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The UDP Professionals Council

The UDP Professionals Council (PC) is a volunteer group of planners in the greater Seattle region who mentor students, primarily in the Master of Urban Planning (MUP) program. Each first-year MUP student is paired with a PC member based on shared interests. Mentors help students network, identify internships, provide career advice, and more.

In addition to one-on-one mentoring, the PC organizes events throughout the year, including studio tours, speaking panels featuring prominent planners, social events, and a thesis celebration at the end of the academic year. The PC plays a key role in helping students transition from classroom to career.

The results speak for themselves: in a recent survey, nearly 90% of alumni respondents reported securing a planning-related job within one year of graduation. The Professionals Council is a unique resource among planning programs and is recognized by the Planning Accreditation Board as a national model.

UDP Professionals Council Funds

The Professionals Council has established two funds to support MUP students and their professional growth:

UDP Endowed Equity Fellowship

This fellowship supports the recruitment and success of  MUP students from diverse backgrounds, with preference given to those who are first-generation college students, have experience overcoming adversity, or demonstrate a commitment to DEI. Learn more about the equity fellowship.

Donate to the equity fellowship

UDP Professionals Council Endowment

This fund provides ongoing support for UDP students and their professional development. Example expenditures include mentorship activities, travel, networking, and educational events for students, professionals, and alumni.

Donate to the endowment fund

Professionals Council Events

The Professionals Council hosts a variety of events each year, offering students opportunities to connect with their mentors and build professional networks. Events range from neighborhood tours and office visits to resume clinics and networking sessions.

While many events are designed specifically for MUP students, the Council also organizes a quarterly lecture series that is open to the broader community.

View Upcoming and Past Events

Meet Your UDP Professionals Council

Ben Bakkenta

Director of Regional Planning
Long range, regional growth and transportation planning, TOD, equitable development.

David Blum, AICP

President, Montgomery Gulf Corp
Affordable housing development, economic development.

Steve Butler, FAICP

Planning & Policy Manager, MRSC (Municipal Research & Services Center)
Land use planning, comprehensive planning, innovative development regulations, affordable housing techniques, urban design, engaging youth in the planning process, development review

Michael Chen

Associate Principal | Land Use Planning, Mackenzie
Land use planning.

Sara Cubillos

Marty Curry, AICP

UW Affiliate Faculty, and Curry Consulting
Infrastructure planning; community engagement; collaborative planning; systems approach.

Nancy Eklund

Long Range Planning Manager, City of Tukwila
Comprehensive  planning, long range, policy. 

Anne Fritzel

Housing Programs Manager, WA State Dept. of Commerce 
GMA, short course, housing.

Ted Gage

Principal Planner, Eldred & Associates
Tribal planning, growth management, community participation/public involvement.

Lisa Grueter, AICP

Principal, BERK Consulting, Inc.
Land use and environmental planning.

Katy Haima

Erika Harris

Senior Planner, PSRC
Environmental planning, regional planning, SEPA

Jess Harris

Green Building Program Manager, City of Seattle
Green building, sustainability, permitting and entitlements

Paul Inghram, FAICP

Growth Management Program Director, Puget Sound Regional Council
Regional planning, comprehensive planning, housing, environment, development, economics.

Arun Jain

Urban Designer, Fulbright Specialist
Multi-disciplinary Urband Design and Strategy.

Mike Katterman

Community Development Director, City of Bellevue
Comprehensive planning, affordable housing, economic development, transportation.

Jenn Kester

Planning Manager

Rick Krochalis, AICP

Former Regional Administrator, Federal Transit Administration (retired)
Transit oriented development, transportation planning, land use regulations, governance.

Doug Larson

Land use policy and economics, real estate.

Denise Lathrop

Community Development Director, City of Des Moines

Public policy focused around land use, transportation, food systems and environmental issues; urban design; city planning and community engagement.

Al Levine

Retired, formerly Deputy Executive Director, Seattle Housing Authority (1998-2013) and Affiliate Faculty
Affordable housing, mixed income communities, Transit Oriented Development

Rebeccah Maskin

King County Demographer
Long-range planning, regional planning, county planning, GMA, data analysis, GIS.

Andy Micklow

King County Council
Regional Planning, Policy Analysis, Gender 

Rachel Miller

Senior Associate – Planner/Urban Designer, Makers LLC 
Urban Design

Ellen Miller-Wolfe

Economic development, historic preservation, and public art.

Christopher Ndifon

Land Use Planner, City of Seattle
Land Use

Ike Nwankwo

Formerly with Department of Commerce (retired)
Growth Management, housing.

Elise Rasmussen

Climate and Environmental Justice Associate

Miranda Redinger

Jesse Reynolds, AICP CFM

Principal Subarea Planner

Subarea and Comprehensive Planning, Spatial Planning, Hazard Mitigation, Community Engagement

Mandi Roberts, AICP. RLA

Katie Sheehy

Strategic Advisor, Seattle Office of Planning & Community Development
Community planning in Seattle’s neighborhoods, racial equity in urban planning and local government; neighborhood walking tours; building connections with planners in other parts of the country.

Janet Shull

Strategic Planning Manager, City of Bellevue
Urban design, sustainability, neighborhood/subarea planning, TOD.

Rob Strauder

Jamie Stroble

Liz Underwood-Bultmann, AICP

Puget Sound Regional Council
Regional Planning, growth management, land use.

Karen Wolf, FAICP

Former Senior Policy Analyst, UW (retired)
Comprehensive planning; regional planning; American Planning Association. 

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Updated: October 2024