Assistant Planner
Ellie Bain
Ellie is an Assistant Planner providing technical planning support for communities across Michigan. She assists with comprehensive plans, parks and recreation plans, zoning ordinance updates, and other long-range planning initiatives. Ellie began her career at McKenna as a Planning Intern in 2025 before joining full-time as an Assistant Planner. During her internship, she supported a variety of municipal planning projects and helped develop thoughtful, community-centered planning solutions. Prior to joining McKenna, she interned at a planning firm in Denver where she supported similar projects and contributed to the American Planning Association’s Equity in Zoning Policy Guide. Her planning practice is grounded in a commitment to equitable outcomes and expanding access to affordable housing.
Ellie holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Modern History from the University of St. Andrews, where she also rowed competitively. She holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning and a Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Development from the University of Michigan.
Back to people“
I believe that residents are the experts of their communities, and I am committed to community engagement and planning practices that ensure their voices are heard and reflected in the decisions that shape where and how we live.
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