2019-2020 ILASLA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Trustee

Susan Ragaishis, a ffiliate asla earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Arizona, where she studied Theater Performance, Directing, and Art. After 10 years of professional theater, she changed her focus to nonprofit management and worked in administration for the Latino Institute, corporate development for Brookfield Zoo, and as a Regional Director for the American Cancer Society. She joined the Illinois Chapter ASLA in 2011 and works with the Executive Board and Committee Chairs to provide rich and meaningful experiences for members, advocate for the profession and engage allies for the chapter.

Rob Reuland, asla, pla is the Studio Director at site design group, ltd. (site). He earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Purdue University. As a licensed Landscape Architect, Rob’s professional experience is diverse, with a focus on planning and visioning, historic preservation, parks and recreation, and riverfront design. Before serving as President-Elect, he served the Illinois Chapter ASLA as the External Communications Chair.

Keven Graham, fasla, pla, clarb, is a Senior Landscape Architect with TERRA engineering based in Chicago. Keven leads the landscape architecture group at TERRA, overseeing four offices providing service throughout the Midwest and Internationally.

Keven received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University. He has served the Illinois Chapter ASLA in the past at various levels, including Chapter President and Trustee. Keven serves on several national committees focused on policy, government affairs, and leadership

Magdalena

Aravena, asla, pla, s a designer at Lamar Johnson Collaborative in Chicago, with six years of experience in Landscape Architecture, and is an engaged volunteer and leader in ASLA. Driven by her experiences as a first-generation immigrant from Chile, she is passionate about exploring the role of designers in improving disadvantaged communities through education, advocacy, and collaborative design.

Most recently, she served as ILASLA Membership Co-Chair and Advocacy Committee Member. Nationally, she is invested in representing Illinois, through her more recent roles in the ASLA Finance and Investments Committee Member, and as one of six members of the ASLA CEO Search Committee, which led to the eventual hiring of Torey Carter-Conneen as our ASLA CEO and Executive Vice President.

Brad McCauley, asla, pla, cdt, is the Managing Principal at site design group, ltd. (site), who specializes in construction detailing and contract documentation. Through Brad’s extensive knowledge in transforming design into buildable projects, he has helped facilitate numerous award-winning public spaces. Brad’s leadership is exemplified through his position as Trustee of the Illinois Chapter ASLA, as well as his service as the 2014 Illinois Chapter President, on ASLA’s National Member Services and the Financial and Investment Committees, and as a member of the Stewardship Council of The Cultural Landscape Foundation. A licensed landscape architect, Brad has also received Construction Document Technology certification from the Construction Specification Institute.

Secretary

Cassandra Rice, associate asla, s a landscape architect and planner at site design group, ltd. (site). Her work focuses on synthesizing environmental, economic, and cultural influences to create evidence-based, sustainable strategies. She is passionate about community-based design, aiming to create innovative and engaging participatory processes for all of her projects. Some of her recent projects include the Chicago River Design Guidelines, the Milwaukee Harbor District Design Guidelines, and the University of Chicago Laboratory School Master Plan. Prior to serving as the Chapter’s secretary, Cassandra served as the 2017-2019 Emerging Professionals Co-Chair and the 2015-2016 Awards Chair. She is also actively involved in the American Planning Association

Treasurer

A lan Watkins, asla pla clarb, is an account representative with Clarence Davids & Company and an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. He earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign and a Master of Business Administration from Northern I llinois University. His responsibilities at Clarence Davids & Company entail developing and maintaining business relationships with current and prospective clients as well as managing landscape construction and landscape maintenance projects. He is actively involved in a variety of professional organizations. He served as President of the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 2016, is currently serving as the Chairperson of the University of Illinois Department of Landscape Architecture Resource Committee and is also an active member in the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association.

Committee Chairs

Advocacy Chair: Mark Jirik, asla

Awards Chair: Eric Braun, asla

Celebration Co-chairs: Sarah Dreier, asla Jenna Pfau, asla

Communications Co-chairs: Jim Forrester, asla Lara Remitz, asla

Education Chair: Amanda Arnold, asla

Emerging Professionals Co-chairs: Camille Applewhite, asla Cassandra Rice, asla

Fellows Nomination: Susan Jacobson, fasla

Fellowship Chair: David Traphagen, affiliate asla

M embership Co-chairs Adam White, asla Magdalena Aravena, asla

S ervice Committee Chair: Michael Finn, asla

S ponsorship Chair: Amy Olson, asla

Webmaster: Deborah Steinberg, asla