Maxwell studied business, marketing, and real estate at Highline College in Des Moines, Washington.
[1] Maxwell served as a member of the Renton School District Board from 2001 to 2009.
[2][3] She was elected to the Washington House of Representatives in November 2008 and assumed office in January 2009.
She resigned from her seat to serve as Governor Jay Inslee's senior education policy advisor.
[4] In January 2019, Maxwell announced her candidacy for mayor of Renton, Washington.