Council

Steve Barnhart
President

Steve Barnhart is a Senior Director at Niagara Parks responsible for parks operations, horticulture programming and environmental planning. Prior to Niagara Parks Steve was responsible for managing forestry and horticulture operations and design development and implementation of open space capital projects for the City of Hamilton. Steve has worked on a wide range of projects including master plans, waterfront development, transportation, storm water management systems and visual impact assessments. Steve has been a full member of the OALA since 2000 and graduated with a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph. Steve has previously served for 6 years as a volunteer on the OALA Continuing Education Committee. Steve is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Guelph Environmental Design and Rural Development. In 2016 Steve received the OALA Public Practice award.

Stefan Fediuk
Vice President

Stefan has been involved in landscape architecture since 1985 in variety of professional positions including, residential, commercial and urban design, and municipal public sector in both Winnipeg, Manitoba and Windsor, Ontario. A graduate for the Masters of Landscape Architecture Program at the University of Manitoba has been in actively involved with the CSLA as Chair of the Awards of Excellence program from 1999 to 2001. He is currently employed with the City of Windsor as a Landscape Architect in the Planning Department, as well as an Acting position at the Parks Department where he is involved with the Parks Master Plan, Urban Landscape Design as well as, promoting the natural and cultural heritage landscapes of the area. In addition, Stefan is well published in the horticultural industry and is an active member of the CEC and sits on the Board of Directors of Northscaping Inc. You can often find him with a camera locked to his eye shooting photographs in Botanic Gardens around the world.

Jane Welsh
Past President

Jane Welsh is the Project Manager for Environmental Planning in the Strategic Initiatives, Policy and Analysis unit of Toronto City Planning. Jane’s 25 years of municipal planning experience include development and implementation of new leading edge initiatives such as the Toronto Green Standard, Green Roof Bylaw, Ravine Protection Bylaw and the Residential Apartment Commercial Zone. She is also responsible for policy tools forNatural Heritage protection, biodiversity, climate change, energy and sustainable development and preparation of environmental policies for the Toronto Official Plan. She is currently co-leading development of the City’s Ravine Strategy. Jane has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph and a Masters of Science in Planning from the University of Toronto. She has served as a volunteer with the OALA for over 20 years on the Honours, Awards and Protocol Committee and was elected to Council in 2014.

Cameron Smith
Treasurer

Cameron Smith is a senior landscape architect working in the federal government with Public Services and Procurement Canada, Real Property Branch’s Architecture Group. He wears the hats of a Design Manager for federal major recapitalization works and as a senior site specialist in urban design and master planning for federal assets. Cameron is an active participant in the OALA Professional Practice and Ethics Review Committee and local OALA Ottawa Chapter. A graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Master of Landscape Architecture program he believes strongly in the profession of landscape architecture’s principles of good stewardship to ensuring safe, healthy, accessible, livable and sustainable communities. But equally he sees landscape architects as critical advocates in the next decades to lead and actively participate to help effect the necessary changes to improve urban landscapes as Canadians and the world face the challenges of climate change, high-density living and significant socio-economic change. Cameron is looking forward to having this opportunity of working with his fellow councilors to both advance and support the profession of landscape architecture in Ontario, and, to assisting the organization and its members in their endeavour to better serve and protect the public interest.

Justin Whalen
Secretary

Justin is a Landscape Architect and Project Manager at GSP Group, in Kitchener. He is involved in a wide range of projects from streetscape, park and trail master plans to residential developments, institutional and cemetery designs. Justin has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph and upon graduating in 2014, entered straight into the profession. Since then, he has gained a deeper understanding of the positive impacts that the landscape architectural profession can have on communities, both large and small. Justin has a strong interest in the design of trails and public spaces, with the intent of creating meaningful spaces to connect people to the places where they live, work and play. Justin has been serving on the OALA Council since 2016, when he was first elected as an Associate Representative, and then to a Councillor position in 2018. Now in his third term, he is honoured to serve as the OALA’s Secretary on Council and to continue representing both existing and new members of the OALA membership. In addition, Justin also sits as the Chair of the OALA Social Committee and is a member of the OALA Municipal Outreach Committee.

Matthew Campbell
Councillor

Matt is a Senior Contractor Administrator at CF Crozier & Associates in Collingwood. He has worked on projects of all sizes, which include, large four-season resorts, transit projects, public parks, trails, private sector development and small residential designs. Matt obtained his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph in 2014. He has a strong background in plant material and construction. Having the ability to translate ideas into practical and workable designs, Matt enjoys bringing projects full circle from concept design to the final built form. He is looking forward to the opportunity to represent the OALA membership and to work with Council to advance the profession of landscape architecture in Ontario.

Shawn Watters
Councillor

Shawn Watters is the Design Lead and Senior Landscape Architect at R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited’s land development and landscape architecture business. He has a multi-faceted role focusing on growing and building in multiple municipalities in Southern Ontario while supporting other broad initiatives of the firm. For 25 years, Shawn has worked on numerous private and public sector projects, which have included golf, resort, park, and trail development. He has a strong foundation and understanding of landscape design and construction practices, which have included work on commercial buildings, high rises, public spaces, streetscape, parks, parking lots and residential development projects. Shawn has also served on numerous boards and was an elected official on various Councils including the Village of Elora, Centre Wellington and the County of Wellington over a 20-year period.

Aaron Hirota
Councillor

Aaron is a Senior Landscape Architect for Architecture49 as well as for CENTRUS, the Centre Block Rehabilitation Project in Ottawa. He enjoys working on all facets of the profession especially project management, urban design, parks and open space development. His current interests include heritage and cultural landscapes, accessible and equitable design, and sustainability. Aaron is working on projects in Ottawa and across Eastern Ontario. He is a full member of the OALA as well as an out of province member of the MALA and SALA. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree in 1998 and a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture in 2005.

Jenny Trinh
Senior Associate Councillor

After completing her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree in 2018, Jenny returned to her hometown of Ottawa and joined Civitas Group as a Landscape Architectural Intern. There, she is involved in a wide range of projects that allow her to explore her interests in the profession. Having previously served as the University of Guelph student representative on Council from 2017-2018, Jenny is eager to move into the role of advocating for and supporting her fellow Associate members. She is also actively involved in the OALA Social Committee and Ottawa Chapter, brainstorming and organizing events for the membership. A strong advocate for the profession and volunteering, Jenny is honoured to join the OALA Council.

Layal Bitar
Junior Associate Councillor

Layal Bitar completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Design and Ecosystem Management at the American University of Beirut, where she was involved in several activities that engaged the student body in the promotion of the developing profession of Landscape Architecture in Lebanon. While pursuing her Master of Landscape Architecture degree at the University of Texas at Arlington, she held a Teaching Assistantship position in graduate courses related to GIS, Environmental Planning, and Landscape Graphics. She was involved with Texas ASLA for three years and organized the volunteer program for the state-level ASLA conference. Prior to joining STUDIO tla in Toronto, Layal worked for several years at multi-disciplinary firms located in Beirut (Lebanon), Dallas (Texas, USA), and Shanghai (China).

Elise Shelley
Appointed Educator, Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto

Elise Shelley is an Associate Professor at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto and the Director of Landscape at gh3*. She a registered landscape architect with 20 years of experience in projects of all scales. Shelley’s background and training in both architecture and landscape has enabled a method of practice that emphasizes the physical, experiential and functional connections between interior and exterior space. Her teaching portfolio includes Site Engineering, Studio, Planting Design, Professional Practice and Thesis advising.

Focused on the interdisciplinary nature of urban places, Shelley’s work addresses material innovation, community. engagement and ecological resilience. Award-winning urban playspace projects include gardens and playgrounds for city daycares, public schools and non-profit organizations. In addition to having her Landscape Architecture licensure in the United States and Canada (Ontario and Alberta), Shelley is certified in Playground Safety Inspection by the U.S. National Recreation and Park Association.

Shelley has lectured throughout North America and Europe and her work on resilient landscapes and contemporary children’s playspaces has been presented at several international conferences.

Nadia Amoroso
Appointed Educator, School of Environmental Design + Rural Development (SEDRD) Landscape Architecture, University of Guelph

Nadia Amoroso, PhD, OALA, CSLA, is an associate professor at the University of Guelph Department of Landscape, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development. She specializes in landscape visual communication and data visualization. She is the author of several books including “The Exposed City: Mapping the Urban Invisibles” (Routledge), “Digital Landscape Architecture Now” (Thames & Hudson), and “Representing Landscapes: Digital” (Taylor & Francis), part of the Representing Landscapes book series. She also operates a boutique studio focusing on professional illustration services.

Karen Liu
Lay Councillor

Dr. Karen Liu is the Green Roof Specialist with Next Level Stormwater Management. Karen is an engineer by training and passionate in using nature-based solutions to address climate change. Upon receiving her PhD from the University of Toronto, Karen joined the National Research Council in Ottawa, where she established the first North American field facility for green roof research. She led the green roof research team at the British Columbia Institute of Technology in Vancouver and was involved in the development of CSA A123.24 national wind testing standard for vegetated roofing. In the past 15 years, Karen has worked on many green roof projects across North America, Europe and Asia, often alongside talented landscape architects. She appreciates the important role of landscape architecture plays in creating a beautiful and sustainable future. Karen is honoured to serve the OALA as the lay councillor.

Allison Neuhauser
Student Representative, University of Guelph

Allison (Alli) Neuhauser is a third-year master’s student in the Landscape Architecture program at the University of Guelph. She completed her undergraduate degree in Environmental Management at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, so she has been to all corners of the province. She works as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) at Guelph and assists with many of the undergraduate courses. Alli is also a part of the 1 Bench 1 Tree grassroots organization, which was organized by her and other students in her cohort in February 2021 to install one bench and one tree at hospitals across Canada. She owns her own small business, named Bombus Haus, where she specializes in Drone photography/videography in the landscape as a certified RPAS Advanced Operator. Alli is excited and honoured to be a part of the OALA council as the Student Representative for the University of Guelph.

Emiley Switzer-Martell
Student Representative, University of Toronto