Biography

Below are several examples of biographic summaries depending on the audience.

Academic

Doerner leads a team of researchers who analyze housing finance topics. A subject matter expert in real estate economics, his publications focus on property valuation, market dynamics, and the policy implications of regulatory changes. He previously oversaw the agency's house price index and loan limit production. Known for his data-driven approach, Doerner addresses policy issues across national, state, and local levels. His award-winning work has been featured in academic and industry journals and covered by major news outlets. Doerner's background blends academic insights with practitioner experience. He has served as a Commissioner for the Prince George's County Planning Board, a member of the Hyattsville Planning Committee, and conducted property appraisals for state and county agencies. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics-Economics and Urban Studies from Furman University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Economics from Florida State University.

Practitioner

William M. Doerner, Ph.D., served as a Commissioner and an executive leader on the Prince George’s County Planning Board from 2016 to 2025. In this role, he helped guide long-term growth strategies and park system management as part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), one of the nation's largest regional planning and parks agencies. He applied a blend of practical and academic expertise to real estate development decisions, supported investments in parks and recreation programs, and helped shape policies that promoted modern urban development practices while adapting to evolving community needs and accessibility. He also worked to expand housing supply by advancing policies that facilitated responsible growth, diversified housing stock options, and improved affordability. Prior to his service on the Planning Board, Dr. Doerner contributed to municipal governance as a member of the Hyattsville Planning Committee and worked in property appraisal and valuation for both state and county agencies in Florida. Dr. Doerner recently stepped away from his role on the Planning Board to focus entirely on his primary leadership position at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), where he directs a team of researchers conducting applied research on housing, mortgage finance, and real estate markets. His group's work informs policy decisions at the national level, has won professional awards, and is frequently featured in academic and industry publications, conferences, and major news outlets. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Economics from Florida State University and a B.S. in Mathematics-Economics and Urban Studies from Furman University. Additionally, he was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar in Guatemala and is fluent in Spanish. 


LinkedIn

Will is a recognized expert on housing, mortgage markets, and real estate. He provides thoughtful leadership on policy issues at the national, state, and local levels. His data-driven insights are meant to be approachable and understandable for general audiences. Will supervises a group of researchers and analysts whose products have won national awards, have been published in academic and industry journals, and have formed the basis for stories in leading news sources. On any given day, you might find him enmeshed in coding econometric models, managing databases consisting of tens of millions of observations, tracking nationwide markets, responding to inquiries from the media or public, presenting before professional audiences, preparing data visualizations for social media, or supervising a team of subject matter experts through a lively discussion of emerging trends.