Not Your Garden-Variety Landscape Architects: Leading Nontraditional Careers - 1.25 PDH (LA CES/non-HSW)

Recorded On: 10/10/2025

Don’t see yourself in a landscape architecture firm? Neither did we. Hear how three landscape architects followed their own path, are working outside the boundaries of the private sector, and are making a difference in their communities and for the profession.

Learning objectives:

Learn how different careers for landscape architects, outside of private design firms, are making a difference in their communities and for the profession.
Learn how a leadership role in local government is transforming the City of Virginia Beach through interdisciplinary partnerships and a focus on creating places of sustained value.
Learn how a public university applies stewardship principles that protect and uplift an institution’s most cherished assets, and advance initiatives that foster a more inclusive, diverse, and healthy campus community.
Learn how a museum is influencing a sustainable and equitable North, and inspiring creativity and imagination for what is possible by advancing community initiatives.

Emily Archer, ASLA, PLA

Deputy Director of Economic Development

City of Virginia Beach

Emily is a Professional Landscape Architect with a Master of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. She has over 20 years of experience working in both the private and public sectors. Emily’s diverse training and experience makes her a skilled leader within the City of Virginia Beach’s Economic Development Department. She oversees Department operations, authors council-adopted plans, manages multi-million-dollar capital improvement projects, and regularly works across departments and with community stakeholders on special initiatives and public-private partnerships. Her integrated solutions support economic vitality, improved transportation, and meet community needs to facilitate the vision and future growth of the City.

Jack Rosenberger, ASLA, PLA

Director of University Planning

Virginia Tech

Jack is a Professional Landscape Architect and the Director of University Planning at Virginia Tech, having recently served as the university’s principal Landscape Architect for the past 10 years. As Director of University Planning, Jack provides support for master planning, campus design principles, design guidelines, management of cultural resources, and pre-authorization of capital projects. Since the completion of Virginia Tech's Master Plan in 2018, there has been a strong desire to create a campus environment that prioritizes equity and inclusion through advancements in the mobility network. Jack holds a BLA from SUNY-ESF (2005) and an MLA from Ohio State (2012).

Jonny Hayes, ASLA, PLA, SEGD

Chief Design Officer

Anchorage Museum

As a Professional Landscape Architect and Chief Design Officer at the Anchorage Museum, Jonny collaborates with internal teams and community partners to advance exhibitions, installations, and interpretive projects as part of an internationally renowned cultural institution in Anchorage, Alaska. In addition to day-to-day operations managing project timelines, teams, contracts, and budgets, Jonny serves the community as the organizer of Anchorage Design Week (2017-present) and leverages experiences gained as a professional landscape architect to co-design projects for positive impact in Anchorage. He is committed to supporting local advocates with expertise in facilitation, planning, design, fabrication, and installation.