The Downtowners – Valerie Neilson, Executive Director of the Palm Beach MPO
April 30th, 2026
PHOTO BY CAPEHART
To say that Valerie Neilson has experienced Mother Nature’s most divergent extremes would be quite the understatement. She was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, yet also has family roots in the South American coastal nation of Chile — where she has spent significant periods of her life. So one might argue by splitting the geographical difference and living in South Florida enables Neilson — who is Executive Director of the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) — to thrive in an area that makes the best of both worlds. Neilson certainly thinks so. “Experiencing life in both Alaska and Chile has shaped how I think about mobility and the importance of providing options,” she explains. “Those perspectives continue to guide my work today. As our region grows, it is important that we take a balanced approach that prioritizes safety, expands mobility choices, and supports quality of life for people of all ages and abilities.” A Palm Beach County resident since 2011, Neilson, her husband, and their dog Daisy enjoy all that Downtown West Palm Beach has to offer, including “walking along the waterfront, especially on weekends, and visiting the GreenMarket when it’s in season. It is also nice to stroll along Clematis Street and then over to CityPlace to explore.”
What brought you to Downtown West Palm Beach?
I have been with the Palm Beach MPO since 2015. We relocated our offices to Downtown West Palm Beach in 2019 to reflect the values we promote as an organization: accessibility, connectivity, and multimodal transportation. We transformed an underutilized building into our office, and it has since become a hub for regional collaboration because it is within walking distance of Tri-Rail and Brightline. Our Downtown location has also helped us attract and retain talent. And beyond the operational benefits, being in a walkable, vibrant environment has created a more engaging and enjoyable workplace for our team and visitors.
What do your like most about Downtown West Palm Beach?
Downtown West Palm Beach is one of my favorite places to spend time with family and friends. I enjoy walking along the waterfront, especially on weekends, and visiting the GreenMarket when it’s in season. It is also nice to stroll along Clematis and over to CityPlace to explore. There are so many great restaurants to choose from for lunch and dinner, as well as unique specialty shops for dessert or a cup of coffee. For a staycation or when hosting visitors, The Ben and the Hilton West Palm Beach are great options, and the rooftop views at The Ben or Canopy are always a highlight. What I enjoy most is that there is always something new to discover.
How has Downtown West Palm Beach evolved since you’ve been here?
It has experienced significant growth, particularly with the arrival of Brightline and continued investment following the pandemic. New housing, office space, hotels, and local businesses have created a more vibrant and active urban environment. I envision the Downtown West Palm Beach continuing to grow as a true urban center while also maintaining a focus on providing multimodal transportation and thoughtful planning, so that the growth remains accessible and sustainable.