This month, we celebrate Maddy Poehlein’s one-year work anniversary at Winterbrook Planning!

Maddy joined our team as an intern planner, bringing a unique combination of expertise in environmental studies and public health. Currently pursuing a dual Master of Urban and Regional Planning and Master of Public Health at Portland State University, Maddy has already made remarkable contributions to our projects. Her interdisciplinary background allows her to approach planning challenges through lenses of equity and health, while her technical skills in GIS, spatial analysis, and community engagement make her an invaluable asset to Winterbrook.

Her journey

Maddy’s journey into urban planning is as diverse as her talents. From working in bike shops (where her love for planning began) to guiding sea kayaking adventures in Alaska and living in Mallorca, Spain, as a teaching assistant, her life experiences shape the thoughtful and people-centered approach she brings to her work.

In her time with Winterbrook, Maddy has continued her work as a planner on critical issues at the intersection of environmental justice and land use planning systems. She’s a champion of the idea that the built environment plays a crucial role in public health and well-being—a philosophy she lives out in her professional contributions and personal passions.

Outside the office, you’ll find Maddy biking around Portland, exploring local businesses, strumming her guitar and fiddle, and enjoying long walks through the city she grew up in and loves.

Thank you, Maddy, for your dedication! We can’t wait to see what the next year holds!