Title: Healthy Communities Planner
Organization: Indiana State Department of Health
Location: Indianapolis, IN

Pete Fritz is the Healthy Communities Planner with the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity. He has a passion for working with project stakeholders in planning and designing great communities with a focus on promoting healthy, active lifestyles through changes to policies, systems and the built environment. Pete has a unique background in community planning and landscape architecture, working in both the public and private sectors. Pete graduated from Ball State University with bachelor degrees in landscape architecture and environmental design. He has over thirty years of extensive experience in urban planning, urban design and transportation-related design.

Pete’s current projects include developing and facilitating a series of active living workshops and managing a statewide bicycle and pedestrian planning grant program. He is also developing partnerships with ISDH and other State agencies to promote physical activity and better nutrition throughout the state. Pete is a registered landscape architect a certified professional planner.

Why are you motivated to participate in the Health Leaders Network? How will your participation enhance your current and future work?

This program is a great opportunity for me to use by background as a design, planning and public health professional to explore new partnerships in my work. I have learned that I cannot influence community-level change working in isolation. Participation in this program will enable me to meet new partners and learn new approaches for creating healthier communities in Indiana.