Dr. Mansi Sachdev’s current work revolves around integrating climate resilience into urban spatial plans and strategies. In India, master plans, which are known as General Plans for Comprehensive Development Plans in the US, are the only statutory urban planning tool with the cities and the process of master plan development needs an overhaul for climate resilience integration. Dr. Sachdev credits her GRID minor for imparting a nuanced understanding of gender relations and inclusion, key components that have influenced her professional journey. The program's rich curriculum and practical exposure provided her with the tools to critically evaluate gender dynamics across eight different countries, enabling her to advocate for equality and inclusiveness consistently. 

To current GRID students, Dr. Sachdev advises a wholehearted dive into the curriculum's breadth, embracing coursework, seminars, and the practical experiences offered. She highlights the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's abundance of resources that support hands-on learning and stresses the importance of networking for a well-rounded educational journey. Emphasizing adaptability, Dr. Sachdev encourages students to remain agile in their pursuit of solutions to the complex, rapidly evolving gender-related issues of our global society. For those interested in following Dr. Sachdev's ongoing contributions to urban planning and gender dynamics, she can be found on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mansisachdev