To DBE or Not to DBE: Leveraging Diversity as a Strategic Advantage - 1.25 PDH (LA CES/non-HSW)

Patricia was born and raised in Mexico, she is the founder and president of BASE. A recognized leader in sustainable design and community involvement, Patricia creates landscapes that immerse people of all backgrounds and abilities in learning, exploration and play. Patricia’s community involvement and advocacy expand the boundaries of traditional landscape architecture. She founded an NGO that creates healthy habitats for pollinators. She has lectured at many universities and has won two national faculty ASLA awards. She received her MLA from UC Berkeley in 2007.

Elsa Mark-Ng is the associate studio manager at Agency and an honors graduate of Oberlin College's Environmental Studies program. At Agency, she leads the studio with marketing and communication, and supports business administration. Elsa enjoys crafting unique proposals and bringing together teams that speak to the communities and clients that Agency aims to work for. She has also served as the communications lead for WxLA, an advocacy initiative for gender justice in landscape architecture.

Hana Ishikawa is a Registered Architect, Partner, and Design Principal at Site Design Group, where she leads the firm’s creative and strategic direction. Over her career, she has guided hundreds of projects across a range of scales and typologies, consistently delivering thoughtful design solutions. Hana brings a balance of innovation and rigor to every phase of her work, from conceptual visioning to construction details. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for AIA Chicago. Born into a family of designers in Tokyo and shaped by a diverse educational and professional background, Hana brings a global perspective to her practice.