Zach Borders

Zach Borders is the CEO & Co-Founder of Civic ArtWorks, a company focused on empowering citizens to shape the future of their neighborhoods. With a background in architecture and urban planning, Zach has a wealth of experience in master planning sustainable communities in India, China, and Chicago, as well as leading neighborhood regeneration and suburban retrofit projects. Zach has been recognized for his contributions to urban design and planning, including being named a Newcity Design 50: Who Shapes Chicago 2014 honoree and an Engineering News-Record Midwest 2012 'Top 20 Under 40' honoree. He is also a member of the Ely Chapter of Lambda Alpha International and has chaired various boards supporting historic restoration and preservation initiatives. Zach's involvement extends to serving on the Board of Directors for the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) and as chair of CNU Illinois. Additionally, he is an author and editor, focusing on the development of his Illinois hometown and the legacy of Illinois communities in the context of urbanism. Zach's educational background includes a Master of Architecture, Master of Urban Planning, and Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.