Growing up just outside of Winnipeg, Lesley spent much of her time outdoors either cross-country skiing, running, or hiking, immersed in the expansive prairie landscape of farm fields, picturesque sunsets, and granite outcrops of the boreal shield. These experiences informed her desire to pursue a career that would allow her to contribute to protecting wild and natural spaces, which led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design at the University of Manitoba, and then a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture.
After graduating in 2017, Lesley joined BENCH. She loves the challenge of designing in the complex environment of the Okanagan – with its sensitive, drought- and wildfire-prone landscapes. She has a keen eye for detail and excels at balancing diverse design considerations such as topographic complexity, strict policy parameters, and the needs of stakeholders. For Lesley, one of the most rewarding aspects of the profession of landscape architecture is being able to see projects in which she was involved come to life through construction and in use by the community.
