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.
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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 research exploring the interplay between sensory sensitivities and outdoor environments among neurodivergent individuals.
She is nationally recognized as the 2022 LAF National Olmsted Scholar, honored for her leadership potential, innovative ideas, influential communication, and public service that foster human and societal benefits. She leveraged insights from her research to drive innovation in the inclusive design of outdoor environments, both as a Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) Fellow for Innovation and Leadership and as the founder of the NeuroScapes Design Collective.
Kathryn currently serves on the Metro Regional Government’s Committee on Disability Inclusion and works at a Japanese design-build firm specializing in therapeutic and restorative design.
As a trail enthusiast, she enjoys nearly any activity that gets her outdoors. When not hiking, biking, skiing (or contributing to landscape projects) she writes, plays guitar, crafts artwork, and cherishes her time spent with her family and community.
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.
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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.
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