Belinda Deines is a vision-oriented civic servant with over 15 years of public sector experience in housing, economic development, coastal resources, environmental review, and transportation. Belinda is a Principal Planner for the City of Dana Point where she is actively working on community engagement for capital improvement and long-range planning projects, including a comprehensive general plan update.

As Vice Director of Professional Development, Belinda created the APA Orange PEEL mentoring program to create connections among Orange County's planners. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies and Planning from UC San Diego and her Master of Public Administration degree from CSU Long Beach.