Uncharted Paths: Women of Color Are Redefining Landscape Architecture Through Micro Practices - 1.25 PDH (LA CES/non-HSW)

Recorded On: 10/12/2025

This session brings together three women of color who have forged unconventional career paths through micro practices, redefining success in landscape architecture. Panelists will share how entrepreneurship, values-driven work, and nontraditional business models have enabled them to thrive, offering insights and strategies for building sustainable, impactful careers beyond traditional firms.

Learning objectives:

Identify barriers to career progression for women of color.
Highlight emerging professional values and how they redefine professional culture norms in landscape architecture.
Define how micro practices benefit and grow the profession.
Provide strategies to promote success in nontraditional career paths.

Maci Nelson, ASLA

Project Manager

LAND studio

Maci Nelson is a neurodivergent landscape podcaster, writer, and designer in Cleveland, Ohio.

While in graduate school for landscape architecture, she created the Landscape Nerd podcast to advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration, neuro-inclusive design, and improving mental health in the profession.

Additionally, she is a project manager for LAND Studio, placekeepers who connect people through public art, development, and dynamic engagement.

Magdalena Aravena, ASLA, PLA

Founder + Principal

Studio Siembra

Magdalena Aravena is a passionate Landscape Architect, and an engaged volunteer and leader in the ASLA. Driven by her background, she passionately works to enrich disadvantaged communities through education, advocacy, and collaborative design. She founded Studio Siembra in 2021, embracing a multi-disciplinary approach to impact communities with thoughtful engagement and design, in pursuit of a more just and inclusive practice of Landscape Architecture. She is focused and motivated to passionately execute community engagement strategies and design approaches to effectively and successfully serve communities of various backgrounds throughout the country.

Stephanie Onwenu, ASLA

Founder | Visual Artist

Ijeomalandartscapes LLC

Stephanie Onwenu is a visual artist, educator and landscape designer born and raised in the city of Detroit, MI. She is the creator and founder of Ijeomalandartscapes LLC, a landscape art experience that explores the intersections between art, design, history and culture. Her work continually explores the intersections of human needs and the roles they play in the natural environment, while also connecting spaces and places to the people who define it. Most recently, she was recognized at the national level for her design and advocacy work in the field as the 2024 ASLA Emerging Professional Medal award recipient.