DTJ’s Women Designing With A Purpose

In honor of Women’s History Month, DTJ recognizes the incredible women who have shaped remarkable places through their innovation and problem-solving skills. Architect and founder Dorte Mandrup, of the architectural practice Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter, once expressed her desire to be recognized simply as an “architect,” rather than being labeled a “female architect.” She emphasizes the importance of normalizing the presence of women in the field. We celebrate the significant contributions of these seven DTJers to both the firm and industry through their roles as leaders, designers, project managers, Associates, and more, and we invite you to learn more about their stories!

In the evolving world of landscape architecture, voices like Rose Tashjian’s shape the future with her bold, playful, and layered designs. Her passion for collaboration, inclusivity, and thoughtful design drives her work, inspiring those around her and the next generation of landscape architects. With 7+ years of experience, Rose creates themed attraction and resort spaces that blend form and function to foster creativity while building meaningful memories. She has made significant contributions to many of DTJ’s projects, most notably, the Fantasy Valley Theme Park in Xiangyang, China, where she witnessed the transformation of concepts into built forms.

Among the many architectural spaces that have left an impression on Rose, Lurie Garden in Chicago holds a special place in her heart, sparking her interest in the profession. The seamless transition from hardscape to softscape invites visitors to decompress, reflect, and reconnect with nature, a principle she carries into her design work.

For Rose, one of the most valuable lessons in this industry is the importance of collaboration. She encourages young women entering the field to remain open to learning, ask questions, and seek mentorship. “Active listening and teamwork are essential in this profession,” she expresses, emphasizing that great design is rarely the work of just one person, but rather the result of many minds coming together.

Abby Schlotfeldt has 5+ years of experience as a landscape architecture designer and is dedicated to delivering impactful projects. She is motivated by her desire to beautify the world with every project she undertakes. Since architecture has traditionally been a male-dominated field, Abby has often found herself to be one of the few, if not the only, women in the room, a situation she has found challenging. However, since joining DTJ, she has been surrounded by empowering women and hopes to inspire young women to pursue careers in this profession.

With a background in environmental science, Abby discovered landscape architecture to combine her passions for science and design. The Denver Native has showcased her versatile skills by contributing to DTJ’s significant Summerlin Master Plan Community project, further expanding her design abilities.

Abby aims to be a role model for other women in the field and be part of an incredible support network for them. She believes that women can draw strength from one another, opening doors to unique opportunities and serving as a powerful reminder that women can achieve anything they set their minds to.

Michelle Regan brings over 13 years of experience in shaping impactful built environments that enhance people’s lives. Throughout her career as a leader in the industry, she has been dedicated to designing beautiful and meaningful spaces for living. Every day, she strives to be an inspiring example for young women, encouraging them to see themselves as architects rather than “women in architecture.” She advocates for women seeking mentorship, standing up for themselves, continuing their education, and maintaining belief in their abilities.

Michelle envisions a future where the role of women in architecture evolves to provide more opportunities for leadership, visibility, and influence. She believes that women in leadership roles can foster a stronger network and mentorship relationships.

Beginning her career in Florida and eventually relocating to Colorado, Michelle has faced numerous challenges as a woman in architecture. Early on, overcoming external perceptions was difficult, but she shifted her focus towards self-confidence, empowering herself to rise above others’ assumptions. By breaking free from limiting beliefs and directly addressing workplace sexism, Michelle has embraced her role as a professional and advocate for mutual respect.

Karinna Lucena has over 13 years of experience in architecture. Her early fascination with building design inspired her to pursue this career from a young age. As a Puerto Rico native, she has taken on roles that allowed her to design commercial, mixed-use, and public projects in the Metro Puerto Rico area. Karinna developed a keen interest in creative floor plans and unique spaces during her childhood, and is particularly drawn to simple, clean, and distinctive design styles. One of her favorite architectural structures, Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House, has significantly influenced her approach to design, emphasizing a modern aesthetic with minimalistic yet unique features.

Since joining DTJ, Karinna has gained valuable experience in project coordination, BIM modeling, and various other aspects of architecture, which has boosted her confidence and instilled pride in her work. She aims to set a standard for the women around her, encouraging them to recognize their worth and persevere, in hopes of seeing more women, especially minorities, in leadership positions.

Julie Hendricksen brings a wealth of experience, valuable certifications, and strong client relationships built over her 26-year journey in landscape architecture. Her thoughtful approach to design adds depth, authenticity, and connection to every space she creates. For Julie, design is more than just aesthetics—it’s about storytelling, honoring the land, and crafting experiences that invite people in. As a distinct leader at DTJ and our sole Green Roof Professional, her design philosophy can be summed up in three words: native, layered, and welcoming.

Inspired by her mother, who once aspired to be a landscape architect, Julie began her journey by enrolling in introductory classes and writing her own story. Entering a field where female role models were scarce, she found the right opportunity at a firm with women in leadership positions. As she reached a point in her career where motherhood became a priority, she sought a company that supported aspiring mothers while empowering women in and out of the workplace. This motivated Julie to help develop company policies that accommodate the diverse paths women choose, all while modeling a healthy work-life balance.

Julie’s advice for young women entering the field is to get involved in industry groups that support women, as these connections can be invaluable. Volunteering with these organizations provides opportunities for networking, mentorship, and community building while fostering professional growth. As the industry evolves, greater representation of women in leadership roles leads to more inclusive and collaborative environments where diverse perspectives are increasingly valued. Driven by a desire to create lasting change, Julie is committed to supporting and uplifting other women. Whether through mentorship, advocating for supportive policies, or leading by example, she strives to create an environment where women can thrive at every stage of their careers. By fostering a culture of empowerment and inclusion, she hopes to inspire future generations to pursue and succeed in landscape architecture.

For Ciara DeBusk, architecture is a passion that began with Lego and Lincoln Logs and has blossomed into a lifelong journey of creativity and problem-solving. With dyslexia, she found hands-on work and design intuitive and fulfilling. Once she discovered architecture, Ciara was captivated by the thrill of designing and tackling challenges, often losing track of time. She takes pride in her work in themed entertainment, which offers unique opportunities for storytelling and creative problem-solving. As a woman in architecture, she is pleased to see more women entering the field and encourages them to persevere and embrace new opportunities.

What motivates Ciara most are the projects yet to be explored—the ever-evolving nature of architecture fuels her excitement to learn and grow. Ciara’s design style is fun, playful, and deeply connected to context. She believes in designing spaces that engage people on multiple levels visually, functionally, and experientially.

Ciara continues to push boundaries and inspire the next generation of architects, embodying the belief that passion and perseverance can turn childhood creativity into a meaningful career.

For Rachel Magee, architecture is more than just designing buildings—it is about creating beautiful experiences that bring people together. Each project offers an opportunity to explore how to make everyday lives more meaningful, engaging, and connected. Rachel views architecture as a tool for investigation, fundamentally asking, “How can we make our ordinary lives more beautiful?” For her, beauty extends beyond aesthetics, it encompasses relationships, community, and shared experiences. A well-designed space fosters connection, encourages interaction, and enhances how we live, work, and play.

Architecture presents a unique challenge that encourages innovation and creativity in design solutions. For Rachel, finding her voice and growing in her career without the support of other women has been a journey. She has developed a rapport at DTJ and hopes to become a pillar of support that inspires more women to enter the field of architecture and grow into leadership roles. After dedicating three years to her craft, Rachel aspires to be the mentor she wants others to connect with as they enter the field. She emphasizes, “Getting other women’s perspectives is invaluable,” noting that this has helped her gain more confidence and envision a broader future in the architectural industry.

With a wealth of projects under her belt, Rachel is particularly proud of her involvement in Firefly, an active, lifestyle-enriching community in Eagle Mountain, Utah, which she worked on from its early phases to completion. Witnessing her vision come to life made this project a memorable part of her DTJ experience, resulting in a defining moment in her burgeoning career.