which she has held progressively responsible roles, starting as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the City Planning Commission, and advancing to Executive Director of the Commission and Deputy Director of the Department. Notably, in 2020, she initiated the “Planning and Equity: A Commitment to Change” initiative, aimed at addressing and rectifying the historical injustices caused by the planning profession, especially within communities of color. This pledge has garnered support from planning directors in 36 cities and counties across the United States.

Eleanor Sharpe holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Howard University and a Master’s in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. She has also contributed to academia as an adjunct professor in city planning and architecture at Temple University, Drexel University, and the University of Pennsylvania over the past two decades.