Profile: Mia Lehrer, FASLA

Company/academic title: Mia Lehrer + Associates

Education: Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Master of Landscape Architecture, 1979 Tufts University, Bachelor of Arts, 1975

Years in the profession: 31

ASLA chapter: Southern California

Category: Administrative Work

Most notable professional accomplishments: Since my early years I have tried to expand and influence the visibility of the landscape architecture profession to issues of environmental justice and the restoration of large-scale urban areas. Through my work on urban parks, recreation studies, cultural institutions, and urban revitalization projects I have collaborated with large multi-disciplinary teams on milestone projects to form a synergistic project vision, developed sustainable design strategies and programming goals, facilitated neighborhood workshops, and fostered lasting community bonds. At the interface between public agencies, and the community, my work has been instrumental in achieving public consensus and changing the historic perception of public agencies formerly seen as the adversary of the people. As a Latina who is able to communicate with many facets of the Los Angeles community in their native language I have been able to personally participate as a community builder. I would like to think these efforts have made a contribution to shift public attention towards the public realm empowering communities and government agencies to address and take control of the urban environment.

Thoughts on being elected to Council of Fellows: One gets caught up in the whirlwind of professional activities and there is great satisfaction in being recognized by the ASLA. Many ASLA members have inspired me and motivated me. Their accomplishments as great teachers, artists, designers and policy makers have kept me grounded. I consider it a privilege to be a part of this community of fellows. Landscape architecture is an immensely relevant profession as global warming issues become part of the mainstream conversation the work gains recognition.