For the last 25 years, I have worked as a Licensed Landscape Architect in the Mid-Atlantic region, have been a Certified Planner with the American Institute of Certifed PLanners (AICP) since 2010, and LEED certified since 2008.  As a Landscape Architect, my responsiblity is to balance the needs of the environment with the needs of the community.  Every design  incorporates social, environmental and economic goals to be successful.   

 

My former role as a landscape architect and planner in a predominantly engineering firm provided me with a unique opportunity for being prepared for the current concerns about community resiliency.   When I began my career, I learned storm water management design to fill out my billable time.  This education has been a tremendous experience because understanding runoff and flood issues allowed me to find ways to incorporate these “engineering” requirements into aesthetic and ecological designs, thus finding a balance between function and form.  Understanding the concerns of other professionals improved communication and collaboration, which in turn improved the outcome of site design and planning projects. 

 

The health of the planet and the health of planet's residents are inextricably linked. Planners have the responsibility to ensure that all members of the community; transportation planners and engineers, environmental scientists, geomorphologists, environmentalists, health professionals, developers, municipal staff and leaders, engineers, architects, clergy, educators and the public; are communicating with each other to understand that they are all working towards the same goal - a viable, sustainable society.  My recent studies at Georgetown University obtaining a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning supported my passion for learning, thinking and collaborating.  I pursue all these things with other health-minded community builders.