MKSK Announces 2026 Promotions
We are excited to announce the promotions of 28 outstanding planners, designers, and resource professionals. Join us in celebrating the professional growth of these individuals by reading what they look forward to in their new roles.
Katie Clark, FASLA, PLA, Associate Principal: I am truly honored to advance my career at MKSK as an Associate Principal. I have a seasoned career with over 20 years of practice, but the last year at MKSK has provided me with immeasurable opportunities for growth, development, and personal advancement. What is even more important is that not only do I feel supported and acknowledged, but that I am being given the opportunity to fully support my team members and colleagues in my new role. I’m deeply grateful to our current clients and partners, and I look forward to building new relationships moving forward.
Kelly Murphy, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP, Associate Principal: Collaborating with such creative, driven, and supportive people on impactful projects has been a true privilege. I'm honored to step into my new role as an Associate Principal at MKSK and look forward to this new chapter with continued growth alongside our visionary team, clients, and communities.
Michael Mears, ASLA, PLA, AICP, LEED AP, Associate Principal: I’m incredibly grateful to begin this next chapter as an Associate Principal at MKSK and to continue my journey in urban design and community-driven planning alongside thoughtful and talented colleagues. It’s a privilege to do this work together — shaping places and strengthening the cities we call home.
Ryan Schultz, Associate Principal: I’m proud to step into the role of Associate Principal at MKSK. Over the past 20+ years, I’ve built my career through diverse experiences that have shaped my approach to design and leadership. Early in my career in Southern California, I worked on high-profile entertainment and destination projects that deepened my appreciation for immersive, thoughtfully crafted places. At MKSK, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to an array of meaningful and complex projects across the Midwest and beyond, while honing my leadership craft alongside the talented colleagues I’m fortunate to serve as a team leader. I’m grateful for the trust of our clients and the strength of our teams, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.
John Woods, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP BD+C, Associate Principal: I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my career at MKSK, providing leadership to help shape our practice, our projects, and the communities in which we work.
Sandeep Walia, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP, Associate Principal: As an Associate Principal at MKSK, I’m excited to help grow our practice across the DMV region. After two decades of practicing in California, the move across the country has been both a leap of faith and an energizing new chapter. What made the transition seamless was joining a firm with an exceptional body of work, a culture grounded in mentorship and collaboration, and the opportunities for innovation and impact that come with an established, trusted practice. I look forward to creating authentic, people-centered work alongside such talented colleagues and partners.
Marco Stack-Simone, Senior Associate: I’m excited to continue helping teams identify site potential and translate ideas into clear, buildable solutions. I look forward to strengthening collaboration, elevating our technical deliverables, and supporting the success of both our projects and our people.
Roberta Chu, ASLA, Senior Associate: I look forward to continuing to support and advance MKSK’s high-quality technical standards in my new role as Senior Associate. I am excited to work alongside my colleagues to elevate our craft, strengthen project delivery, and help shape meaningful places for our clients and communities.
Nathan Young, ASLA, PLA, NZILA, Senior Associate: Shaping place through creative design is an exciting challenge. I’m excited to continue exploring places, seeing opportunities and constraints, and providing unique solutions with MKSK.
Mica Lockwood, Senior Associate: I am honored to step into the role of Senior Associate and excited to grow my career by enhancing software usage and expanding my impact in accounting, while continuing to share and strengthen our understanding of employee ownership. I look forward to streamlining workflows, maintaining cost-conscious practices, supporting the accounting team’s growth, and further developing my expertise to drive the firm’s mission and continued success.
Sarah Lilly, AICP, Senior Associate: As I enter my ninth year at MKSK, I’m grateful to begin this next chapter as a Senior Associate. I’m looking forward to deepening my planning and design leadership to deliver thoughtful, community-centered projects that foster more vibrant, equitable places across the Midwest and beyond.
Blythe Price, ASLA, PLA, Associate: As Associate at MKSK, I am honored to step into an expanded leadership role in design and project management, working closely with colleagues to create vibrant design solutions for communities across the region. It is a privilege to collaborate with such a passionate group of practitioners, and I look forward to continuing to grow my work in creating culturally rich, biodiverse landscapes.
Amy Kaye Taylor, ASLA, PLA, Associate: As Associate, I look forward to providing leadership and collaboration with my colleagues in project design and design communication at MKSK. I am thrilled to guide our collective design toward innovative placemaking, creating thoughtful and meaningful impacts on the communities we work with.
Beckie Schafer, Associate: This acknowledgment of my current and future commitment to my responsibilities at MKSK is a celebration I embrace. My goal is to elevate not only the effectiveness of those I support, but also the systems and culture that allow our firm to thrive.
Jessica Hufnagle, Urban Planner III: I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into the Planner III role and continue growing as a planning professional. I value the collaboration with such a thoughtful team and look forward to continuing to support communities across the region through meaningful planning work.
Emily Silvius, AICP, Urban Planner III: I am excited to take this step in my career and deepen my understanding in the ways that planning and urban design can support our community partners. I am deeply grateful to our clients for their trust in our work, and I look forward to strengthening those relationships through future collaborations!
Kevin Miller, Urban Planner III: I am honored to step into this new chapter of my career at MKSK and excited to take on the challenges and opportunities this new role brings. I look forward to continued learning, collaboration, and contributing alongside my colleagues to create meaningful, design-driven projects.
Saben Nusbaum, Landscape Architect III: It is exciting to have been promoted to Landscape Architect III at MKSK. I am grateful for the trust and support, and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow through detailed design work, project collaboration, and bringing up those around me
Jared Brocklehurst, LEED Green Associate, Landscape Architect III: I am excited to continue to evolve as a design professional at MKSK with incredibly talented mentors in the communities that we live and work.
Erin Schregardus, Landscape Architect III: I’m thrilled for the opportunity to continue growing as a landscape designer at MKSK alongside an incredibly passionate and thoughtful bunch of colleagues across projects and disciplines. I look forward to deepening my understanding of sustainable design across project lifecycles and shaping resilient places rooted in reciprocity between people and the world we inhabit.
Bridget Maloney, Landscape Architect III: I am thrilled to continue to advance my career as a designer at MKSK. Working alongside a team of talented professionals on impactful urban design projects makes me excited for the future.
Jelena Hutchinson, Resource Professional II: I am looking forward to continuing my career with MKSK through office management, supporting our design teams, and helping drive process improvements wherever I can. It's rewarding to contribute to MKSK’s success as the firm continues to grow and evolve.
Wanting Zhang, Landscape Architect II: I’m honored to step into my new role at MKSK and excited for what’s ahead. I look forward to continuing to contribute to projects that shape healthier, more resilient environments and communities.
Haylee McManus, Landscape Architect II: My time at MKSK has been such a meaningful and inspiring experience that has helped me grow as an eager designer. I am beyond grateful to be a part of such an amazing group of individuals and excited for the next chapter of collaboration, design, and learning.
Bohan Qian, Landscape Architect II: Stepping into the role of Landscape Architect II, I’m grateful for this new chapter and excited to develop inclusive landscapes and strengthen connections between people and nature through collaboration and detail-driven design.
Javier Ortiz, Landscape Architect II: I’m excited for this next step at MKSK and the opportunity to continue growing as a designer. Working with such a talented team makes what’s ahead even more compelling.
Janco Swart, Urban Planner II: As a Planner II, I'm excited to continue growing my career alongside an incredible group of practice experts and professionals. I feel grateful to be a part of a growing firm, not just in terms of people, but through the relationships we continue build with communities, the places and spaces we design, and the stories we tell along the way.