Virginia Sabia Wilkinson has over 25 years of experience in urban planning, economic development, mobility and environmental systems. Wilkinson is an innovative strategist, offering executive leadership and an entrepreneurial spirit. 

Prior to arriving in Detroit, Wilkinson worked in water resources planning throughout Texas, serving as a liaison to regional water planning groups in developing the State Water Plan. As a scientist and planner, Wilkinson facilitated community engagement to foster conversations between disparate stakeholders including environmentally minded citizens, water professionals, high-level state and local officials, disenfranchised populations, and corporate and civic leaders.  Wilkinson has served as a member of the City of Austin’s Pedestrian Advisory Council, as the Assistant City Demographer for the City of Austin, and completed and advised multiple detailed planning studies (zoning, transit, comprehensive, parks planning.)  She is also an entrepreneur, founding a small business dedicated to delivery, pickup, and composting of disposable diapers.

Upon arrival in Detroit, Wilkinson served as Director of Strategy at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC). Her work included place-based and sector-based strategies, extending throughout the City and Region with activities such as representing the DEGC through the SEMCOG strategic planning process “Partnering for Prosperity.” Wilkinson’s role at the DEGC focused most deeply on establishing and enhancing the value proposition for the City, cultivating work in the MedHealth and Design/Creative economies, global commerce, and cultivating cross-border opportunities with the Windsor-Essex region and Greater Canada.  

Wilkinson holds a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma and a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning from Texas A&M University. She lives in Detroit with her husband and two children.