Jean B. Tyler Leader of the Future Award – 2019 Co-Winner

Sam Leichtling
Long Range Planning Manager, City of Milwaukee

Sam Leichtling has been employed by Milwaukee’s Department of City Development (DCD) since 2008, rising from a Seasonal Team Leader for the City’s Summer Youth Internship Program to senior positions in the department’s housing and neighborhood development and planning divisions. He played an instrumental role in the city’s nationally recognized response to its foreclosure crisis and successfully administered millions of dollars of investment in Milwaukee neighborhoods. More recently, Sam has guided the development of transit-oriented development plans for the Bronzeville and Walker’s Point neighborhoods and anti-displacement plans for neighborhoods surrounding Milwaukee’s downtown. DCD Commissioner Rocky Marcoux says “Sam’s keen intelligence, leadership skills, excellent judgement, and tireless commitment to his work and his community have made him one of city government’s most highly regarded employees.”