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
Operations Director
BA in Environmental Design | 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 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
I’m interested in how design can support healthy relationships between the natural and built environments.
Barry Warren
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
What I appreciate most about Placemark is being part of a high-performance team.
Jaime Gonzalez
CAD + 3D Technician
BA Architecture | University of Guadalajara, MEX
Planning Diploma | Langara College
With experience in both CAD and 3D modeling, Jaime plays a significant role in the preparation of site analysis and design plan sets.
Jaime leverages his design-build experience, having worked as a private contractor, to complement the design process and team at Placemark.
Jaime has over 7 years of professional experience in British Columbia and Mexico – full details on LinkedIn.
Jaime is always keen to take on new challenges – we appreciate the enthusiasm and dedication that he brings to his work.
– The Placemark Team