My name is V Fixmer-Oraiz. I have been working in the environmental sector for over a decade. I came to Iowa after completing a Fulbright in the Philippines. Returning to the Philippines, I was able to reconnect with family members and friends while researching climate change impacts on rural bamboo farmers. Transferring my work to the Midwest, I completed my Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning with an emphasis in Environmental & Land Use Planning.
 
I founded Astig Planning to fuse community organizing techniques with planning frameworks. As a company aligned with a vision toward equity and sustainability, my work has focused on regional planning and community engagement. I have worked with municipalities and counties on comprehensive and master plans and have contributed to the completion of several regional watershed plans, including the English River and Middle Cedar River watershed plans. I am passionate about engaging with people on a range of issues impacting their community, such as stormwater and floods, economic development, racial equity and social justice, and expanding community services. I am a certified yoga teacher and offer classes focused on building community and connecting people.