(Phoenix, Ariz., March 13, 2023) – After five years spearheading the evolution of DLR Group’s campus planning practice, Principal and Campus Planning Leader Krisan Osterby is transitioning to Senior Planner to focus her efforts as a thought leader, subject matter expert, and mentor in major projects. DLR Group has elevated her current co-leader, Principal and Senior Campus Planner Linsey Graff to Campus Planning Leader. In this role, Graff will guide the continuing expansion and excellence of the Campus Planning studio within the firm’s growing global Higher Education practice.
Graff began her career at DLR Group as Associate in 2018 and quickly rose to Principal. She has collaborated with colleges and universities worldwide to develop integrated campus plans, sustainability plans, and strategic visioning. With comprehensive campus planning experience, she supports campus and community engagement that defines goals and objectives with user groups, prioritizes planning solutions, and encourages participatory decision-making.
Graff’s leadership and innovation in DLR Group’s 360 Engagement Process has elevated the Campus Planning studio and led to such successful projects as the California State University Long Beach Campus Master Plan, Riverside Community College District Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, and the Northern Arizona University Smart Campus Master Plan.
Graff held a three-year term on the AIA National Diversity and Inclusion Council, where she focused on increasing attention and resources for K–12 pipeline programs. She was one of 22 architects and educators to be invited to join the Equity in Architecture Commission and was featured on the Design is Everywhere podcast, discussing equity, wellness, and engagement. At DLR Group, Graff is a leader in our Equity Forum, advocating for equity initiatives companywide. Graff is a leader within the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) Pacific Regional Council. In her role as Membership Chair, she is working on initiatives to increase membership at both the local and national levels.
“We’ve seen so much exciting growth in the campus planning team and portfolio over the past five years,” said Graff. “I am thrilled to step into this role to continue to scale-up our practice, grow our team, and inspire our clients. Our team will continue to focus on creating innovative and collaborative planning processes that result in thoughtful, equitable, and sustainably-minded master plans.
On behalf of our entire team, we are incredibly grateful to Krisan for her leadership and mentorship over the past five years and look forward to working with Krisan in her new role.” In her role as Senior Planner, Osterby will continue to build on the work of the Campus Planning studio: ushering in a new generation of planners and designers, while advising, deepening relationships with institutions, and continuing to expand campus planning in the worldwide market. “This transition allows me to return to clients and projects that seek a deeper connection between strategic and physical planning,” said Osterby. “Every campus tells a story. I’m excited to focus on the educational, environmental, and operational changes required to support that story.”
Osterby’s expertise includes comprehensive campus plans, academic health center facility plans, and landscape master plans. Her decades-long institutional relationships span from Alaska to Florida, working with community college districts, liberal arts colleges, HBCU’s, public and private universities, and land grant institutions. Osterby has contributed to campus and plans in Canada, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, and Iraq, stemming from her studies as an IES Scholar and Fulbright/ITT Fellow. She is a licensed Landscape Architect, a member of the Gustavus Adolphus College Arboretum Advisory Board, a Society for College and University Planning Academy member, and a Director of the International Town Gown Association.
“Krisan has been vitally instrumental in building our Campus Planning studio over the past five years,” said Senior Principal and Global Higher Education Leader Stu Rothenberger. “We look forward to watching the team continue to flourish as Linsey now steps into this role and utilizes her many talents to elevate our Campus Planning studio to a new level.”
About DLR Group
DLR Group is an integrated design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization for new construction, renovation, and adaptive reuse. Our promise is to elevate the human experience through design. This promise inspires sustainable design for a diverse group of public and private sector clients; local communities; and our planet. DLR Group is 100 percent employee-owned and fully supports the initiatives and goals of the 2030 Challenge, and is an initial signatory to the China Accord and the AIA 2030 Commitment.
(Photo credit: David Huff Photography)
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