Mollie Kuchma

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Geography, GIS & Environmental Analysis, University of Guelph (2012)
Master of Science - Rural Planning and Development, University of Guelph (2014)
Master of Public Administration, Western University (2018)

Bio Summary

Mollie is an experienced community planner with more than a decade of professional practice working with small, rural and medium-sized urban municipalities and Conservation Authorities in Ontario, specializing in land use planning, development and environmental review. She is a full member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP) and a Registered Professional Planner (RPP), and has been qualified as an expert witness in land use planning on multiple occasions.

Mollie is dedicated to education and mentorship through teaching and volunteer initiatives. Her focus in the classroom is on experiential learning and preparing students for professional practice. She continues to serve as a mentor and sponsor to Professional Standards Board (PSB) candidates on their journey to becoming Registered Professional Planners.

Mollie's research aims to connect policy and research to practice, using experience in the field to inform and contribute to her research projects. In particular, her research interests include:

• Rural housing: homelessness, attainable housing and affordability strategies in small and rural communities. 
• Shoreline development: the impact of private development on the public realm within the Great Lakes basin. 
• Rural local government administration: local government decision-making capacity.
• Professional planning capacity: access to resources and information necessary to make informed recommendations and decisions.

Affiliations

Canadian Institute of Planners
Ontario Professional Planners Institute