Our vision is to be a regional leader in inspiring and empowering a diverse range of people to enhance the world with their landscape architectural talent. The Potomac Chapter ASLA Foundation is dedicated to shaping a better future, where we strive to be a catalyst for change, fostering a spirit of innovation and a commitment to sustainable and equitable design practices.
As the philanthropic partner of Potomac Chapter ASLA, we strive to strengthen, expand, and diversify the profession by attracting and investing in landscape architects through our C.O.R.E. principles.
Collaboration
Collaborate with private partners to establish consistent sponsorship support, dedicated group of donors, and strategic fundraising goals.
Opportunity
Provide opportunities for professional development, educational scholarships, grants, research, and technology, we aim to unlock the potential of aspiring landscape architects, especially those facing financial barriers.
Regional Support
Establish a regional avenue to empower and support a next-generation design community in the field of landscape architecture, fostering social, environmental, and global change through the power of design.
Empowerment
Empower the future of landscape architecture by data-driven, research-based environmental design. We will leverage the expertise, relationships, and outreach of our members to plan and execute programs, while establishing strong partnerships with private entities to create lasting educational initiatives and opportunities.
FOUNDING MEMBERS
Horn
Raised in the United States, Malaysia, and Turkey, Jennifer was inspired by the variety of climates and landscapes in which she lived along with the distinction of place. With projects in climates as diverse as the Caribbean, Rocky Mountains, Spain, Greece, and Hawaii she has solidified her expertise in working with native species and environments while furthering a commitment to having minimal impact on the health of ecosystems and habitats.
Jennifer studied horticulture at Virginia Tech and earned a Master’s in Landscape Architecture at the University of Georgia. Prior to opening her own practice, she worked in New York, designing zoo exhibits for the Bronx Zoo; developing the ecological program for Fresh Kills Park on behalf of New York’s Department of City Planning; and designing gardens, estates, and parks for Edmund Hollander Landscape Architect and Deborah Nevins Associates.
Jennifer has written for Horticulture Magazine and has taught at Columbia University’s Landscape Design Certificate Program and Graduate School USA’s Landscape Design Certificate Program.
Jennifer is a regionally licensed landscape architect in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, and is a ISA Certified Arborist. Since founding her own practice in 2009, she has continued to design luxury landscapes for residences, communities, and resorts, and has been named by Washingtonian Magazine as a “womanto watch”.
Varma
Annie is an avid Landscape Architect and Landscape educator. Born and raised in India, she received her undergraduate degree in Architecture and specialized in Landscape Architecture at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. She brings a wide range of design understanding from her experience in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, cultural and historic landscapes, and master planning. Based on her graduate study, she also brings the knowledge of ecological and waterfront design.
She also holds a minor in cultural heritage and museum practices in landscape architecture, and she is passionate about research based design and has published twice. She has served as the President of the Potomac Chapter of ASLA (2021 2022) and currently chairs the Potomac ASLA Foundation. Mom to a nature loving 3 year old, she currently lives with her family in the vibrant city of Austin, TX, runs a private practice and teaches Advanced Landscape Design at the LifeLong Learning Center of the Austin Community College.
Sellers
Matthew Sellers is a 21 year resident of the DC area, moving here from Ohio for graduate school at Virginia Tech in Alexandria, VA. His education is in urban planning and landscape architecture. He is a landscape architect licensed in the state of Maryland, and member of ASLA. His professional history includes work with the landscape architecture firms Stephenson + Good (9 years) and Clinton & Associates (5 years).
He also taught courses in the Landscape Design and Sustainable Landscapes program at George Washington University (12 years). Matthew’s experience includes the design and construction administration of residential gardens, public plazas, playgrounds, perimeter security master plans, multi acre mixed use neighborhood developments, and animal habitats. Currently he is the Landscape Architect at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute providing thoughtful and creative planning and design solutions for the Zoo’s visitors and inhabitants.
Ellern
Carla Ellern, RLA, ASLA, LEED® AP BD+C is a registered landscape architect with Lila Fendrick Landscape Architects in Chevy Chase, MD. She received her Master’s in Landscape Architecture from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard and would like to spread the word about what landscape architects do through her involvement with Potomac ASLA. In the public sector, she worked for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Montgomery County, Maryland in the RainScapes program where she worked with homeowners and communities to reduce stormwater runoff. She’s interested in improving the environment and people’s lives by expanding green infrastructure and sustainability in our landscapes.
Tilson
Rob Tilson, FASLA, PLA has held many positions for the Potomac Chapter. Most notably, he has served as a two-time President from 1993-1994, two-term Trustee from 1998-2003. While serving in these capacities, Rob represented the chapter on the Virginia Licensure Committee (1998-2001), 100 Parks/100 Years Program Committee (1998), and the Centennial Medallion Program Committee (1998). Rob also instituted and re-organized the Nominating Committee for the Chapter and served as Chairman from 2002 to 2003. He co-chaired the Host Committee for the 2010 ASLA National Meeting in Washington, DC.
Nationally, Rob has served in several capacities including ASLA Vice-President of Professional Practice from 2004-2005. During his tenure as Vice President, Rob helped launch the SITES initiative and revamped the Professional Practice Network program and led the Archive Committee to help establish the Fellows database. Rob also served as the Board of Trustees Representative on the Landscape Architecture Foundation Board (2003). In 2005, Rob was recognized as a Fellow for his service to the profession.
As Chapter Trustee, Rob will concentrate on increasing Chapter visibility with other allied professions and work to promote Landscape Architecture and continue to serve as a leader within the ASLA Board of Trustees.
Rob received his Landscape Architecture degree from Purdue University and has been practicing landscape architecture in the Washington, DC metro area for over 30 years. Rob is licensed in Virginia and Maryland.
Thomas
Abby has been in the DC area for over a decade, working on projects at various scales- from quaint residential properties to large campus planning and development efforts on the entirety of the East Coast. She landed in the DMV in 2012 after receiving her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from Penn State University with a minor in Geography. Her current professional history includes work at Campion Hruby Landscape Architects, STUDIO39 Landscape Architecture, and Ayers Saint Gross, with a current position as a Senior Associate at CLINTON+RIES Landscape Architects. She is a licensed Landscape Architect in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a Certified Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional.
Abby’s opportunities to study abroad in Europe and Africa in college coupled with her own explorations to Asia and places within the United States have instilled the value of learning through experience in her professional life. She believes design can influence the unique sense of place and respond to both culture and environment. Her favorite part of design is in refining the details to create unique and contextually appropriate spaces for all users.
Abby has been a strong advocate for Emerging Professionals within the Potomac Chapter. She previously had tenure on the Chapter’s Executive committee and had served two terms as the Emerging Professionals Chair. She hopes that the Potomac Chapter Foundation will increase opportunities for Emerging Professionals and will continue to encourage all Emerging Professionals to participate in their local professional associations.
