Elections 2023

Sama Azadi, MLA, ASLA

Sama is an associate at Laguardia Design Group and has a passion for utilizing design as a multifaceted approach to shaping social narratives. She holds a Masters in Landscape Architecture from Cornell University and a Bachelors in Urban Design From University of Tehran.

During her studies at Cornell, Sama spearheaded multiple education and outreach initiatives focused on introducing K-12 students to different aspects of Landscape Architecture. She finds great value in mentoring the younger generation to share their voices and values through design and to take an active role in creating a sustainable environment.

She has been working with ASLA-NY education committee as a volunteer and is looking forward to taking on a bigger role and helping to guide the next generation of designers. 

Taewook Cha, ASLA, RLA

Taewook Cha is a registered landscape architect and founding principal of Supermass Studio, a landscape architecture practice based in New York City since 2011. As one of the few leading BIPOC landscape architects in ASLA-NY, Taewook has devoted his career to the innovation and advancement of public spaces that build equity and social capital in complex urban environments.

His recently completed projects at Supermass Studio include Mulberry Commons Park in Newark, NJ, ETEC Innovation Center at University at Albany, NY and LaGuardia Airport’s New Terminal B Concourse Park in New York, NY. 

Taewook received his MLA from Harvard University and a BA in Horticulture from Korea University.  He is serving as an executive board member at ASLA-NY and a co-chair for its DEI Committee since 2021. Taewook has been instrumental in its several key initiatives including DEI Strategic Plan, BIPOC Professional Grants, and Student Outreach programs through his tenure.       

Susan Jainchill RLA, AICP

Susan is the founding principal of Aspect 120 Landscape Architecture P.C., which she started after 10 years leading Landscape Planning and Design Services at AKRF Inc. Ms. Jainchill is a lifelong New Yorker and has been designing spaces in the New York metropolitan area for the past 30 years. She grew up in the suburbs on Long Island, earned her BSLA from Cornell, lived as a young professional on the Upper West Side and eventually earned an MUP Columbia.

Ms. Jainchill has developed a unique perspective on Landscape Architects’ relationship with allied professionals and their essential role in complex interdisciplinary projects.  Her design practice is focused on ecologically sensitive design and cultural landscape stewardship.  She is an adjunct professor at Fordham University, sits on the Ardsley Planning Board, and is the past President of the Westchester County Historical Society. Ms. Jainchill currently lives in Westchester with her husband and two sons and owns and operates an AirBNB in Athens NY

Gentry Lock, ASLA, RLA

Gentry Lock is a Principal at Stantec, and her leadership has been instrumental in building the landscape architecture practice in the NYC office.  With over 16 years of experience, Gentry is experienced in managing public space projects characterized by complex efforts, which integrate design and engineering.  Much of her work has been for public clients, including the NYC EDC and the NYC Parks Department, with projects like East Midtown Greenway.   Gentry’s high standards are evident in her emphasis on teamwork to build an interdisciplinary practice in the quality of her mentoring, and in the design, documentation and construction of her public landscape architecture projects, which have changed New York City neighborhoods.   Gentry serves on the board of directors for the Bryant Park Management Corporation and is an active member of the AIA NY Transportation & Infrastructure committee.  She also previous served on the board of the NY Chapter of the ASLA.

Amy Motzny, MLA, ASLA

Amy Motzny is a Section Lead in Climate & Equity with the Integrated Water Management group at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) where she supports sustainability and resiliency initiatives. She is currently project manager for the Tibbetts Brook Daylighting Project in the Bronx and supports Cloudburst Resiliency planning throughout NYC. She holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan and has more than 15 years of professional experience working in water resource management across public, private, and non-profit sectors. In her previous role as Watershed Senior Planner with the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, she led efforts around the development of a community-based master plan to facilitate improved water quality and a more resilient, vibrant, open space network centered on the Gowanus Canal and throughout the broader Watershed. She has conducted extensive research on urban green infrastructure planning and design strategies that provide ecosystem services and socio-cultural benefits to communities. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the Pratt Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment where she teaches coursework in sustainable planning and green infrastructure design.

Jennifer Nitzky, RLA, FASLA, ISA

Jennifer is Design Principal at Studio HIP and a highly engaged chapter leader serving as Communications co-chair, a two-term chapter president, and a two-term trustee. Since 2014 she has ensured chapter members get recognized by preparing ASLA Fellow nominations and creating the Member Spotlight. Currently, she is working with the chapter secretary to develop a multi-faceted chapter strategic plan.

Her proven commitment is unbounded, elevating awareness of landscape architecture outside our professional circles. She serves on the Fine Arts Federation of New York and is an Urban Design Forum Fellow participating in the Streets Ahead initiative, envisioning a more vibrant, equitable streetscape. In collaboration with the NYC Public Design Commission, she led the Streetscapes for Wellness publication. 

Jennifer’s goals for this term are continuing diverse member recognition, developing an advisory council to mentor newer board members, fostering continued support for the landscape architecture community, updating bylaws, and establishing chapter archives.

Nancy Prince, PLA, FASLA

Nancy Prince PLA, FASLA, is the chief of landscape architecture at the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks). In this role she establishes the design aesthetic and vision for the design department's large and highly varied portfolio of projects. She guides the work of 100 landscape architects and a number of consulting firms. Ms. Prince has spoken about design in the public realm at national conferences held by the American Society of Landscape Architects, the American Institute of Architects, and the American Planning association. She holds a master’s in urban design from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and a master’s in landscape architecture from the University of Massachusetts. She earned her BA in Urban Studies from Concordia University in her native city of Montreal. She has served on the ASLANY Board since 2019 and is the Co-chair of the Membership Committee.