Voices of Women in Landscape Architecture, Part 15

Left to right: Abigail Thomas, PLA, ASLA, CBLP / image: Kyle McManus; Alexandria Hernandez / image: PBK Marketing; Inge Daniels, ASLA / image: Bob Durling

ASLA's Women in Landscape Architecture Professional Practice Network (WILA PPN) is sharing the next set of profiles of women in the profession (see the previous installment right here). If you'd like to be featured, the PPN's call for submissions will remain open, with profiles being shared on an ongoing basis.

Submit a WILA profile!

These profiles appear on the PPN's LinkedIn group, Facebook group, and here on The Field. This post includes Inge Daniels, ASLA, Alexandria Hernandez, and Abigail Thomas, ASLA.

Inge Daniels, ASLA

What inspired you to pursue a career in landscape architecture?

To work in a field that is simultaneously creative and beneficial to our planet.

Who are the female role models who have influenced your career?

Laura Solano, FASLA, who I had the honor of working for at Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. (MVVA) and whom I consider a mentor to this day, and all of my fellow COLLAB colleagues who inspire me every day.

What advice do you have for other women pursuing a career in landscape architecture?

One of the many perks of this career is that there are so many scales, niches, and ways to practice beyond the conventional large firm environment. Keep searching until you find the one that's the right fit for you.

Can you share with us a project you are particularly proud of and why?

Blair Square Park is a project I completed along with my COLLAB colleague Elise Mazareas Nash, ASLA, PLA, of EMN Landscape Design & Consulting, and Regan Andreola, PLA, of Beals & Thomas. It's a hard-working small park located along an established rail trail that has become a community hub capable of simultaneously hosting events while keeping the trail traffic flowing.

Alexandria Hernandez

What inspired you to pursue a career in landscape architecture?

My father and the architectural wonders Chicago had to offer sparked my curiosity for the profession. With every great building built accompanying it was a beautiful landscape. The feeling I felt while being immersed in the landscape was something I was unfamiliar with and explored further as I pursued higher education after high school.

Who are the female role models who have influenced your career?

My two older sisters have always been my role models growing up. Through their sacrifices and dedication to education, they have always encouraged me to pursue my love of art and challenge myself to pursue a Landscape Architecture degree. Their support allowed me to embrace the challenges of a male-dominated profession and believe I can one day make an impact. I’m grateful for the strong women they are and their impact on my life.

What advice do you have for other women pursuing a career in landscape architecture?

I encourage women to fully embrace their passion for bringing people and nature together. I am filled with pride and joy when I see children, young adults, and their parents make memories in spaces I’ve aided in designing.

Can you share with us a project you are particularly proud of and why?

A particular project I am proud of would have to be Dickinson ISD Elementary School #8. It was my first project where I was given the opportunity to design for children. I had no experience in early childhood development before this project as I was familiar with Sports & Recreational design. Therefore, being able to design for young children to grow, learn, and find love for the outdoors was extremely rewarding to me.

What advice would you give your younger self?

If I could advise my younger self, I’d say: “Failure is not fatal, but a part of the journey.” Every setback I have experienced has brought me valuable lessons in shaping who I have become and will continue to become in the future. Pausing to recalibrate has pushed my way of thinking and designing where I was able to find a solution to a problem through a different lens.

Abigail Thomas, PLA, ASLA, CBLP

What inspired you to pursue a career in landscape architecture?

When I was growing up, I always had an interest in art and being outdoors. I often would see opportunities in the community that others didn't seem to see or care about. In high school, my parents allowed me to go to Penn State's Architecture Summer Camp, which is where I discovered and was introduced to landscape architecture.

Who are the female role models who have influenced your career?

I think I have always been inspired by any woman in an artistic field that is passionate about their craft. The can-do attitude of any woman, to me, is very encouraging. I have always admired the planting designs and breadth of work of Andrea Cochran, FASLA, and Sandy Clinton, FASLA, as well as their philosophies about their work and the profession. I currently have great mentorship in my boss and friend, Kate Ries, ASLA, as well as Siobhan Chewning, ASLA. Their persistence and drive are respected and admired. I also do not want to discount the impact male landscape architect mentors have had on my progression and career!

Can you share with us a project you are particularly proud of and why?

The project that has had the most impact on my career and growth as a professional landscape architect was a student housing project at Emory University. It is the first very large project that I interviewed for on my own, generated the design and design documents for, did an extensive tree protection submission, project managed, and did construction administration—most of which was during COVID. I learned so much and had the pleasure of working with a great client and project team. It really pushed me to the next level of what I knew I could accomplish.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Every task and experience is an opportunity to learn, even the ones that make you uncomfortable or are not successful. If you are leaning, you are growing, and it's always in your time, not someone else's.

Submit a WILA profile!

2024 WILA Profiles:

Voices of Women in Landscape Architecture, Part 1