Gwen Wright Removed as Planning Director and Deputy Director Tanya Stern Made Acting Planning Director

Per Montgomery Planning: The Montgomery County Planning Board voted to name Deputy Planning Director Tanya Stern as Acting Montgomery Planning Director on October 7, 2022. The Planning Board voted to remove Gwen Wright as Planning Director. The Planning Director position is an at-will position that is appointed by the Planning Board. Tanya Stern has been a Montgomery Planning Deputy Director since August 2018.

Gwen Wright served as Planning Director since July 2013. She began her tenure with M-NCPPC in 1987 and was due to retire at the end of December 2022. “We thank and appreciate Gwen Wright’s many years of service to M-NCPPC and Montgomery Planning and the legacy of excellence in planning and urban design by Montgomery Planning during that time,” said Acting Planning Director Tanya Stern. “During this time of transition, I will be working very closely with senior leadership to help ensure Montgomery Planning can continue to focus on its excellent work that is highly respected in this region and across the country.”

About Tanya Stern: Prior to joining M-NCPPC, Stern served for 14 years in the Government of the District of Columbia, including eight years at the DC Office of Planning (OP) as Deputy Director overseeing neighborhood planning and urban design and as Chief of Staff. She was Project Director to launch the recently completed DC Comprehensive Plan update and led the integration of resilience into the Comprehensive Plan and updates to 12 chapters. Ms. Stern also has served in the Executive Office of the Mayor and other District government agencies. Additionally, she has 11 years of non-profit sector experience. Ms. Stern holds a master’s in city planning from the University of Pennsylvania and is certified through the American Institute of Certified Planners and as a Certified Public Manager.