Membership Breakfast - September 2026

What does it take to plan for the future of a thriving community like Westerville?

As Westerville continues to evolve alongside the rapidly growing Central Ohio region, business leaders, residents, institutions, and local governments all have a role to play in shaping what comes next. Join us for an engaging conversation about the business of community planning and the critical decisions that influence economic development, workforce attraction, infrastructure, housing, transportation, quality of life, and long-term prosperity.

Chamber President & CEO Matt Lofy will guide a conversation with Monica Dupee, City Manager for the City of Westerville; Dave Efland, Planning & Development Director for the City of Westerville; and Kyle May, Associate Principal at MKSK, the firm behind the development of Westerville’s Comprehensive Plan.

Together, they’ll explore the vision outlined in the City’s Comprehensive Plan and the strategies shaping Westerville’s future growth and development. The conversation will examine how comprehensive planning helps communities balance opportunity and preservation, respond to changing economic conditions, and create an environment where businesses and residents can thrive together.

Attendees will gain insight into how strategic planning decisions shape not only Westerville’s built environment, but also its business climate, talent pipeline, infrastructure, community identity, and long-term economic vitality. Whether you’re a business owner, employer, developer, community stakeholder, or engaged resident, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of where Westerville is headed—and how you can help shape its next chapter.
 

Meet the Panel!

Monica Dupee, ICMA-CM, serves as City Manager for the City of Westerville, Ohio, where she made history as the first woman to hold the position when she was sworn in in January 2021. Under her guidance, Westerville has solidified its status as one of central Ohio’s most business-friendly communities by utilizing municipal-owned electric, water and data center utilities to stabilize costs and foster long-term economic growth.

Dupee’s career is defined by a deep technical expertise in municipal infrastructure and public safety, including experience specifically in municipal electric systems and managing water, sewer and storm sewer utilities. Additionally, she has served as the Public Safety Director in every City Manager role she has held, ensuring a comprehensive approach to community welfare and infrastructure. Her professional journey began in Wauseon, Ohio, followed by her education in Michigan, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Legal Certificate from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Master of Public Administration from Wayne State University.

Before her tenure in Westerville, Dupee served as the City Manager of Painesville, Ohio, where she managed a $77 million budget, and as the City Manager of Napoleon, Ohio. Her early career included roles as the Assistant to the City Manager in Troy, Michigan, and as the Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority in Imlay City. Recognized frequently for her leadership, Dupee was honored with the Early Career Leadership Award from the ICMA in 2016 and named one of Cleveland Magazine’s “Ones to Watch” in 2018. In 2019, Heritage Ohio presented her with the Outstanding Leader in Revitalization award for her impactful work in historic preservation.

Dupee lives in Westerville with husband Steve, her two young children, and her rescue dog, Buster.
 

David Efland, FAICP, brings 33 years of municipal planning experience to his role leading planning, building and engineering operations for the City of Westerville, Ohio, a community of approximately 40,000 residents known for its award-winning, historic Uptown district.

Prior to Westerville, Efland spent 18 years with the City of Delaware, Ohio, guiding significant growth and revitalizing its historic Downtown, which earned both APA Ohio Great Place and APA Great Place in America honors.

Inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Planning Association (FAICP), the profession’s highest honor, he holds a master's degree in planning from The Ohio State University and a bachelor's degree in planning from Miami University.