Flagstaff Welcomes New Planning Director

The City of Flagstaff is excited to announce that Michelle McNulty has been chosen as the new Director of Planning and Development Services.

Background and Experience

Michelle, a certified planner, brings almost two decades of experience from both the public and private sectors in areas like land use, transportation planning, and community development. She began her journey with Flagstaff City as the Planning Director in 2022 and has held the position of interim Community Development Director since March 2025. Before her role in Flagstaff, she served as Planning Director for the Anchorage Municipality. Michelle earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Ohio State University and a Master of Arts in Rural Geography from the University of Arizona Northern University.

Community Commitment

“Michelle is an incredible addition to Team Flagstaff, and we are excited for her to take on the role of Director of Planning and Development Services,” remarked Deputy Mayor Joan Keene. “Her diverse experience in planning has equipped her to navigate complex issues. She genuinely cares about our community and brings that passion to her work every day.”

In her own words, Michelle said, “I step into my role as Director of Planning and Development Services and am honored to continue serving a community and teams that I deeply care about. We look forward to building on our solid foundations and fostering compassionate growth and a vibrant future for our community.”

As the Director of Planning and Development Services, Michelle will manage the city’s planning, construction services, and real estate operations. This role includes overseeing the newly named Planning and Development Services departments, which were previously the Community Development department.

For more information, questions can be directed to Flagstaff City’s Deputy Mayor, Joanne Keene, via email.

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