Morgan Murphy

Morgan Murphy joined Metropolitan Planning Council in January 2021. As Director of Marketing and Communications, she leads the development, management, and execution of MPC’s internal and external communications. She is motivated by a passion for highlighting ideas, insights, and analyses to humanize systemic challenges, inspire action, and impact change. Morgan is passionate about bringing people together to foster connection, collaboration, and problem-solving to improve our communities and world.

Morgan has extensive experience in program management, event planning, communications, small business development, and public policy. Since joining MPC, Morgan has managed the strategy and execution of diverse communications, including full website (re)designs, annual reports, multiple photo and video shoots, various speeches, press releases, social media campaigns, and graphic design. She has also managed over fifty events at MPC, ranging in focus from water affordability to Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) and from We Will Chicago (the city’s first city-wide plan in more than 50 years) to region’s first climate action plan.

Taking equity, accessibility, and clear communication seriously, Morgan has built out internal systems for the planning, preparation, and execution of MPC project communications and events. She is a trusted partner and thought-leader on the MPC team and externally.

Prior to joining MPC, Morgan facilitated connection and exchange between Chicago and other global cities as International Program Manager with Chicago Sister Cities International (an initiative of World Business Chicago). This role drew from her time living and working abroad in various capacities within the social impact and social inclusion fields, like working for the Bread Houses Network social enterprise in Bulgaria.

Morgan holds a B.A. in Comparative Cultures & Politics, a B.A. in International Relations, a minor in Spanish, and a specialization in Latin American & Caribbean Studies from James Madison College of Michigan State University. Upon completing her undergraduate study, she received a Fulbright grant to Bulgaria to teach English and conduct research for her master’s study in public policy. Morgan completed her international Erasmus Mundus M.A. in Public Policy in 2018 in The Hague, The Netherlands, and Barcelona, Spain. Her thesis research explored institutional change, cultural policy, (in)tangible heritage, and community space in the context of post-communist Bulgaria.

Morgan is originally from Northern Michigan and made Chicago her home in 2018. She currently lives in Graceland West. Outside the office, Morgan is a visual artist whose creative works seek to uplift and celebrate the beauty and whimsy in the mundane, cliché, overlooked. She is also an avid reader, soccer player, concert goer, and baker.