KARA LANAHAN, PLA, ASLA

Landscape Architect, Montgomery Parks (MNCPPC)

Kara has practiced Landscape Architecture in the DC area for over 12 years, leading diverse projects ranging from intimate residential gardens to complex commercial sites. Throughout her career, she has focused on weaving a site’s history into spaces that are experientially rich, ecologically grounded, and timelessly beautiful.  In her current role with Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), she designs and manages a diversity of parks, playgrounds, and other public spaces for Montgomery County.  Before entering the public realm, Kara was a Principal at Horn & Co., where she ran the commercial practice and oversaw key residential projects.  She is particularly proud of her work at Oehme van Sweden,  where she rose to the position of Senior Associate and designed a range of landscapes, including the recently completed WWII FDR Prayer Memorial on the National Mall.  Licensed in Maryland, she holds a degree in Biology from Colby College and a Masters in Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia.

JULES KRINSKY, PLA, ASLA

Landscape Architect, Rhodeside & Harwell

Jules Krinsky is a creative problem solver, landscape architect and urban designer who has worked in the Washington Metropolitan area since 2012.  Currently, Jules works as a Landscape Architect with the multi-disciplinary firm Rhodeside & Harwell in Alexandria, VA.  At Rhodeside & Harwell, Jules works on projects ranging from small local parks to US Embassy projects around the world and everything in between.

Jules received a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Georgia and a Master’s of Science in urban design at Georgia Tech.  He is a licensed Landscape Architect in the State of Maryland.

BEL St. JOHN DAY, ASLA, PLA, AICP, LEED AP

Landscape  Architect, Bradley Site Design

Bel has more than fifteen years of experience in the industry and ten years now at Bradley Site Design located in Washington, DC. Her experience ranges from US Embassy projects across the globe to education and redevelopments in Washington, DC and surrounding areas. She loves the challenges each new project brings and provides a holistic approach that addresses them with innovative solutions. As part of her research at BSD, Bel has pursued a particular interest in sustainable, renewable energy implementation methods that work seamlessly with Landscape Architecture design principles.  

Bel received her Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Purdue University and is a a licensed Landscape Architect in Virginia.  She also serves on Purdue University’s Professional Advisory Council.

STEPHANIE PANKIEWICZ, ASLA, PLA

Partner, Land Design

Stephanie directs a number of LandDesign’s large-scale urban design and long-range master planning projects for some of the nation’s leading developers. As a creative project leader, she applies her knowledge by offering innovative approaches with state-of-the-art design tools to engage diverse stakeholders for building consensus and understanding. She enjoys working at a variety of scales throughout the design process and remains uniquely involved in all stages of a project. Her experience as a landscape architect includes urban design, park planning and design, community master plans, site planning, design guidelines, and streetscapes with a focus on utilizing green infrastructure techniques.

An example of LandDesign’s success under her leadership has been the number of significant projects in which Stephanie has been involved along the evolving redevelopment of the Washington DC area Metro Silver Line transit area sites. Located in Tysons, Fairfax County’s new downtown, and the urbanizing core of Reston, Virginia, these developments are transforming the region. Stephanie has been instrumental in creating the dynamic public realm and private amenity spaces that seamlessly integrate office, entertainment, and urban parks by interweaving pedestrian connectivity, flanked with amenities, commercial and residential spaces, all while emphasizing each’s unique client, program and character. Of note is The Boro – a 17-acre, transit-oriented mixed-use project in Tysons, Virginia that began in 2010 with several blocks already completed. The center crown jewel of this multi-functional hub is the popular Boro Park and its thoughtfully designed public open spaces for activities that enrich the community.

AMY SOMMER, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP

Division Manager, CPJ

Amy is relatively new to the DMV area, having moved to Maryland two years ago from the New York City area to join Charles P. Johnson & Associates and is the Division Manager for the Silver Spring Planning Department. She is excited to get more involved locally after having been active in the NYASLA chapter for many years. At CPJ, Amy enjoys collaborating on projects with multiple disciplines and mentoring junior staff. She has over 20 years of experience in the industry, having worked on a wide range of complex projects from housing developments to green roofs, waterfronts, campus masterplans, transit stations, historic sites, schoolyards, and public parks throughout the East Coast. Amy currently holds licenses in Maryland and New York and is a LEED AP. Before moving, she served on the Hoboken (NJ) Shade Tree Commission for 6 years and was Chair for 3 years. As Chair, she lead the annual street tree planting program, approved tree planting and removals for new development, advised the Special Improvement District, and planned Arbor Day events with local schools.

Amy grew up on Long Island, NY and holds an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and an MLA from the Rhode Island School of Design. Outside of work, she is a huge history buff and has been enjoying working on her house in Kensington and exploring the DMV area with her husband and two daughters.

KAL ALMO, ASLA

Landscape Architect, AECOM

I discovered landscape architecture when I was in graduate school and was fascinated by its ability to directly address the ecological concerns of the built environment.  I worked for my landscape architecture professor (Diana Balmori of Balmori Associates) while in architecture school. After graduating, I looked for opportunities where architects could work closely with landscape architects to develop integrated solutions for buildings and sites.  After obtaining my architecture license, I transitioned to the landscape architecture profession, becoming a licensed landscape architect in 2021.

I am a landscape architect, project manager, architect, and urban designer currently working at AECOM in the Buildings + Places group. My interests include landscapes over structures, the integration of landscape and architecture elements, and resilient landscapes in the urban environment. In the past several years, I have led landscape architecture and architecture design projects that range from re-envisioning urban streetscapes to creating design guidelines for federal campuses. I have worked within a variety of market sectors including commercial, health care, arts & cultural, government, and higher education projects. I am very much looking forward to serving as a Member-at-Large for the Potomac Chapter of the ASLA.

JAKE FETTIG, ASLA

Associate, RHI

For projects both close to home and overseas, Jake Fettig designs landscapes that reflect a sensitivity to culture, context, and long-term sustainability. He believes in landscape architecture as a vital ingredient in creating communities that are vibrant, equitable, and healthy. Jake advocates for the thoughtful integration of ecological measures within the urban realm, and in connecting people with the natural environment in ways that inspire, heal, and delight.

Jake holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech, a Master of Science in Technology Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Science and Technology from James Madison University. His work has ranged from the design of parks and public gardens to urban residential settings and American embassies.

Jake’s prior career with the World Bank enabled him to travel extensively and develop a deep appreciation for the wonders of different climatic and cultural regions of the world.

LAN HOGUE, PLA, ASLA

Senior Associate, Michael Vergason Landscape Architect, Ltd

Lan has over twenty years of experience working as designer and project manager for a wide range of projects, in scope and scale and in both the private and public realm. She received her Master’s in Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia and is a licensed Landscape Architect in Virginia. Her works at Michael Vergason Landscape Architects have received both local and national awards. Beyond design and project management, Lan continues to advocate for gender equity in the design of the built environment. She presented on this topic at the Association for Community Design conference, American Institute of Architects Design DC conference, and Women in Architecture lecture series. To promote awareness of design in the urban environment in her local community, she partnered with local organizations to lead Jane’s Walks through DC and Arlington neighborhoods.

ISABELLA JIMENEZ, ASLA, SITES AP

Designer, Land Design

The Potomac Chapter region is where Isabella first developed a foundation in landscape – both as a discipline and a lived experience. Some of her earliest memories include picnicking on the National Mall, biking the steep hills of Rock Creek Park, and celebrating holidays with family along the Old Town Alexandria waterfront. Growing up in and around Washington, D.C. was a profoundly formative experience, shaping not only her sense of design but also instilling a strong sense of civic responsibility and a deep appreciation for the power of place. Grateful to have been raised in this cultural hub and iconic city, Isabella seeks to honor that upbringing by using the skills gained through practice and study to serve the region’s diverse, resilient communities and environments.

Formally trained at the University of California, Davis—in a landscape markedly different from her home, Isabella has since worked on a broad range of project types, both locally and internationally. This diverse exposure has provided her with a wide-angled understanding of the built and natural environments and fuels her ongoing pursuit of translating space into place. She is committed to approaching each design with a focus on authenticity, integrity, and the intention of leaving every landscape imbued with purpose, beginning with her own garden, which she tends to with joy.

TONY KOSTRESKI, PLA, ASLA

Senior Landscape Product Specialist | Vectorworks, Inc.

Tony Kostreski, PLA, ASLA is a landscape technology enthusiast bringing municipal, institutional, mixed-use, and high-end residential site design proficiency to his role as senior landscape product specialist at Vectorworks, Inc. Kostreski has improved the efficiency of design-build and landscape architecture firms across the United States through best practice workflows in design, modeling, documentation, GIS, and BIM.

Committed to empowering the next generation, Kostreski delivers customized workshops at universities, equipping students with essential tools. With a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Maryland, College Park, Kostreski brings a solid educational foundation.

An active member of professional associations, Kostreski has served as the secretary and program committee chair for the ASLA Maryland Chapter and is currently a member-at-large for the ASLA Potomac Chapter and serves on the ASLA Digital Technology PPN. His expertise and dedication position him to shape the future of our local landscape architecture community, driving innovation and sustainability.

RACHEL SCHNEIDER, ASLA, PLA

Senior Associate, RHI

A talented and accomplished landscape architect and project manager at RHI, Rachel Schneider brings an artistic and resourceful vision to her work in historic landscapes, green infrastructure, and urban parks and public spaces. Her portfolio spans the mid-Atlantic and ranges from prominent projects at the Hirshhorn Museum, the Freer Gallery of Art, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to citywide sustainable measures to support the DC Clean Rivers Project.

Rachel’s appreciation for historic, social, and ecological context is reflected in her holistic approach to planning and design. She is passionate about equitable placemaking and revealing unexpected histories in the landscape. With versatile skills as a manager, designer, and artist, she is proficient in guiding multidisciplinary teams and community engagement efforts. Rachel holds a degree in Fine Arts, Sculpture +  Extended Media from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Landscape Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Rachel’s interests reflect a love of landscape and the arts, including gardening, hiking, sketching, and sculpting.

MATTHEW SELLERS, PLA, ASLA, LEED GA

Landscape Architect, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Matthew Sellers is a 21-year resident of the DC area, moving here from Ohio for graduate school at Virginia Tech in Alexandria, VA. His education is in urban planning and landscape architecture. He is a landscape architect licensed in the state of Maryland, and member of ASLA. His professional history includes work with the landscape architecture firms Stephenson + Good (9 years) and Clinton & Associates (5 years). He also taught courses in the Landscape Design and Sustainable Landscapes program at George Washington University (12 years). Matthew’s experience includes the design and construction administration of residential gardens, public plazas, playgrounds, perimeter security master plans, multi-acre mixed-use neighborhood developments, and animal habitats. Currently he is the Landscape Architect at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute providing thoughtful and creative planning and design solutions for the Zoo’s visitors and inhabitants. Matt is also Acting Treasurer.

Christine Cotter

Before joining the Potomac Chapter of ASLA as Executive Director, Ms. Cotter was Vice President, Public Relations at American Professional Agency, Inc.  She brings more than 20 years experience in managing and working with membership organizations, as well, including the American Society of Psychoanalytic Physicians, American Psychiatric Association district branches, Maryland and District of Columbia Society of Clinical Oncology, and others.  Cris works with our boards and volunteers and is responsible for the administration of the association, as well as membership retention and services.