As the founder, principal, and guiding influence of Viridian Landscape Studio, Tavis leads a team that works every day to make sure they leave more than they take – and have fun while they're doing it. Her belief in the essential and healing power of landscapes drives all of the firm's design projects and ecological master plans. A natural storyteller and gifted communicator, Tavis knows how to build consensus between diverse stakeholders and counsels clients on balancing long-term ecological resilience with memorable placemaking. Her work and ideas have helped reshape cities, transform college campuses, and improve lives for communities all over the country. 

 

Tavis is active in her professional community as a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and a fellow of the Design Trust for Public Space. She sits on the steering committee of the Design Advocacy Group and the advisory council of the Community Design Collaborative, which provides pro-bono design services to nonprofits. Tavis is committed to mentoring the leaders of tomorrow and, in addition to her guidance as leader of Viridian, has shared her insight and expertise as a guest lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon, and other institutions. As a co-author of 21st Century Parks for New York City, she initiated a paradigm shift in the operation and maintenance of NYC's 29,000 acres of parkland. When Tavis isn't restoring and repairing the environment, chances are she's enjoying it on a bike ride with her family, a long, meandering walk outside, or by unwinding and unplugging in an off-the-grid cabin at an undisclosed location in New England. 

 

Tavis holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Pennsylvania State University. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program.