About Kathryn
Kathryn's background has centered on human-environment relationships and systems connectivity, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of how the built environment and outdoor spaces intricately intersect with our lives. She has been actively involved in community projects, design research, landscape design, and environmental stewardship, positioning her to contribute effectively to roles related to design, planning, and research initiatives.
With a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Planning and Interpretation from Cal Poly Humboldt, Kathryn's work history spans roles within local and federal government agencies, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and consulting environments. Later, she pursued her Master of Landscape Architecture at the University of Colorado, where she received several awards for her community-engaged study exploring the interplay between sensory sensitivities and outdoor environments among neurodivergent individuals.
She is nationally recognized as the 2022 LAF National Olmsted Scholar, acknowledging her leadership potential, innovative ideas, influential communication, and public service that foster human and societal benefits.
Kathryn currently serves on the Metro Regional Government’s Committee on Disability Inclusion and is leveraging insights from her thesis study to drive innovation in the inclusive design of outdoor environments as a Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) Fellow for Innovation and Leadership.
As a trail enthusiast, she enjoys cycling, mountain biking, and hiking. She also participates in water and winter sports. When not recreating outdoors (or contributing to inclusive design and landscape enhancement projects), she writes, plays guitar, sings, creates visual artwork, and spends time with her family and community.
Torey Carter-Conneen, ASLA CEO
"My first trip for the year was out to Denver to join the Land 8x8 Lightning Talk. There was an amazing range of speakers that reflected the diversity of practice, projects and design thinking–very innovative. I was so inspired by Kathryn Finnigan’s presentation. Kathryn is a graduate student in the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado in Denver and the 2022 LAF National graduate Olmsted Scholar. In her 8 minute presentation, Neuro-Inclusive Spaces, Acoustically and Sensorially Supportive Landscapes, she explained the important design considerations for people who identify as neurodivergent. Her vision will transform spaces for so many throughout our society and it highlights, yet again, how landscape architects are uniquely qualified to solve many of our biggest social challenges."
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Olmsted Scholar project
Kathryn's Olmsted Scholar project was a community-engaged, IRB-certified design research project, conducted in close collaboration with neurodiverse communities over a span of approximately 2 years. The central aim was to explore the intricate relationship between sensory sensitivities and outdoor built environments, with the ultimate goal of catalyzing transformative, human-centered design solutions. She will continue to advance the research deliverables through the LAF Fellowship for Innovation and Leadership.
Please CLICK HERE to watch a Land 8 8x8 talk about Kathryn's design research.
EDI Statement
The communities we impact through our work, especially those historically marginalized, benefit from outdoor spaces to breathe, connect with nature, and advance their mental, physical, and social wellbeing. Kathryn aims to collaboratively cultivate inclusive, accessible, and healthful built environments suited for a diverse spectrum of users.
Please CLICK HERE to watch I AM FOR.