Our Team.

Challenging dated planning ideals to realize design that is more sustaining and complete — celebrating the possibility of place.
Paul Fenske
Principal | President
BA in Landscape Architecture | University of British Columbia
MA in Planning | University of British Columbia
Holding professional degrees in both Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Paul applies design thinking to read the land, reconcile competing interests, and create design vision that captures the unique spirit of place.
Born on the east coast and raised in central Canada, Paul calls the west coast home. He approaches the disciplines of planning and design as partners in place making, seeking to foster understanding and strengthen the relationship between meaning and experience, built form and community.
From conference engagements to university classrooms, Paul’s hands-on approach has developed a respected reputation for reconciling the competing interests underlying every project to realize change that is both meaningful and sustaining.
Paul has over 25 years of professional experience in British Columbia and internationally – full details on LinkedIn.
Not one to shy away from a creative challenge – and a natural teacher always pleased to share his knowledge + experience — Paul is the Yoda for Placemark.
– The Placemark Team

Thoughtful design is only as good as its implementation — I am driven by the complex process to realize great places.
Theo Finseth
Partner
BASC in Urban Studies and Sustainability | University of British Columbia
Diploma in Real Estate and Development | Sauder School of Business (UBC)
Driven by the opportunity to bridge the disciplines of planning, design and community building, Theo weaves together design innovation and market intelligence to challenge convention in creating lasting communities as a partner at Placemark. An education in Urban Planning and Land Economics provides Theo with a unique skillset in leading and delivering successful projects.
Born and raised in Vancouver’s tight-knit neighborhood of Commercial Drive, Theo knows what a great community looks like – drawing upon his firsthand experience to realize the possibility of place.
A true believer in that a strong team is at the core of our success, Theo is committed to a free exchange of ideas in fostering a collaborative team environment – bringing out the best in each member of the Placemark team.
Theo has over 8 years of professional experience in British Columbia – full details on LinkedIn.
With his finger on the pulse, Theo brings focused energy and enthusiasm to the challenge of delivering great projects – all while encouraging a collaborative team environment.
– The Placemark Team

I enjoy bringing a different perspective to the challenge at hand – considering diverse views towards arriving at the best solution possible.
Beatriz Oliva
Director of Strategy
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Hons) | University of British Columbia
Drawing on her many years as an urban design project manager, Bea couples her design and industry insights, with her strategic thinking and love for numbers to ensure Placemark operates effortlessly – allowing the team to do what we do best: design.
A generalist with an eye for design, Bea is able to move fluidly from building business analysis to engaging communication narratives, facilitating team growth to overseeing financial management – she is Placemark’s Operations Director.
Bea has over 8 years of professional experience in British Columbia and Mexico – full details on LinkedIn.
A jack of all trades, she brings creative energy and insight to everything we do – Bea is our secret weapon.
– The Placemark Team

I’m motivated by the challenge of unlocking design solutions that are revealed through a deep technical understanding of the land.
Montgomery Friesen
Technical Design Director
Civil and Municipal CAD Drafting | BCIT
Pairing an intuitive design eye with over 2 decades of experience, Monty oversees the technical team at Placemark in the delivery of comprehensive designs and plan sets.
Montgomery continually seeks to leverage the lessons learned from the on-going development of landmark projects on which he has worked – including Burke Mountain, Predator Ridge and Royal Bay – full details on LinkedIn.
A marathon runner – Monty’s perseverance and dedication ensures we always make the project finish line…. All in record time!
– The Placemark Team


My satisfaction comes from creating design materials that provide insights to the possibilities of place.
Sean YH Lin
Director of Digital Technology
BFA Landscape Design | Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan
MLA | Tunghai University, Taiwan
MLA | University of British Colombia
With a deep understanding of technology and an eye for detail, Sean leverages the latest software to continually advance our design visualization in a way that is both captivating and technically accurate.
Sean directs the technical design and 3D modeling production at Placemark, while also leading the research and development of new technical applications in our work.
Sean has 18 years of experience between Vancouver and Taiwan. Full details on LinkedIn.
A technical powerhouse – our in-house Google – Sean is solution-oriented and always remains cool under pressure
– The Placemark Team

I’m interested in how design can support healthy relationships between the natural and built environments.
Barry Warren
Senior Project Manager
BA Environmental Studies | University of Victoria
Diploma in Environmental Community Planning | BCIT
Drawing upon his years as an environmental consultant, Barry applies his well-honed organizational and communication skills to successfully lead projects through design and approvals.
As a critical thinker, Barry is able to work from conceptual design through to detailed implementation, all while ensuring the projects stay on schedule and on budget.
Barry has over 10 years of professional experience in British Columbia – full details on LinkedIn.
A natural communicator and team player – Barry makes the demanding role of Project Manager look effortless!
– The Placemark Team

I like playing to my strengths, exploring my interest in urban design while applying my experience as an architect – all to get things done.
Andrea Martinez Alvarez
Project Manager
BA Architecture | Tec de Monterrey, MEX
Master in Urban Design | University of British Columbia
Drawing upon her years as a practicing architect, Andrea applies a keen eye for detail, meticulous organization and clear communication to her role as project manager.
Now working in planning and design, Andrea excels at working across multiple scales – from unit floor plans to master plan communities – merging beauty with practicality.
Andrea has over 10 years of professional experience in British Columbia and Mexico – full details on LinkedIn.
With a great sense of humor, Andrea brings focused energy and tenacity to every challenge – including her time living in the Yukon.
– The Placemark Team

Design allows us to shape everyday spaces in a way that supports connection, resilience, and a better future for the next generation.
Keven Fulmer
Project Manager
BLA | University of Guelph
Diploma in Landscape Architectural Technology | NAIT
With experience across public realm projects, green infrastructure, and community master planning, Keven brings both creativity and technical precision to his role at Placemark. From municipal waterfronts to urban streetscapes, his work reflects a strong understanding of how design can support resilience, connectivity, and long-term value in the public realm.
At Placemark, Keven supports the delivery of projects across all phases — from concept design to detailed documentation — drawing on his interdisciplinary background and calm, measured approach.
Keven has over 8 years of experience across Alberta and British Columbia – full details on LinkedIn.
Grounded and thoughtful, Keven brings a steady presence and attention to detail to every project. We also discovered he’s one of the few people we know who’s actually drank from the Stanley Cup — which makes him an office legend.
– The Placemark Team

I enjoy using digital tools to translate complex ideas into clear, buildable design solutions that support everyday life.
Niloufar Mozafari
Design Technician
BSc Information Technology | Azad University
Bachelor of Technology in GIS | BCIT
Diploma in Commercial Interior Design | BCIT
As a Design Technician at Placemark, Niloo supports the delivery of projects from early-stage site analysis to 3D modeling and detailed plan set development. With a background that blends commercial interior design, GIS, and information technology, she brings a unique multidisciplinary lens to both the digital and spatial aspects of our work.
Niloo is passionate about using design tools and visualizations to bring clarity and meaning to complex concepts. Her experience spans public realm design, architectural documentation, and digital rendering — always guided by a belief that well-designed environments enhance both human experience and ecological systems.
Niloo has over 5 years of combined experience in British Columbia and internationally – full details on LinkedIn.
Like a perfectly balanced pattern, Niloo’s work is thoughtful, layered, and consistently strong — she’s a true design technician with a creative eye.
– The Placemark Team

Urban design feeds my curiosity, fuels my creativity, and gives me the opportunity to shape human habitats into vibrant, loved places.
Marlena Ginocchio
Project Manager + Urban Designer
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Hons) | University of British Columbia
MasterTrack Certificate in Sustainability and Development | University of Michigan
With a cross-continental career spanning Australia and Canada, Marlena brings a global and richly layered perspective to urban design. Her experience includes working with leading planning consultancies, private developers, and as a consulting Design Manager, giving her a unique insight into both the creative and commercial realities of shaping cities.
At Placemark, Marlena brings strategic clarity to complex projects — balancing design ambition with real-world constraints and stakeholder needs. Her approach is grounded, thoughtful, and always people-centered, with a special passion for places that honor the land and support sustainable community life.
A former Australian Rules Football player who represented Canada internationally, Marlena channels the same athletic drive, focus, and team-oriented mindset into her design work – thriving in fast-paced, high-stakes environments where precision and collaboration are key.
Marlena has over 10 years of experience in urban design and development across British Columbia and Australia – full details on LinkedIn.
Like primary yellow, Marlena stands out — not for volume, but for strength, clarity, and focus. A true team player with an athlete’s mindset, she brings competitive spirit, curiosity, and consistency to everything she touches — whether it’s a design deadline or a friendly bowling match.
– The Placemark Team

Design lets me shape future communities — now with a more intentional lens and a bigger toolkit.
Ian Hodges
Project Coordinator
BA in Architecture & Design | University of Toronto
Post-Degree Certificate in Project Management | University of Toronto
Diploma in Urban Land Economics (in progress) | University of British Columbia
Ian brings a steady, thoughtful energy to the Placemark team, supporting research, design documentation, and planning coordination across mixed-use and residential projects. With a background in architecture and development, he’s driven by the challenge of transforming ideas into built outcomes that serve both form and function.
His work on Anmore South, near his hometown, reflects his commitment to building places that matter — both personally and for future communities.
Ian has professional experience in development and design in British Columbia – full details on LinkedIn.
Whether running 100km or solving design problems, Ian brings focus, determination, and drive. He’s calm under pressure and always sees the bigger picture.
– The Placemark Team

Once you start noticing how places are designed — from the materials of a building to the choice of tree — you realize just how much thought goes into building spaces that work.
Liene Blitsone
Office Manager
Bachelor of Business in Management | Cork Institute of Technology
BA (Hons) in Languages for International Communication | Dublin City University
Diploma in Graphic Design | St. John’s Central College
Liene brings over 8 years of experience in administrative leadership, project coordination, and business operations to her role at Placemark. With a background in construction, quality management, and design, she keeps the studio running smoothly while also elevating the everyday details that make a big difference.
Known for her calm efficiency and attention to detail, Liene handles everything from financial tracking and vendor coordination to event planning and team support. Her global journey—from Latvia to Ireland to Canada—adds a depth of perspective and adaptability that shines through in her work.
Liene has over 8 years of professional experience across British Columbia and Ireland – full details on LinkedIn.
Liene brings clarity, structure, and care to every corner of Placemark — all while keeping the team grounded, laughing, and on track. She runs the show with quiet authority and impeccable style, and Placemark simply wouldn’t be the same without her.
– The Placemark Team