Unlocking the Economic Value of Landscape Architecture: A Cross-Sector Research Agenda - 1.25 PDH (LA CES/non-HSW)

Jennifer is a Program Manager at the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center, where she leads multidisciplinary projects in conservation finance. With a background as a professional geologist and training in environmental economics, she brings a unique combination of scientific insight and policy expertise to her work. Dr. Egan specializes in applying environmental economic tools to inform policy decisions, conduct technical analyses, and guide project design. Her current projects include conducting cost-benefit analyses for community resilience initiatives, estimating public health benefits of nature-based solutions, advancing community-led nature investment and valuation efforts, and supporting small communities in financing water and wastewater infrastructure.

Torey joined ASLA as Chief Executive Officer in August 2020. Torey has more than 25 years of experience and expertise in strategic organizational development, tactical implementation, financial stewardship and administrative leadership. He has a proven track record as an innovator and thought leader in the association world, with an aptitude for pioneering strategies to shape organizational priorities, ensure financial stability, and invigorate member recruitment and retention programs.

Prior to joining ASLA, Torey served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Prior to his leadership at AILA, Torey was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Center for American Progress (CAP), COO and later Acting President and CEO at the LGBTQ Victory Fund and Institute, Divisional Controller of MV Transportation—a privately held North American transportation management corporation—and an auditor at a CPA firm.

As Senior Program Manager for Research, Megan Barnes manages the Landscape Architecture Foundation's Case Study Investigation (CSI) program, Deb Mitchell Research Grant, and Landscape Performance Series initiatives. She also managed the Green New Deal Superstudio initiative (2020-2022). Her expertise is in landscape performance and the relationship between research and professional practice in landscape architecture, topics on which she lectures widely. Megan has a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment.