Speak Up & Sound Smart: Effective Communication Strategies for Landscape Architects - 1.25 PDH (LA CES/non-HSW)

Recorded On: 10/10/2025

How much is poor communication costing you? Brilliant ideas mean nothing if they aren’t heard. Many landscape architects hesitate to speak up, losing opportunities. This session provides strategies to manage nerves and communicate confidently. This isn’t theory—it’s hands-on coaching to help you Keep Cool, Speak Up, and Sound Smart.

Learning objectives:

Identify and manage performance anxiety using science-backed techniques to stay composed, think clearly, and communicate with confidence under pressure.
Identify and eliminate unconscious habits of vocal tone, body language, and other areas that may undercut confidence, ensuring your presence aligns with your message.
Strengthen verbal communication skills such as pitch, pace, and volume to enhance clarity, authority, and engagement in high-stakes conversations.
Master nonverbal communication techniques such as posture, gestures, and eye contact to project confidence and credibility.

Chelsey Rives

Founder

Volcano Heart

Volcano Heart, founded by Chelsey Rives, helps professionals master communication that inspires confidence, fosters collaboration, and drives results. With a master’s from Harvard’s Institute for Advanced Theatre Training and studies at the Moscow Art Theater, London Academy of Theatre, and Stanford GSB, Chelsey blends world-class training with real-world expertise.

A former actress, educator, and coach, she specializes in voice, body language, and storytelling, working with executives, architects, and nonprofit leaders to refine their messaging and presence. Her deep understanding of stress and high-stakes environments equips clients with practical strategies to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Elaine Kearney, ASLA, PLA

Managing Principal

TBG Partners

Elaine Kearney, ASLA Fellow-Elect Elaine is Managing Principal of the San Antonio office of TBG Partners, which specializes in creating compelling civic landscapes rooted in the ecology and unique environment of the Edwards Plateau region. She is passionate about equipping landscape architects from all backgrounds with the communication skills to amplify their impact. Elaine is President-Elect of the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF), Vice President of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, and was the 2022 Texas ASLA Service Award recipient for her commitment to advancing landscape architecture in Texas and beyond. She received her MLA from Harvard Graduate School of Design.