https://www.nationalamla.org/home3 daily 0.75 2020-07-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/1594271273339-LE01OJGB09DS4CAYCPX6/image-asset.jpeg Home The National Association of Minority Landscape Architects (NAMLA) mission is to champion racial, cultural and class diversity at all levels of landscape architecture education and practice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/1594271519893-KLANYJ4JI5IW3I6AL4UE/image-asset.jpeg Home Show your support through financial donations or by joining one of our activist committees. https://www.nationalamla.org/make-a-donation daily 0.75 2020-10-12 https://www.nationalamla.org/home daily 1.0 2024-07-10 https://www.nationalamla.org/get-involved daily 0.75 2023-03-25 https://www.nationalamla.org/our-purpose daily 0.75 2025-01-03 https://www.nationalamla.org/firm-directory daily 0.75 2026-03-11 https://www.nationalamla.org/new-page-1 daily 0.75 2020-09-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/1599376529942-T9955C41OTZKNGXR57G6/NAMLA_Slideshow_Image_01_WhiteBackground.png New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/1599442672462-TEEPK5N22ELAXJCGARCV/Slideshow_Image_02.jpg New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/1599376577878-VUP8MQGO4R7FFJDMOUJA/Slideshow_Image_03_KEEP.jpg New Page https://www.nationalamla.org/job-listings daily 0.75 2026-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/abc3d0b2-6ebd-4d88-bf11-d72fb95dd455/StandAlone_Logo.jpg Job Listings - PlaceWorks Job Opening Mid- to Senior-level Interpretive Planner/Designer April 4, 2026 PlaceWorks has an immediate need for a mid-to senior-level interpretive planner/designer to join our team. We are looking for an individual with 6 - 8 years of professional experience in project management, interpretive planning and exhibit design who is creative, outgoing, self-starting, and passionate about helping shape and improve communities through their work. In addition, this planner/designer must have a strong interest in parks and open space, and engaging underserved communities in the development in the interpretation of California’s natural and cultural history. Working in a collaborative and casual work environment under the guidance of skilled senior staff, this team member will help lead PlaceWorks’ Landscape and Park Planning teams currently working with local and State agencies, and particularly, California State Parks, as well as with community organizations and non-profit partners, to manage projects involving interpretive planning and design. We have a current need for this planner/designer to assist with the following: Help lead projects coordinating interpretive planning, design and fabrication for interpretive media, including but not limited to interpretive media related to California Native American heritage and culture. Help lead projects requiring research, evaluation of interpretive materials, and development of interpretive guidelines and standards. Support several projects with California State Parks that will engage California communities, including communities of color, tribes, underserved communities, and others regarding park and open space access. Current projects include an emphasis in increasing and improving arts, culture and interpretation in parks, and more accurately and comprehensively addressing African American and tribal history and culture in park programs and exhibits. Assist with the planning, design and development of interpretive master plans for parks and public spaces, as well as the public outreach and engagement related to these projects. This position is ideally based in our Berkeley office or Sacramento office. However, remote work may be considered for qualified candidates who reside more than one hour from either office location. Remote employees must be located within California to support team collaboration. We are open to this position being part-time or full-time, depending on the range of skills a candidate possesses. You’re most likely a fit if: You love planning for the future of communities and making a difference with your work. You have strong writing and communication skills. You are creative, self-starting, outgoing, collaborative, a good listener, and passionate about your work. You can work both independently and in a highly collaborative environment with team members across the state. You have a diverse portfolio of completed projects, including exhibits and/or interpretive panels and interpretive planning documents (such as Interpretation Master Plans). You have strong writing skills as well as verbal communication and interpersonal skills, and solid client communication abilities. You’re comfortable with public speaking and presenting—you’ll be expected to represent PlaceWorks at community meetings and interviews. You’re able to attend and travel to client meetings and community workshops which may occasionally occur on weekday nights and weekends. You have experience managing complex projects, including schedules, budgets, client coordination, subconsultant coordination, and staff delegation. You have strong leadership and management abilities to grow, mentor, and lead staff members. You can cultivate a culture in which all staff feel respect, trust, and safety, and are empowered to be their authentic selves. You have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe Suite, and PowerPoint). You have a reliable means of transportation to and from work, and to perform site visits and attend meetings when needed. In addition to the above, you’ll stand out even more if: You are a NAI certified interpretive Planner. You have experience working in parks and open spaces, such as National Parks, State Parks, and/or regional parks and/or preserves. You have experience working with California Native American tribes. You have a strong interest in California natural and cultural history. You have experience in park and open space planning and/or design. You have confident and fluid freehand drawing and graphic skills. You are a registered California landscape architect, or have NAI certification. We work in a wide array of communities throughout California, and we encourage candidates from non-traditional backgrounds to apply. The pay range for this position is $85,000 - $140,000 per year, dependent upon experience and other relevant factors. When applying, attach your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample or design portfolio as three (3) separate PDF attachments. Each attachment must be under 500KB. Alternatively, include a link to your writing sample/design portfolio if it exceeds 500KB. In your cover letter, please specify which office location you are interested in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/3c768ab8-378f-4f41-8bba-fcb26e482407/260213_Resilience+Lead+SF+Job+Post_FINAL.jpg Job Listings - SCAPE Job Opening Resilience Project Leader February 19, 2026 SCAPE is a landscape architecture and urban design practice headquartered in New York with offices in New Orleans and San Francisco. We design and advocate for the ecologically restorative and socially engaged landscapes, urban environments, and nature-based infrastructure of the future. We are looking for landscape, urban design, or planning professionals with 5-10 years of experience leading master plans and/or resilience and adaptation plans. Landscape architects, urban designers, and planners with highly relevant planning experience in this field are encouraged to apply. Individuals would work with interdisciplinary design and planning teams to support risk assessment and resilience strategy development across diverse projects with a focus on site, neighborhood, campus, and regional resilience plans. We are looking for creative and motivated designers/planners with an understanding of the science of climate change and related impacts on the landscape, who are adept at applying that knowledge to lead climate adaptation and resilience strategies. Applicants should have knowledge/experience with applied research, climate science, asset inventories, vulnerability and risk assessments, and developing adaptation strategies for flooding (sea level rise, coastal flooding, and rainfall/stormwater) and extreme heat; experience with additional/other climate hazards is a plus. Experience developing resilience plans for public agencies or institutions is strongly preferred, and experience in California or the West Coast is a plus. Applicants should have experience in using large data sets in GIS and developing and executing geospatial analysis related to land use/land cover, topography/hydrology, and social/demographic factors. Finally, applicants should have strong verbal, visual, and written communication skills and be able to translate planning principles into clear, compelling visuals. LOCATION This position is open to candidates interested in joining our San Francisco Office. Please note that SCAPE highly values in-person collaboration and currently operates on a 3-days in-person/2-days remote hybrid work policy. COMPENSATION Salary for this role is commensurate with experience and ranges from $85,000-$115,000 with highly competitive benefits, PTO, and 401K match. QUALIFICATIONS An Undergraduate or Master’s degree from an accredited program in planning, landscape architecture, architecture or urban design.  5-10 years of professional experience in a resilience or climate adaptation related area which could include, but is not limited to resilient design, resilience planning, floodplain management, or hazard mitigation planning.   A collaborative disposition and comfort with iterative workflows.  Strong communication and presentation skills for both internal collaboration and client relationships.  Comfortability leading internal and external teams through complex projects and coordination.  Familiarity and fluency with land use planning and environmental regulations/policy is a plus.  Experience leading built adaptation/resilience projects, particularly with natural and nature-based features, is a plus.  Experience leading corridor planning, implementation planning, and campus planning is a plus.  High level of proficiency in software including, but not limited to, the Adobe Creative Suite, ArcGIS, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.   Demonstrated experience leading internal project teams through different project phases and experience coordinating with external consultant teams and agency partners.  Able to create workplans, prioritize and delegate tasks, guide designers and design teams through all phases of a project, and manage budgets, staffing, and projections DEADLINE & SUBMISSION Applications are due by February 27th, 2025 . Please review the application portal and this job posting in detail before reaching out to jobs@scapestudio.com with any questions. If the file size exceeds the limit for email attachments, please use a file transfer service such as Box or WeTransfer, so long as there is not an expiry time. Please limit work samples to 10 pages maximum. Acceptable examples of work include relevant written content, graphic layout work, project cutsheets, proposals, and/or other relevant print/digital media. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/cc8b552d-21bd-4bba-a392-e71c60f0afc0/6867232.jpg Job Listings - Auburn University Job Opening Research Associate I-IV February 2, 2026 The School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Research Associate to join the Landscape Infrastructure Design Lab. LIDL conducts design research using landscape architectural methods to advance the design, planning, and management of nature-based infrastructures. This is a 12-month, limited-term, externally-funded position. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of funding and satisfactory performance. It is expected but not guaranteed that additional external funding will be available to renew the position in future years. Review of applicants will start 23 February 2026. Anticipated start April-June 2026. Minimum Requirements: Masters degree in appropriate discipline Minimum Skills and Abilities: Candidates must evidence a sophisticated approach to design, grounded in the integration of aesthetic, cultural, and ecological dimensions of landscape. This approach may include but must not be limited to strictly quantifiable measures of landscape performance. Candidates should be familiar with software used in landscape architectural representation, including Adobe CS. Candidates must evidence the capacity to effectively produce landscape architectural representations of dynamic environments like coasts. The candidate should be willing to learn basic physical and numerical modeling methods. The successful candidate will demonstrate commitment to the timely completion of deliverables and strong potential to work collaboratively with both a large research team and diverse stakeholders. Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills are required. Desired Qualifications: Experience with nature-based infrastructure design and/or design for dynamic landscapes shaped by the interaction of water, sediment, and vegetation Experience with Rhinoceros modeling software and GIS mapping software Experience with research-by-design methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/976b3f49-c4d2-4e7d-828f-fb61551b4bb6/6856070.jpg Job Listings - Auburn University Job Opening Full-Time Visiting Assistant Professor Landscape Architecture January 17, 2026 The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture (APLA) at Auburn University, a comprehensive land-grant and research institution, is seeking applicants for Visiting Assistant Professor in Landscape Architecture. This is a one-year (nine month/two semester), non-tenure track position commencing in August 2026. The Landscape Architecture Programs seek a candidate with a strong interest in teaching both design studios and seminar courses. Candidates should have the capacity to teach at least some portion of: a) core studio sequences (Studio I-IV & Workshop I-II in the BLA program; Studio I-IV in the MLA program) and b.) core subject tracks (construction; dynamic systems; graphic studies; history, theory, and practice; plants). Possible opportunities to teach elective seminars/advanced studios within the Alabama Lab. Possess a Master of Landscape Architecture degree or a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture plus a terminal degree in a related field at the time employment begins. Must be able to meet eligibility requirements for work in the United States at the time this position is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment. Auburn University is an EEO/Vet/Disability employer. Evidence of outstanding design skills, the capacity to sharpen our landscape history and theory offerings, a focus on beginning design instruction, experience with contemporary drawing and modeling techniques (i.e; analog media, Rhino, Grasshopper, ArcGIS, or digital fabrication), experience in professional practice, experience in teaching, professional registration, and/or advanced degrees in Landscape Architecture or related fields. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. The successful candidate will have a strong design philosophy grounded in contemporary practice and will have a track record of investigating contemporary issues through techniques that translate to a design studio setting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/f4225531-d942-4bf3-95fd-b6e1a0761d03/SCAPE_VisualizationSpecialist_Graphic.jpg Job Listings - SCAPE Job Opening Visualization Specialist January 16, 2026 SCAPE is a landscape architecture and urban design practice headquartered in New York with offices in New Orleans and San Francisco. We design and advocate for the ecologically restorative and socially engaged landscapes, urban environments, and natural infrastructure of the future. Our staff of over 80 individuals includes landscape architects, urban planners, urban designers, architects, ecological designers, horticulturists, and community engagement professionals—and a deep bench of technical expertise related to construction, regulation, and agency review. We work across disciplines, collaborating with architects, developers, engineers, agencies, institutions, foundations, and grassroots environmental justice and community groups on projects across all scales. We believe that creativity doesn’t end with design, it extends through every facet of the practice from initial concepts, through detail development, spec writing, project management, mentorship, professional development and beyond. We are looking for someone to join our team who matches our interests in creativity and innovation who will become an integral member of our practice. ABOUT THE ROLE We are seeking a Visualization Specialist with 2+ years of experience supporting graphic production for design teams. This position is equivalent in level to a Designer role at SCAPE. Candidates with backgrounds in Landscape architecture, urban design, or graphic design with highly relevant experience in this field are encouraged to apply. This role will work closely with SCAPE’s interdisciplinary design and planning teams to support project work and design competition entries across a wide range of project types and geographies. We are looking for creative, motivated visualization experts with an understanding of landscape and site systems, and the ability to adeptly translate that knowledge into clear public-facing graphics and visuals. Applicants should have experience with applied 3D modeling, rendering, animation, and image post-processing, and be proficient in. modeling software, the Adobe Suite and image generation tools/software. Strong verbal, visual, and written communication skills are essential, along with the ability to effectively translate design concepts into Compelling and high-quality visual materials. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES Contribute to the development of project work and competition entries under the direct supervision of SCAPE’s Senior Visualization Specialist, Urban Designers, and Landscape Architects. Demonstrate initiative, process innovation, problem-solving skills, and sound decision-making with a high level of precision and accuracy at the task-specific level. Produce presentation-quality visual and graphic deliverables. Produce 3D models for renderings using models and inputs provided by design teams. Demonstrate knowledge of composition, regional landscape texturing, lighting, rendering, and post-production techniques. Demonstrate a working knowledge of basic animation techniques. Demonstrate clear and timely written, verbal, and visual communication skills. Demonstrate a foundational understanding of landscape materials, site systems, topography, and planting. Manage time and workload to meet project deadlines and commitments, with regular coordination and direction from managers and team members. Contribute to the development and advancement of SCAPE’s CGI library and visualization tools/techniques specific to landscape, vegetation, and site work. QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS Degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Graphic Design, or related fields. Proficiency in Rhino and 3DS Max, with experience using Corona and/or V-Ray Strong post-production skills using Photoshop, After Effects and the entire Adobe Creative Suite. Working proficiency with image-generation and visualization software such as Lumion, Enscape, or D5. Familiarity with additional 3ds max plugins and scripts, Unreal Engine, Unity, and/or Premiere Pro, is a plus. SALARY & LOCATION This is a full-time salaried position with benefits. The salary range, commensurate with experience, is $75,000-$85,000 with highly competitive benefits, PTO, and 401K match. The role is based in our New York studio. Please note that SCAPE highly values in-person collaboration and currently operates on a hybrid schedule with a minimum of three days in the office per week. DEADLINE & SUBMISSION Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through February 15th, 2026. Please upload your professional Resume, work sample/portfolio and any additional required materials to the application portal at www.scapestudio.com/contact. You may also find a link to the application here. Please review this application form and job description in detail before reaching out to jobs@scapestudio.com with any questions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/8054ac3b-3318-416a-bd94-a2728148f890/ORCA+graphic.png Job Listings - ORCA Job Opening Designer, L.A. Office January 10, 2026 This role is essential to the gardens we design and embodies ORCA’s ethos to keep our mission as the north star at all times: using plants and materials in their rawest form to (re)connect humans with earth. They are constantly seeking new ways to approach landscapes and how we can present design and approaches that embody the ORCA aesthetic. This position will direct the visual communication of designs to our team and clients, and work in tandem with designers and builders to oversee the details that make our designs come to fruition. Lead design for residential and commercial landscapes from ideation to final concept presentation, overseeing mood boards, renderings, sketches, and other mixed mediums Project briefing: ensure design assets are in order including site planning, site maps, and photos Efficient communication of design intent and delegation Oversee layouts in AutoCAD, Figma, and material boards for client presentations Manage designers and freelance drafters throughout the design process Project management of design from concept through to construction management Key Qualifications: Design acumen aligned with ORCA ethos Excellent writing & communication skills Proficiency in AutoCAD, Figma, Google and Adobe Creative Suite Ability to do hand sketching, strong knowledge of case studies and conceptual imagery Experience with construction and landscape FFE 5+ years of experience working in a landscape design studio Location: Based in Los Angeles studio in Highland Park Onsite/field time and some travel required Benefits package: 100% employer paid health, vision, dental insurance 401k savings with 3% employer match Profit sharing Flexible hybrid work environment Healthy PTO Dog friendly studio To apply, please email zach@orcaliving.com with the subject line: ORCA Designer. Please include your resume, location, and a short note about why you think you'd be a good fit. https://www.nationalamla.org/student-chapters daily 0.75 2026-01-27 https://www.nationalamla.org/board-of-directors daily 0.75 2026-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/7c5d3274-de2a-489b-88d1-b3fbfacd6e61/Maria+Villalobos.jpg Board of Directors - Maria A. Villalobos H., Director Villalobos is an Associate Professor at IIT in Chicago and Director of the Master in Landscape Architecture and Urbanism program. She earned her Ph.D. at the esteemed School of Landscape Architecture of Versailles, France, where she delivered a dissertation on the Botanical Garden of Roberto Burle Marx, which explored the creative process for the regeneration of urban landscapes. In recognition of her outstanding achievements, she received the first prize in the Venezuelan Architecture Biennial in 2017 for the Rehabilitation of the Botanical Garden of Maracaibo. Villalobos also holds a Master in Design Studies from Harvard University Graduate School of Design and was honored with the Annual Award for Excellence in Housing Design in 2004. Her professional experience includes working at the New York Department of City Planning from 2005 to 2009, focusing on the recovery of Lower Manhattan after 9/11, and developing world-class public projects in New York, Mexico City, and Rio de Janeiro as part of the team at Arup NYC. As Co-Founding Artist Creator at Botanical City, Villalobos emphasizes preserving endangered cultural landscapes and overcoming abandonment in cities. She serves on the Lincoln Yards Advisory Council, the Committee on Design for the Department of City Planning in Chicago, as well as a Board Member of Friends of the Park in Chicago and a Core Member of Dark Matter University. Her contributions to the field have earned her the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture 2022 Excellence in Design Studio Teaching Award, and she currently serves as a Board Member of Friends of the Park in Chicago since 2023. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/1624517284123-CAGRKINESHL7B1CODBK2/Nola+Talmage Board of Directors - Nola Talmage, Director Nola Talmage is a Landscape Designer and graduate of the UCLAx Landscape Architecture Program. She’s also a Founding Principal at Field Sound — a Los Angeles-based landscape design studio. Nola is a mother of 2 young children and has lived in Los Angeles for 25 years. In her previous career she worked in commercial photography as a technical assistant, producer, and location scout. Her advocacy work includes serving as the Membership Chair for the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee for a number of years. Most recently she’s engaged as a student outreach volunteer with YO! 4 LA (Youth Outreach for Landscape Architecture in Los Angeles), a committee of the Southern California ASLA Chapter. Nola is the recipient of the Landscape Architecture Foundation Peridian International/Rae Price FASLA Scholarship, as well as the 2020 Class Fund Scholarship. https://www.nationalamla.org/newsletter-archive daily 0.75 2024-05-05 https://www.nationalamla.org/volunteers daily 0.75 2026-02-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/2ae9e548-38e9-4792-8f04-f1b105b4b4dc/Mavi_Headshot.jpg Volunteers - Maria Victoria Arias, Volunteer Born and raised in Venezuela, Maria Victoria Arias Montero, also known as Mavi, graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture and is currently working on her Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a founding member of the National Association of Minority Landscape Architects student chapter at UC Davis, and founding member of the National Association of Minority Landscape Architects at University of Pennsylvania. Mavi's primary aim is to create a sense of community where everyone's voices are heard, and to increase minority representation in higher education. In addition to her leadership roles and academic accomplishments, Mavi was awarded the title of 2023 LAF Olmsted Scholar for her outstanding leadership within the LA+ED program at UC Davis. Mavi worked as a Research Assistant on a project titled "Understanding the socio-economic benefits of educational outdoor recreation programs for underserved youth of color." The project is a collaboration between UC Davis, the US Forest Service, and an organization in the Los Angeles area called Outward Bound Adventures. Through this research, she contributed to the betterment of underserved communities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/5d033606-db97-482c-9413-c1357001ab33/Darius_Bottorff_Headshot.jpg Volunteers - Darius Bottorff, Volunteer NAMLA Volunteer Darius Bottorff is a Landscape Designer who graduated with a BSLA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is currently working on his MLA from Harvard Graduate School of Design. In his leisure, he's a digital and traditional artist using bold colors and mediums such as acrylic, watercolor, poster color, and ballpoint pen. When he's not tackling creative projects, he's playing soccer, volleyball, or volunteering with NAMLA. Darius strives to help NAMLA spread awareness of underrepresented and underserved populations in Landscape Architecture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/d23cacc4-82e2-410a-90c6-f7474b59625d/Annette+Contreras+-+Official+Headshot.jpg Volunteers - Annette Contreras Buenrostro, Volunteer Annette Contreras Buenrostro is a landscape designer at Curtis + Rogers Design Studio in Miami, Florida with a passion for environmental justice and community-driven public spaces. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of California, Davis in 2024 with a minor in International Agricultural Development. Her academic and professional work explores the intersection of ecology, equity, and urban design through research-based methods, focusing on projects that empower underserved communities. Annette has contributed to a range of design and planning initiatives including transit-oriented development, climate adaptation strategies, coastal resilience, urban farming, and public realm improvements across South Florida and Northern California. She brings a holistic and people-centered approach to design, with the belief that equity is both measurable and achievable through landscape architecture. Previously, she served as Treasurer and Vice President of the National Association of Minority Landscape Architects (NAMLA) at UC Davis and has gained additional experience with the USDA Forest Service, UC Davis Medical Center, and the City of Sacramento Planning Department, and more. Outside of landscape architecture, you’ll probably find Annette exploring nature, geeking out over insects and plants, cooking something new, running long distances, or planning her next travel adventure in Mexico. In her role as NAMLA’s Student Chapter Liaison, she aims to promote mentorship, visibility, and leadership opportunities for emerging minority designers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/7a736a9a-42e8-48f7-99ec-5b3b7fc763de/Fatema+Ali+Tuschi.png Volunteers - Fatema Ali Tushi, Volunteer Fatema is an architect and landscape architect who is a strong supporter of the idea that good design must not merely fulfill code but also provide positive experiences for people. Having more than 5 years of experience in architecture and 3 years experience in landscape architecture, Fatema applies a multidisciplinary lens to everything she does — which is largely driven by social and cultural equity. Being a lifelong animal lover, an adventurous traveler, and an unashamed free soul, Fatema is attracted to places that narrate a story of place recognition and place evolution. She is oriented toward leadership through service, mentoring, and promoting global diversity and inclusion. She joined NAMLA to collaborate on working towards achieving positive outcomes for people, planet and places. https://www.nationalamla.org/staff daily 0.75 2025-06-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/88993e38-516a-499a-a40c-82bb1f097848/Steven+Chavez+Headshot+Square+2025.jpg Staff - Steven E. Chavez, Executive Director NAMLA Founder and Executive Director Steven Chavez was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California. He is a licensed landscape architect and Founder of SCLA (Steven Chavez, Landscape Architect). Steven currently teaches landscape architecture at UCLA Extension. Steven’s core values include creating experientially-rich and long-lasting public spaces – especially in underserved communities. Close observations on racial inequality in landscape architecture prompted Steven to start NAMLA. The lack of people of color who are decision-makers in how American landscapes are apportioned, utilized, designed, and taught, fuels his commitment to the organization. Steven holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Washington and a Master of Fine Art in Photography, with an emphasis on urban landscape photography, from the University of Ulster. Chavez is an avid photographer of interstitial public spaces — and utilizes photography to hybridize art, architecture and landscape to explore new types of affordable small-scale urban prototypes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e671e595cc05f676058b2ec/69bc2884-d5aa-4ba4-a73f-8c086b7fc333/Brenda+Rodriguez.jpg Staff - Brenda L. Rodriguez, Secretary NAMLA Secretary and Treasurer Brenda L. Rodriguez was born and raised on the Texas-Mexico border — in Brownsville, TX. She’s been a journalist for 25 years, covering news in Texas and currently producing entertainment news stories in Los Angeles. Additionally, she has managed news websites for MSN and AOL. Brenda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. While her career has spanned print, digital and television, one thing has remained constant: she is passionate about contributing to her community and helping minorities succeed in the workplace. She believes in the work NAMLA is doing and wants to see students and professionals benefit from the resources NAMLA has to offer. During her spare time, Brenda volunteers with Hang Out, Do Good (HODG) and the Los Angeles Community Fridges (LACF) group. For Hang Out, Do Good, she makes lunches for the Hollywood Food Coalition to feed people in need; in addition, to contributing other resources. https://www.nationalamla.org/donorsandsponsors daily 0.75 2025-10-08