At Therefor Group, we’re always on the lookout for emerging voices who are shaping the future of our cities – and few embody that spirit more than Tom Kennedy. Our CEO, Dan Best, recently sat down with Tom to chat about his journey into planning, his passion for advocacy, and what it meant to receive a Judges Commendation for the Matthew Schneider Rising Star Award at the People in Property Awards.
Tom’s interest in planning started early, though he didn’t always have the language for it. “I’ve always been curious about the built environment and what’s around me,” he says. “Cities are inherently interesting places.” That curiosity eventually led him to discover planning in high school – a profession that, to him, offered a way to understand how the shape of our cities influences people’s everyday lives.
Along the way, Tom has been fortunate to learn from some of the best. He credits Amy Marsden and Natalie Rayment as early mentors who helped shape his thinking.
“They’re two of the most remarkable and principled planners you’ll come across,”
he says, “to me, they embody what good and purposeful planning looks like.”
Receiving the Judges Commendation for the Rising Star Award was a moment of both surprise and deep meaning. “It’s not the sort of thing you ever expect,” Tom admits. “The award being named after Matthew Schneider makes the honour even bigger. Matt was known for his advocacy and the impression he left on people – it really shone through when I met his family at the awards.” For Tom, the recognition was also a nod to the advocacy work he’s been involved in, particularly the YIFBY reforms. “To contribute to something that helps provide homes for vulnerable Queenslanders and then be recognised for it – that’s pretty fulfilling.”
When asked what lesson he’ll carry with him throughout his career, Tom doesn’t hesitate.
“It’s the trust and belief others have placed in me. As a junior, it’s easy to feel imposter syndrome. But when people trust you, and you start to believe in your own perspective, it’s incredibly empowering.”
Tom sees his generation of planners as uniquely positioned to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time – housing affordability, climate change, and intergenerational inequity. “It’s daunting, but also empowering,” he says. “We’re involved in decision-making, and we have a real incentive for change. That’s starting to play out politically too, through the rise of New Media and Millennials and Gen Z becoming empowered as the largest voting bloc.”
If he could wave a magic wand and change one thing about how we plan our cities, Tom says it would be a shift in mindset – from preserving the status quo to embracing aspirational change. “Planning can play a huge role in addressing housing, sustainability, and social equity. We shouldn’t shy away from that. We have the ability to bring together different skills and perspectives to drive meaningful change.”
His personal values are deeply woven into his work. When asked about the legacy he hopes to leave, Tom reflects on the idea that legacy doesn’t have to mean major projects and region-shaping infrastructure. “It can be local and inclusive – communities that people of all demographics feel proud to be part of. Whether it’s affordable housing in leafy suburbs or the cafes and parks we enjoy every day, planners are custodians of the built environment.”
When asked to sum up his planning philosophy in one sentence, Tom reflects upon the YIMBY notion of planning with heart. “It’s about recognising that planning doesn’t just shape the built outcomes, but also has profound impacts on people, the community and our attachment to place”. Tom reflects upon the work carried out by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority after the 2011 floods as an inspiring example of “good planning being an empowering force for change.”
Tom is especially excited to be part of Therefor Group because of the emphasis on advocacy. “We take pride in shaping the conversation in our profession and our communities. As a student, being taken under the wing of people who are among the best in their field – and being empowered and trusted – has been an amazing experience.”
To Tom, change leadership is about more than just shaping cities – it’s about changing how planners operate and empowering them as agents of change.
“As a young person, I bring an inherent aspiration for change. It’s about amplifying that voice and bringing young people to the table.” And his advice to students thinking about joining the planning profession?
“Planning is such an exciting career, whether your interest is in social justice, environmental sustainability or shaping the future of your city and communities.
You can make meaningful change for others, but then also have a tangible outcome that you can look at with pride. It’s a really unique thing.”
