Gisla Bush Augustin

Gisla is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University (FAU) where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Design and a minor in Geographic Information Systems (with cum laude honors) at the age of 18; she completed her Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the age of 21. Gisla is currently a Planner at the City of Pompano Beach in Florida, the Chair of the Planning and Zoning Board in West Park, Florida, and a business owner. Her entrepreneurial spirit and creative passion led her to establish Gigi The Planner, LLC, a consulting and coaching business for the field of urban planning. 

 

Gisla is the recipient of many awards and honors. She has presented at national, state, and local conferences and many other venues. In 2019, because of the success of her business, she was invited to present at the National American Planning Association (APA) in San Francisco, California. Gisla is the Chair-Elect for the Planning and the Black Community division of the APA.

 

Gisla’s tutoring vocation began at the age of 15 when she volunteered as an assistant tutor at her church’s Saturday tutoring program.  She was soon entrusted with the position of lead tutor. While attending FAU, she was recruited and hired as a calculus tutor.  For more than 10 years, Gisla has continued to tutor and prepare students for various standardized tests.  In 2016, when the church’s tutoring program ended, there was an outcry from the parents and the community expressing concern about the overwhelming need for academic support and resources.  In response, Gisla, along with her two sisters, started G.B.3 Literati tutoring program in order to affect change in their community by increasing and involving educational awareness of parents and enhancing the academic skills and self-esteem of the youth.  

 

In her free time, Gisla enjoys time with her husband, children, and extended family. She also loves playing the piano, researching, and expanding her knowledge and skills in order to address the needs of the community as it interfaces with the development and sustainability of its people and land.