The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has announced that Christopher J. Della Vedova, PLA, FASLA, LEED AP, and Jennifer L. Nitzky, PLA, FASLA, ISA, AIA, are the 2026 candidates for the position of President-Elect. Combined, these candidates represent over 50 years of contributing to the profession in a licensed capacity.

 
This is Jennifer Nitzky's second run for President-Elect, as she was a candidate for the position in the 2025 election against Gretchen Wilson, PLA, FASLA, LEED AP, WEDG, who currently holds the position and will become President in the fall. Based in New York City, Nitzky focuses her practice as Design Principal of Studio HIP on "community-driven work rooted in participatory design." She has participated in the ASLA since attending graduate school at Ball State University and has served in many capacities on the New York Chapter board, including the role of President - twice. Her biography states that she "leads with optimism, collaboration, and an unwavering belief in landscape architecture's power to shape resilient, inclusive communities." Should she be elected this year, Nitzky's goals include pushing the ASLA to become a more active voice in mainstream media, providing business resources and tools for members, and creating more opportunities for K-12 students to encounter landscape architecture and enabling their teachers to do so.

Chris Della Vedova has spent the last 30 years as the co-founder of Confluence, increasing the firm's presence in the Upper Midwest. Licensed in three states (Iowa, Nebraska, and North Dakota), Della Vedova has served on the Iowa Chapter board in various roles, including once as President and twice as Trustee, with an emphasis on advocacy for licensure and public policy. Della Vedova's biography describes Landscape Architects as "'multipliers': professionals who expand impact by creating space for others and building stronger, collaborative solutions." As President-Elect, Della Vedova aims to increase the society's activity in licensure legislation on state and federal levels, develop branded messaging for PLAs to attract clients, and also provide business resources for landscape architecture firms of all sizes.

The candidates were introduced on LAND, the society's weekly newsletter, along with the proceedings for this year's elections. Leading up to the May elections, Della Vedova and Nitzky will share their vision over a public forum facilitated by current President Brad McCauley, PLA, FASLA, and articles published in the next three issues of LAND.

LASN reached out to both candidates and received a reply that all comments will come through official ASLA channels.

To read the candidates' biographies, go to: https://www.asla.org/news-insights/land/meet-the-2026-asla-president-elect-candidates