At McKenna, we design communities for real life, starting with our own.

We’re proud to announce that McKenna has been named one of Crain’s Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan for the second consecutive year. More than a line on our resume, this recognition is a testament to our culture, as it is based entirely on the honest feedback and experience of our own employees, reported through an annual survey.

This year, our employees echoed a common sentiment: McKenna’s internal culture reflects the same values we try to bring to our client communities, across balance, growth, celebration, and service.

Flexibility and Quality of Life

Despite the demands of our profession, McKenna has built a culture that values balance and flexibility. 94% of our employees feel that McKenna’s hybrid office schedule and flexible working hours give them the freedom they need to balance personal enjoyment with professional responsibilities. In practice, this is having time to drop kids off at school in the morning or leaving early to coach baseball on a Tuesday night. When late-night City Council meetings arise, planners often start the day a bit later the next morning—ensuring that health, well-being, family, and friends are all prioritized alongside client work.

“Clients rely on us at all hours, and meeting those expectations is rewarding,” said Hunter Whitehill, a Principal Planner – and new dad. “That trust motivates us to go above and beyond for the communities we serve. Because I can shape my schedule to meet those needs, I’m able to be there for my family and still show up fully for our clients.”

Opportunities for Growth

Nine in ten employees said McKenna enables their professional development. From interns to senior managers, our team emphasizes the chance to learn and grow at McKenna. Every role includes opportunities to learn from others, strengthen skills, and step into leadership opportunities with the support needed to succeed.

“There is a real culture of growth, knowledge building, and mentorship at McKenna,” said Principal Planner Jane Dixon, AICP, NCI. “I’ve always felt encouraged to build my skillsets. Whether it be through our monthly Lunch-and-Learns or external training, I’ve been able to push the boundaries of my professional abilities.”

Behind the numbers are practices we’ve built over time, including leadership retreats, regular “Ask A Planner” office hours with senior staff, financial support for professional certifications, and the everyday habit of colleagues sharing knowledge with one another. And these opportunities are deliberate; when our staff gain new skills, our firm’s capacity expands, and our clients see the benefits in more innovative, effective solutions.

Celebration and Service

Every McKenna employee reported that they feel seen and valued by their coworkers. From bridal and baby showers to weekly shoutouts of gratitude to a colleague, we deeply respect and celebrate personal and professional achievements together (and sometimes, we do so with parking lot food trucks).

And this culture persists each and every day; at the drop of a hat, McKenna employees are ready to show up for each other and for our clients. When a busy colleague needs a hand, we step up without hesitation. When our client communities need volunteers, we’re there, ready to lend our time and expertise. Loyalty and service are absolutely central to how we work and who we are.

A Best Place to Work

We thank Crain’s Detroit Business for recognizing McKenna again in 2025. The real recognition, however, belongs to our staff, who make McKenna a place where professional excellence and human well-being reinforce one another. That is what makes us a Best Place to Work, and why our communities can expect nothing less than our best.