LAF Staff - Contact Us

bdeutsch [at] lafoundation [dot] org
202-331-7070 x12
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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 of 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
202-331-7070 x10
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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 of Landscape Architecture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

hwhitlow [at] lafoundation [dot] org
202-331-7070 x16
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With a background in urban planning and environmental engineering, Heather has spent her career promoting sustainable development through the use of green infrastructure and alternative transportation. As Sr Director of Programs & Communications, she helped to develop and oversees LAF's 8 signature programs, as well as the organization's strategic communications. Prior to joining LAF, she was the Director of Planning & Design at Casey Trees in Washington, DC and spent 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 BS degrees in Environmental Engineering and Chemistry from Michigan Technological University, and a Master of Community Planning from the University of Maryland. She wears many hats, both in the office and at home, her favorites being her bike helmet and ski helmet.

csanders [at] lafoundation [dot] org
202-331-7070 x13
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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.

mbarnes [at] lafoundation [dot] org
202-331-7070 x15
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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
202-331-7070 x14
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As Program Manager for the LAF Fellowship for Innovation and Leadership and the LAF Olmsted Scholars Program, 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!

vcarter [at] lafoundation [dot] org
202-331-7070 x20
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Valerie serves as Program Manager for LAF scholarships and forthcoming scholarship-internship-mentorship program. Prior to LAF, Valerie worked at AT&T as a sales and communications specialist. Other experience includes operations management and event planning and promotion. In these roles, she mentored and provided coaching for employees. She has also volunteered her time playing piano at nursing homes and helping at food banks.

Born in Richmond and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, she attended Piedmont College. She spent four years in Brooklyn, New York, then moved back to Virginia and now resides in Arlington. In her free time, Valerie is a voracious reader and loves listening to audio books, drawing, and occasionally playing the piano for family and friends.

jwestley [at] lafoundation [dot] org
202-331-7070 x19
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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.