UMass LARP Alumni Board : Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning : UMass Amherst

The UMass LARP Alumni Board, known as the Waugh Alumni Board, is a group of UMass Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning alumni who organize professional development programs like mentoring workshops, fundraising campaigns like UMass Gives, and networking events for students and alumni across the region. The board founded the Waugh Alumni Scholarship Fund, which raises money to provide educational resources to the department and support students on their professional journeys.

If you have questions about the alumni board or are interested in joining, please email Patricia McGirr (@email).

Alumni Board Members

Sebastian Gutwein

Waugh Alumni Board Member, Living Systems Designer

Sebastian (Bas) Gutwein is a living systems designer and founding partner of Regenerative Design Group (RDG). His work draws from his interests in the arts, ecology, politics, and place.

Christine Brestrup

Waugh Alumni Board Member, Former Planning Director

Christine Brestrup is a member of the Waugh Alumni Board at UMass Amherst and is the former Planning Director for the Town of Amherst, MA. She served in that position for 8 years, before retiring in September 2024 and now works part time for the Amherst Planning Department

Jessie Crowley Waisnor

Waugh Alumni Board Member, Landscape Architect

Jessie Crowley Waisnor received her BSLA from UMass Amherst in 2002. Her work for the Town includes signage design, community events, planning, playground and park design with a specific focus on playground design. Jessie is a registered Landscape Architect, Certified Playgrounds Safety Inspector and OSHA Certified.

Karen Sebastian

Waugh Alumni Board Member, Landscape Architect

Karen Sebastian, ASLA is a Registered Landscape Architect and Principal of Karen Sebastian LLC Landscape Architecture located in Waltham, Massachusetts. Karen received her MLA (Master of Landscape Architecture) from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1999.

Rebecca A. Bachand

Waugh Alumni Board Member, Landscape Architect

Rebecca Bachand, PLA, LEED AP, is a registered landscape architect and owner of RBLA Design LLC, a certified Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE) in Massachusetts. Rebecca earned a BSLA from UMass Amherst in 1998 and currently serves on the Waugh Alumni Board.

David Hancox

Waugh Alumni Board Member, Landscape Designer

David Hancox is a member of the Waugh Alumni Board and is the President of Landscape Oasis. David received his bachelor's in landscape architecture from UMass Amherst in 1990.

Jen Stromsten

Waugh Alumni Board Member, BDCC Director of Programs

Jen Stromsten is the Director of Programs for Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC). She earned a master's in regional planning from UMass Amherst in 2014 with a focus on economically sustainable land use through infill-driven redevelopment in towns.

Ben Lovejoy

Waugh Alumni Board Member, Director of Regional Planning and Municipal Services

Ben Lovejoy earned a master's in regional planning from UMass Amherst in 2022. He currently serves on the Waugh Alumni Board and works as the Director of Regional Planning and Municipal Services for South-Central Regional Council of Governments.