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  • Master of Urban Design and Planning, University of Washington 
  • Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington 
  • Urban Design Certificate, University of Washington 
  • Bachelor of Science, Architecture, Ohio State University 

  • Multiple awards for project excellence from the Governor’s Smart Communities, Puget Sound Regional Council, and Joint APA/PAW 
  • Former chair, University of Washington Urban Design and Planning Professionals Council 
  • Former chair, Social Equity Working Group, APA WA’s Game Changing Initiatives 

Rachel Miller 

Senior Associate – Planner/Urban Designer




With 15 years’ experience in urban design and community planning, Rachel has built a reputation as a leader in race and social justice initiatives and equitable planning work. She brings multidisciplinary thinking to develop equitable community plans, uses urban design to solve multiple challenges simultaneously, and distills complex information into actionable and community-owned plans. Seeking to elevate voices from traditionally underrepresented populations, Rachel strategizes and leads meaningful stakeholder engagement processes. She applies strong community engagement, facilitation, analysis, project management, graphics, and interpersonal skills to help communities understand their options and realize their visions. 

Rachel has organized and/or presented numerous APA and Walkable Washington conference sessions, mostly centered on urban design and equitable development. Prior to joining MAKERS, she provided technical assistance and mapping analysis in the Seattle Community Planning and Development HUD office; interned in the City of Columbus, Ohio Planning Division; coordinated urban design visioning processes in Fairbanks and North Pole, Alaska; and managed community development projects as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali, West Africa.

  • Multiple awards for project excellence from the Governor’s Smart Communities, Puget Sound Regional Council, and Joint APA/PAW 
  • Former chair, University of Washington Urban Design and Planning Professionals Council 
  • Former chair, Social Equity Working Group, APA WA’s Game Changing Initiatives 

  • Master of Urban Design and Planning, University of Washington 
  • Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington 
  • Urban Design Certificate, University of Washington 
  • Bachelor of Science, Architecture, Ohio State University 

Get To Know Rachel

What’s the most inspiring part of your job? Knowing that a city’s form affects big questions—individual and community health and well-being, climate adaptation, natural systems functionality, race and social equity, etc.—and that it reflects our cultures and the many incremental and sweeping decisions made along the way. 

What’s your favorite book or podcast? Hidden Brain podcast—it draws connections between brain science, mindfulness, and societal change 

What’s something people are surprised to find out about you? Despite me truly not being an academic, I’ve somehow (well, due to the stellar landscape architecture and urban planning folks at UW) got a published book chapter: “West African Immigrants’ Hybrid Spaces and Identities in Rainier Valley” in “Transcultural Cities: Border Crossing and Placemaking,” edited by Jeff Hou.