Denise Buchanan, Ph.D.
La Crescenta,CA
Summary
Committed to minimizing the impact of drought, climate change, food insecurity, growing populations and deforestation in urban landscapes while maximizing the creation of more useful and livable urban environments centered around tree planting, sustainable land management and community economic viability especially in the under-served areas of society. I have been instrumental in providing leadership to community-based organizations, government departments and government stakeholders on various national parks, highway, tourism, urban renewal and master planning projects throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Caribbean. I am a prolific writer and I have honed my skills as an excellent collaborator with interpersonal and multitasking abilities. I have a proven track record of meeting tight deadlines and have developed curricula and taught college-level courses in Sustainable Landscape Design, Water Conservation, Urban Ecology, and Environmental Stewardship. I am recognized as an award-winning Toastmaster International Public Speaker and have been featured in industry publications and on YELP, HGTV’s “Ground Rules,” and was the lead design consultant on the BRAVO TV series “Flipping Out”. As a Human Rights Consultant, I am passionate about ESG, promoting environmental and social justice, community development, and urban design that matters.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
3
3
Certification
Work History
Volunteer Global Coordinator
ECA-Global Justice Project
Los Angeles , CA
04.2019 - 12.2023
- Managed the global coordination of multiple projects, ensuring deadlines were met and resources were allocated effectively.
- Coordinated travel arrangements for international team members, including flights, accommodations, visas.
- Maintained relevant knowledge of industry through continued education and training.
- Resolved personnel problems, complaints and grievances, referring serious issues to higher-level supervisors.
- Assessed job sites to determine work needed.
- Held staff meetings to share project information and address specific issues.
- Ensured adherence to company policies while managing projects internationally.
- Raised funds by organizing multiple events and diligently managed details to meet deadlines.
- Approached customers and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.
- Collaborated with others to discuss new opportunities.
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Planned and completed group projects, working smoothly with others.
Sustainability Consultant
Sacred Garden Designs, Inc.
CA
08.2011 - 12.2023
- Coordinated small and large projects with various community and government stakeholders throughout the USA, Canada and the Caribbean, where we encourage the design and installation of cost effective and environmentally beneficial sustainable land developments.
- Provided a broad range of Landscape Architectural Services including landscape design, tree planting, hardscape installation and maintenance for residential customers and land development, urban renewal design and planning, urban agricultural planning, park master planning and streetscape improvements for city and county clients.
- Prepared grant applications seeking funding for projects related to sustainability efforts.
- Developed educational materials about green living practices, such as water conservation methods.
- Facilitated workshops and meetings with stakeholders to discuss sustainability initiatives.
- Assisted clients in developing effective communication strategies around sustainability initiatives.
- Reviewed project requirements to identify customer expectations and resources needed to meet goals and developed work plan for projects.
- Designed environments which are not only aesthetically pleasing but which are environmentally responsible and healing to the human psyche.
Urban Designer/Planner
Lee/Brennan Associates
Seattle , WA
01.1998 - 01.1999
- Assisted with the design and project management of park, urban and environmental projects such as the Capitol Lakes Redevelopment Project in Louisiana, the Inner Channel Dock and Boardwalk Revitalization in Eureka and the Environmental Restoration of Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA
- Designed trail systems throughout the greater Seattle Region.
Project Consultant
The Place Makers
Vancouver , Canada
01.1996 - 01.1999
- Assisted with visual resource planning for the mid-coast and central regions of British Columbia
- Provided project design and management services for community-based projects in Jamaica and Canada
- Developed curricula and taught Landscape Design classes at Vancouver Community College.
Lecturer
University of Southern California
CA
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Taught diverse student populations in topics covering Sustainable Management of Land and Water Resources, Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability in Marginal Environments, Urban Forests for Climate Modification, Native Plants for Urban Revitalization, Sustainable Rural Development and Cultural and Psychological Factors that influence human social behavior in public spaces.
Landscape Designer
City of Los Angeles Public Works Department - Bureau of Engineering
Los Angeles , CA
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Developed city-wide water-wise beautification projects, provided urban tree and sidewalk improvements, presented proposals at community meetings.
Park Project Specialist
City of Fullerton
Fullerton , CA
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Assisted with the design and project management of park, urban and environmental projects
- Prepared and presented park development plans at Council and Community Meetings
- Co-ordinated projects with various government and community stakeholders.
Landscape Architect III
HNTB Architects Engineers Planners
Bellevue , WA
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Conducted visual assessments of road and land parcels throughout the southwest for the Bureau of Land Management
- Prepared landscape designs, cost estimates and construction documents for Sea-Tac International Airport Runway Expansion Project.
Park Planning Consultant
New Westminster Parks and Recreation Department
B.C. , Canada
01.1997 - 01.1998
- Designed and supervised the construction of various urban parks, trails and park facilities and facilitated cross-disciplinary team collaboration in environmental planning and design projects
- Organized community meetings and workshops.
Education
Ph.D. - Psychoneurology, Human Behavior And Thriving
02-2019
Master of Arts - Psychology of Human Behavior
01.2003
Master of Landscape Architecture - Landscape Architecture and Sustainable Planning and Design
01.1992
Bachelor of Arts in Communication - Mass Communication (Radio, Television and Print Media)
01.1983
Skills
- Conducting Webinars/Workshop Facilitation
- Research and Data Analysis
- Report Writing
- Project Management
- Team Building/Leadership/Mentorship
- Microsoft Office Suite
- AutoCAD/Realtime Landscape Architect
- Grant Writing
- Calm Under Pressure
- Customer Relations
- Public Speaking
- Meeting Planning/Event Coordination
Affiliations
- Member of the Urban Landscape Committee of the US Green Building Council
- Certified Human Rights Consultant – Policy and Sustainable Environments
- Member of the US Chamber of Commerce
- Member of the American Society of Landscape Architects
- Member of The International Association of Women
- Mentor with The Global Mentorship Initiative
Accomplishments
PsychoneurologyBeurinordinatedstreetscape
- Award winning Toastmaster International Public Speaker
- 8 HOUZZ Awards for Professional City-Wide Landscape and Sustainable Design
- Sustainable Business Council Nominee for the Best Public Advocate for Sustainability
- Featured in Landscape Architecture Magazine, on YELP, Home and Garden Television (HGTV’s) “Ground Rules” and was the lead design consultant on the BRAVO TV series “Flipping Out”
- Inspirational guest speaker at conferences and functions for Wells Fargo Bank and Universal Studios and at events in Warsaw, Poland; Berlin, Germany; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Santiago, Chile; Lima, Peru; The Democratic Republic of the Congo; London; Uganda; Vatican City, Italy and the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Published Author of 5 books on Amazon.com
Certification
- Licensed C-27 Contractor #971025
- Certificate of Sustainability (UCLA)
- Certified Minority/Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Volunteer Global Coordinator - ECA-Global Justice Project
04.2019 - 12.2023
Lecturer - University of Southern California
01.2018 - 01.2020
Landscape Designer - City of Los Angeles Public Works Department - Bureau of Engineering
01.2017 - 01.2018
Sustainability Consultant - Sacred Garden Designs, Inc.
08.2011 - 12.2023
Park Project Specialist - City of Fullerton
01.2004 - 01.2005
Landscape Architect III - HNTB Architects Engineers Planners
01.2000 - 01.2002
Urban Designer/Planner - Lee/Brennan Associates
01.1998 - 01.1999
Park Planning Consultant - New Westminster Parks and Recreation Department
01.1997 - 01.1998
Project Consultant - The Place Makers
01.1996 - 01.1999
Beurin University - Ph.D., Psychoneurology, Human Behavior And Thriving
University of Santa Monica - Master of Arts, Psychology of Human Behavior
University of Guelph - Master of Landscape Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Sustainable Planning and Design
University of the West Indies - Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Mass Communication (Radio, Television and Print Media)
- Licensed C-27 Contractor #971025
- Certificate of Sustainability (UCLA)
- Certified Minority/Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE)
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