The San Diego Chapter of the American Planning Association (SDAPA) held its yearly awards ceremony this past June at UCSD Park and Market. In these awards, the SDAPA brings together the San Diego planning community to celebrate planning projects that have made a difference in people’s lives.

My name is Destenie, but I prefer Des.

I was born in Orange, California, and raised in Tijuana/San Diego. I was a 4th grader when my family moved to Tijuana following my stepdad’s deportation, a move that impacted the core of who I am today.