Kene Okigbo Named One of American Society of Landscape Architects 2022 Honors Recipients

RDG Planning & Design is proud to announce that Kene Okigbo, PLA, ASLA has received the 2022 ASLA Emerging Professional Medal. Conferred annually by ASLA’s Board of Trustees, the ASLA Emerging Professional Medal recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and has made a considerable contribution to the landscape architecture profession early in one’s career.

“Receiving an ASLA Honor is the highest achievement bestowed each year in the landscape architecture profession,” said ASLA President Eugenia Martin, FASLA. “We celebrate this year’s extraordinary and diverse cohort of honorees for their distinguished accomplishments and contributions to landscape architecture. Their leadership and vision serve as an inspiration to make a difference to the profession as well as the welfare of the public and the environment.”

Since joining RDG in 2018, Okigbo has contributed his talent and perspective to projects in various markets including College & University, Parks & Recreation, Sports and Urban Design. He is passionate about creating spaces that positively impact communities, particularly the practice of rejuvenating or reimaging existing spaces. His goal in every project is to communicate a community’s identity through compelling design.

“Kene is well known in the world of ASLA both locally and nationally. As he has grown in his professional career, he has become increasingly involved in ASLA’s diversity efforts, participating in diversity summits and helping guide strategic diversity, equity and inclusion communications and initiatives,” said RDG Senior Partner Cary Thomsen, PLA, ASLA. “Kene is truly a one-of-a-kind individual and I have no doubt he will continue to make positive contributions to ASLA, his community, his workplace, the practice of landscape architecture and the world.”

Okigbo has served on ASLA the Government Affairs Committee, the Climate Action Committee, the LAM Editorial Advisory Committee and as chair of the Great Plains Chapter Emerging Professionals and the Associate Advisory Committees. He has volunteered as a mentor for the ACE Mentor Program of America and, most recently, served as moderator for ASLA’s inaugural Pre-K-12 virtual Dream Big with Design Summit.

About ASLA and ASLA Honors

Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the professional association for landscape architects in the United States, representing more than 15,000 members. ASLA Mission: Empowering our members to design a sustainable and equitable world through landscape architecture. ASLA Fund Mission: Investing in global, social, and environmental change through the art and science of landscape architecture.

The ASLA Board of Trustees began selecting honorees for The ASLA Medal in 1971. Ten additional honors medals have been introduced throughout the years including three honorary membership recognitions. Each honor recognizes accomplishments made through landscape architecture to create a more sustainable and equitable world filled with healthy and resilient places. For details about the 2022 Honors Recipients, visit: /2022Honors/