LAF Staff - Contact Us

bdeutsch [at] lafoundation [dot] org
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Barbara has a diverse background in both the private and not-for-profit sector. She brings ten years of award-winning marketing experience from IBM before making a career change to become a landscape architect. This experience was influential in the development of LAF’s Landscape Performance Series strategic research initiative. Prior to LAF, Barbara worked on re-greening cities from Hong Kong to Washington, DC.  She served most recently as an Associate Director for BioRegional’s OnePlanet Communities program in Washington, DC to deliver Zero Carbon, Zero Waste, Livable communities.  In addition, she served as Senior Director of Casey Trees where she led the 2002 Street Tree Inventory, Citizen Forester Program, and 1425 K Street Green Roof Demonstration Project. She was principal investigator for the award-winning EPA Grant “The Green Build-out Model:  Quantifying the Stormwater Management Benefits of Trees and Green Roofs in Washington, DC”, which has helped inform EPA’s proposed new stormwater ruling and the District of Columbia’s stormwater planning and programs.

Barbara earned a B.S. in Commerce from the University of Virginia, a Master's in Landscape Architecture from the University of Washington, and was awarded a Loeb Fellowship at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

rbooher [at] lafoundation [dot] org
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Rachel has a diverse background in both the private and nonprofit sectors, with experience in project management, operations management, and grant writing. Prior to joining LAF, Rachel was a grant writer for Sustainable Solutions Partners in California, where she successfully wrote green infrastructure grants and promoted sustainable practices. Past experience also includes work with the World Resources Institute assisting with research, writing, and schematic development for their Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Trading Project and their Farm Conservation Targeting Projects. While attending California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Rachel focused her studies on environmental and development policy, planning, and design. Advocating the need to bridge the gap between policy and effective on-the-ground solutions, Rachel’s thesis investigated issues of scale in sustainable development policy, suggesting the need for policy reforms.

Rachel earned a B.S. in Liberal Studies and Comparative Religion from California State University, Fullerton, and a Master's in Landscape Architecture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

hwhitlow [at] lafoundation [dot] org
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With a background in urban planning, environmental engineering, and education Heather has spent the last decade promoting sustainable development through the use of green infrastructure and alternative transportation. She coordinates LAF’s Landscape Performance Series initiatives, scholarship programs and communications. Prior to joining LAF, she was the Director of Planning & Design at Casey Trees in Washington, DC where she worked closely with policy makers, residents, developers and designers to encourage the use of green infrastructure and promote policies and designs that increase tree canopy. Past experience also includes several years as a transportation planner in local and regional government, managing asset management programs, bike and pedestrian facilities construction projects, and GIS modeling.

Heather holds B.S. degrees in Environmental Engineering and Chemistry from Michigan Technological University, and a Masters of Community Planning from the University of Maryland.

mbarnes [at] lafoundation [dot] org
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As Program Manager, Megan manages LAF's Case Study Investigation (CSI) program, Landscape Performance Series initiatives, and the Green New Deal Superstudio. She has a diverse background in landscape architecture, international development, and nonprofit work. Before joining LAF, she was a two-time Peace Corps volunteer, serving in Guatemala and Panama in health and community gardening. She currently serves on the advisory board for the Coastal Solutions Fellowship program in partnership with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and volunteers with the Neighborhood Design Center and the United States Botanic Garden.

Megan’s eye for design was developed in her childhood, which was spent running around at art fairs while her parents sold their leather and paper goods. Megan has a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment.

dcarbonneau [at] lafoundation [dot] org
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As Program Manager for Scholarships and Leadership, Danielle draws from her training and experience in education, sustainability, and capacity building. Prior to joining LAF, Danielle led learning programs at the World Bank in education reform, youth development, and sustainable development education. In her role of Scholarships Administrator, she oversaw the Bank’s three premier awards programs and developed networks to facilitate knowledge exchange for their scholars and alumni around the world. She is eager to foster engagement among LAF’s alumni and current scholars and fellows and to help them connect with others who share their concern for creating equitable and sustainable built environments.

Danielle holds a BA in English from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, an MA in International Education Leadership from The George Washington University, and an MBA in Sustainable Management from Presidio Graduate School. After nearly 20 years of living in DC and working internationally, she is finally focusing on her own backyard and trying to get her garden into shape!

dbittenbender [at] lafoundation [dot] org
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Dita serves as LAF’s Communications Associate. Prior to joining LAF, Dita served as the Office and Operations Manager at the architectural firm, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill’s (SOM) Washington, DC office. During her time at SOM, Dita coordinated special programs, events, and collaborative initiatives that influenced her interest to become more involved in civic engagement, sustainability, and urban design. Her past experience includes real estate management, business development, graphic design, and communications and marketing.

Dita holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Merchandising from Virginia Commonwealth University, with focus on visual merchandising, photography, and graphic design. During her spare time, Dita is out exploring new dog parks, beer gardens, and trails with her golden retriever Tater-Tot aka Tate.

csanders [at] lafoundation [dot] org
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Christina serves as LAF’s Director of Development. Prior to joining LAF, Christina spent time in the private sector focused on leadership and financial growth for a Fortune 100 company. Raised in the suburbs by a landscape architect, Christina sheepishly admits that she didn’t fully appreciate the value of landscape architecture until she moved to her first city. There, she became a frequent visitor of and an avid supporter of various forms of urban social infrastructure, especially her neighborhood parks.

As a converted urbanist with a love for the outdoors, it’s not uncommon for Christina to log a few thousand miles on her bike(s) each year. Christina holds a Bachelor of Science in marketing and hotel, restaurant, and institutional management from the University of Delaware.

jwestley [at] lafoundation [dot] org
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Justin serves as LAF’s Development Associate. Before joining LAF, Justin supported fundraising and advancement initiatives at Pittsburgh Festival Opera and the NYC-based public art organization Creative Time. While an appreciation for the environment began during years as a Boy Scout, it wasn’t until Justin studied placemaking in graduate school that he understood the role the creative sector can play in building sustainable and resilient communities. 

Justin holds a Bachelor of Music from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy. He can be found wandering through museums, strutting on the dancefloor, or exploring nearby state parks.