How can one chapter cultivate future landscape architects and spark national change?

Join this inspiring panel of four ASLA members who modeled National ASLA’s program DREAM BIG with Design and successfully launched a one-of-a-kind conference for high school students as part of their yearly ASLA State chapter conferences. Tapping into local partnerships, they are helping grow the next generation of landscape architects.

In this interactive discussion, you’ll hear and discuss practical strategies to build industry collaborations, connect with high schools in your area, and show students the exciting possibilities that await them with landscape architecture.

Discover how your chapter can take action to expand our collective reach, increase enrollments in landscape architecture programs nationwide, and demonstrate your commitment to strengthening the profession’s future. 

Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025

Time: 1:30 p.m. EST

Registration is required.

About the Panelists

Melda Cipli-Clark, ASLA, MBA

Melda Cipli Clark, ASLA, the founder and lead designer of FineLines Design Studio, brings her European and Anatolian heritage to her work. She graduated with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture in 1993 and has since collaborated with prestigious landscape architecture, architectural, and engineering firms, and builders on various residential and commercial design-build projects in Turkey and the DFW/Texas area. In 2011, she established FineLines Design Studio with a focus on design-centric projects and the guiding motto "Define by Design," emphasizing the importance of master planning in her approach. In 2013, she completed her MBA with a minor degree in Strategic Management to advance her management skills.  With over 30 years of experience in design and project management within the landscape architecture industry, Melda leads her team of designers and technical specialists in translating conceptual ideas into thoughtfully crafted spaces. She manages high-profile residential projects from design to completion, ensuring quality and successful outcomes.

Melda's passion for landscape design lies in its potential for positive impact on the world, and she takes pride in contributing to ecological and cultural projects. Beyond her work at her design firm, Melda is involved in the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee of the ASLA Texas Chapter to advocate for landscape architecture awareness.

Anne Harman, ASLA

Anne Harman, ASLA, PLA, is a landscape architect and irrigator in the State of Texas with Kimley-Horn, a multi-disciplinary planning and design firm. With her Master of Landscape Architecture degree from Kansas State University, she brings a creative yet practical knowledge to the design and execution of her landscape architecture projects. Currently, Anne serves as an advisor for the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Building Industry Leaders program with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas. She has participated in the program for over ten (10) years, serving students all over the Dallas Metroplex. This program educates and mentors high school students on career opportunities in the AEC industry (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) and commercial real estate. Building Industry Leaders strives to enrich the lives of students who participate in the program and promote greater ethnic and gender diversity within our industry and future leaders.

Margarita Padilla-Pose, ASLA

Margarita Padilla-Posey, ASLA, is a landscape architect at Design Workshop located in Austin, Texas. She earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from Texas A&M University.  Margarita has 15 years' experience working in small landscape architecture firms, interdisciplinary firms, and design-build companies.  She is originally from Guatemala, has three daughters who keep her guessing on a daily basis.  Margarita’s sustained involvement in ASLA has been an integral part of her landscape architecture practice since college.  She completed a term as the Central Texas secretary and the Texas chapter conference chair, and currently is the President of the Texas Chapter. She has been involved in the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee since 2013, when she participated in the first Diversity Summit.  Since then, she has been actively involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion, including Dream Big with Design in Texas. Her passion lies in advancing the profession through education, starting at the K-12 level.  Her ability to listen, collaborate, and facilitate demonstrates her firm belief that we must work together to support the growth and diverse future of the profession.

Matt Stubbs, ASLA

Matt Stubbs, ASLA, is an experienced Landscape Architect with a wide variety of in-depth project experience spanning the past 20 years.  Matt has created unique design solutions for numerous public, commercial, and residential projects. His experience includes but is not limited to public open space, master planning, public art, livable center studies, hike and bike trails, private estates, multifamily, mixed-use, and transportation projects.  Matt is the Senior Landscape Architect at DSGN Associates, where he leads their Landscape Architecture Studio KSS at DSGN.  He has a commitment to quality design solutions that benefit all.  He has a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture from Texas A&M University. Matt is passionate about serving his community and his profession. He is currently the Chair of the City of Ennis Parks and Recreation Board, serving the community in which he lives.  He is also involved in the Texas Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, where he serves as Chair of the Diversity Equity Inclusion Committee for the Chapter Executive Committee.