kat katsma

project manager

• Sep 2023 to Present  •  Chicago Park District  •  Chicago, IL

landscape designer

• Nov 2019 to Present  •  Kemora Landscapes  •  Chicago, IL

Study sites to creatively and effectively design a landscape to maximize function and beauty; consult with clients and distributors through means of verbal, written and graphic communication; manage existing and new accounts; budget time and expenses; assess cost to clients; regularly use Photoshop and AutoCAD to create visual representations of the design; efficiently manage a team during the implementation of a design; and write for and maintain the Kemora Landscapes website and social media.

design consultant

• Jan 2019 to Present  •  Yi Xiang Studios  •  Remote

On an occasional basis consult with the principal of Yi Xiang Studios to design temporary landscape installations that involve grand planting displays, nighttime illumination, and structural installations that compliment the landscape, all while embodying a theme or purpose directive. 

landscape designer

• June 2018 to Nov 2019  •  Gary R. Weber Associates  •  Wheaton, IL

Designed parks, buffers, residential homes, annual planters, and naturalized sites based off local ordinances, site needs, and client desires; created quick and stylish conceptual sketches for client review; produced 3D illustrations using AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Photoshop; wrote and illustrated specialized and educational signage; created detailed planting plans; and coordinated with clients throughout the process to actualize a thoughtful design.

writer/editor

• June 2014 to June 2018  •  Landscape Architecture Magazine  •  Washington, DC

Wrote and edited articles for the magazine including the regular Goods and Palette columns; designed magazine layouts for articles; curated landscape architecture related news for the twice-weekly The Landscape Report; managed and wrote the magazine’s blog and social media; researched stories; engaged with writers and professionals for content use in the magazine; and attended conferences for social outreach and future stories.

landscape designer

• Aug 2011 to Aug 2012  •  O'Hara Landscape/Lawn Care, Inc.  •  Saint Louis, MO

Analyzed sites to creatively and effectively design a landscape to maximize function and beauty; communicated with clients and distributors through verbal, written and graphic means; managed existing and new accounts; budgeted time and expenses; assessed cost to clients; proficiently utilized Photoshop and AutoCAD; and efficiently managed a team during the implementation of a design.

horticulture intern

• May 2010 to Aug 2010  •  Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest  •  Claremont, KY

Maintained the main plant displays, propagated plants, assisted the natural horticulture staff, helped build a cedar structure for climbing hydrangeas, and drafted a native garden design for Bernheim to implement.

aquatic plant maintenance seasonal staff

• May 2009 to Aug 2009  •  Chicago Botanic Garden  •  Glencoe, IL

Helped design and implement planting guides for aquatic plant species, acquired knowledge of native aquatic and terrestrial plants, and cleared shorelines of invasive species.

• Winner of the 2017 Bradford Williams Medal for excellence in landscape architecture-related writing.

• Second place in the 2019 Hong Kong Flower Show/Shenzhen Flower Show Conceptual Design Competition.

• Group recipient of the Special Award for creative use of media and communications in the Garden Cities for Tomorrow 2013 Student Competition hosted by the International Federation for Housing and Planning.

• Grant received from the Landscape Architecture department at the University of Illinois to travel to the 48th annual IFLA World Congress, summer 2011.

• Wadsworth Scholarship 2009 recipient for Landscape Architecture oriented community service.

• Member of Sigma Lambda Alpha, the national Landscape Architecture Honor Society.

ArcGIS, AutoCAD, copy editing, Creative Adobe Suite, digital graphics, editorial management, HTML, Microsoft Office Suite, photography, planting design, plant identification, publication design and layout, research and analysis, residential design, short and long-form writing, site planning, sketching, SketchUp, Wordpress, and beginner Spanish.

• Participated in The Shrimp improv comedy workshops when studying at the University of Sheffield.

• Attended writing classes at The Second City Training Center in Chicago, IL.

• Cofounder of The Secret Garden Atlas, a blog focused on unknown and unique landscapes worldwide.

• Attended and participated in the 48th annual IFLA World Congress student charette and conference in Switzerland, summer 2011.

• Member of the Chicago Writers Association and the American Society of Landscape Architects.

• Traveled to Singapore in summer 2019, England, Ireland, France, Scotland, Austria, Italy, Spain and China in summer and autumn 2013, Switzerland in summer 2011, Japan in summer 2008, and Mexico in summer 2007.

master of landscape architecture

• Graduated­ July 2013  •  The University of Sheffield  •  Sheffield, UK

Study focused on Planning and Design.

bachelor of landscape architecture

• Graduated May 2011  •  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign  •  Urbana-Champaign, IL

Minor studies concentrated in East Asian Languages and Cultures.

Studied abroad Fall 2010 at the University of Sheffield, UK.