
where life and the environment meet on the ground
Our Team
When establishing WDSLA, Keith Wilson had a goal of assembling a team that would integrate and balance the characteristics of experience, energy, diversity, and professional drive. To that end, the firm’s staff includes both career and younger professionals and proudly reflects a diverse and inclusive demographic.
Each staff member brings key attributes complementary to our core values. The result is a team that is intelligent, creative, thorough, engaged, driven, and fun to work with.

Keith Wilson
Principal Landscape Architect, ASLA, PLA
Keith has 20 years experience in landscape architecture, primarily as a lead designer and project manager. His varied project experience has focused on park and recreation facilities, but also includes civic developments awarded LEED certification, retail and commercial centers, office developments, streetscapes and landscape corridors. Keith is a skilled facilitator of the community outreach process, in which he strives to educate the public, assist residents in articulating a vision for their outdoor spaces and assist jurisdictions in understanding and achieving the priorities of their community.
As direct client contact and project manager for the majority of his projects, Keith has utilized his experience in hands-on planning and design to lead larger multi-discipline design teams and build collaborative client relationships. He also has extensive experience with conducting and preparing team design meetings and reviews, field construction observations, field reports and submittal reviews, and providing landscape construction support services to both private and public clients. He is a Folsom resident and has been actively involved with many local private, public and volunteer projects.
Education: BS, Landscape Architecture, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Registrations: Registered Landscape Architect, CA #4728, AZ #046310

Keith Billick
Senior Associate Landscape Architect, ASLA, PLA
With a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) from Iowa State University and a Master of Urban Design (MUD) from the University of Colorado Denver, Keith brings over 29 years of experience in community planning, urban design, and landscape architecture, primarily as a project manager/team lead. His professional experience includes working in the public, private and academic sectors. This varied background includes many project types; comprehensive planning, entitlements, zoning, master planning, park and recreation, civic developments, educational facilities, mixed-use developments, residential communities, streetscapes, and stormwater management. Keith Billick will lead the development and growth of our new San Francisco office, with regular support from our primary office in Sacramento.
Education:
BLA, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture; Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
MUD, Master of Urban Design; University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado
Registrations:
Registered Landscape Architect, CA #6663, IA #657, MO #826, KS #656, CO #960, TX #2488, OK #252, MS #478

Jessica McWilliams
Associate Landscape Architect, ASLA, PLA,
Jessica joined WDSLA in 2016 as Senior Landscape Architect and Project Manager. She received her license in 2015 and has over 11 years of experience working for some of the region’s most reputable landscape architecture firms, including international experience in Australia between 2012 and 2013. Jessica brings a breadth of experience and knowledge that is the backbone of WDSLA’s growth into a firm that can accomplish projects of virtually any type and scale.
Jessica's daily responsibilities include managing project budgets and workflow, developing and mentoring staff and sub-consultants and acting as direct client contact for almost every project we undertake. Her professional experience includes work on parks, streetscapes and landscape corridors, public art, civic developments, retail and commercial centers, office developments, residential masterplans and private residential design.
Education: BS, Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University, 2006
Registrations: Registered Landscape Architect, CA #6106

Robert Goss
Senior Associate Landscape Architect, ASLA, PLA
With a distinguished public sector career, as well as significant private sector experience, Robert brings unique and strategic knowledge of the civic improvement project process to WDSLA. Prior to his 25-year career with the City of Folsom, he spent 10 years in private practice as a designer and project manager of both private and civic works, with an emphasis on public capital improvement projects. As the City of Folsom’s first landscape architect, Robert had responsibility for developing its young park and recreation system. With full responsibility for budget, community involvement, design, bidding and construction administration, he has uncommon experience spending significant time in both the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments. He ascended to Folsom’s parks and recreation director, serving for 14 years where he shaped an award-winning department and a community of distinction. This combination of experiences provides him with a deep understanding of assessing community needs; staff requirements for programming and long-term maintenance; and navigating the political landscape.
Robert has a comprehensive understanding of municipal budgeting, finance, capital improvement programs, and asset management. He is passionate about the importance of civic improvement projects developed through thoughtful community engagement, strategic planning, innovative design, environmental protection and resiliency, and responsible budget management.
Education: BS Cum Laude, Landscape Architecture, California Polytechnic University Pomona
Registrations: Registered Landscape Architect CA #2949

Nate Oakley
Associate Landscape Architect, ASLA, PLA
Nate joined WDSLA in 2019 with 7 years of experience. Nate has experience working on both large and small scale projects. Whether it is converting car parking stalls to bicycle corrals or envisioning recreational opportunities along creek corridors, he seeks to create meaningful space at any scale.
With a background in non-profit and community outreach, Nate strives to build strong relationships within project teams as well as with those who are ultimately interacting with designed spaces. His breadth of experience has given him the skills to rapidly iterate design ideas in multiple formats, from low-fidelity sketches to polished 3D renderings to construction documents.
Education: BS Cum Laude, Landscape Architecture, University of California at Davis, 2015
Registrations: Registered Landscape Architect, CA #6626
ISA Certified Arborist #WE-13318A

Karin Kaufman
Landscape Architect, ASLA, PLA
Karin joined WDSLA in 2022, bringing a high level of experience and capability to its growing Sacramento office. Drawing inspiration from the beauty and diverse environments of her native state, California, Karin strives to elevate the human experience and honor the natural environment through designs that bring the two together. Karin's collaborative approach to design, building teams with architects, engineers, planners, and horticulturists, results in landscapes that withstand the test of time.
Prior to joining WDSLA, Karin ran her own landscape architecture firm with offices in Nevada City and Santa Barbara, and she continues to engage in projects in her home community of Nevada County and throughout California in support of WDSLA's growth
Education: Certificate of Landscape Architecture, University of California, Los Angeles
Registrations: Registered Landscape Architect, CA #5446

Ray Papa
Project Manager
Ray joined WDSLA in 2021 with over 7 years of professional experience working in the Bay Area, Ray brings with him a wealth of knowledge and a passion for design. He taps into this knowledge and passion daily, whether working on high-end residential homes, educational campuses, wineries, or national design competitions. Ray is well versed in every phase of the design process and enjoys being an integral part of projects from concept through construction. On any given day Ray might be found collaborating with a coworker, figuring out a complex detail in the field, or creating an exceptional 3D graphic rendering.
Clients and coworkers appreciate his team player mentality and willingness to go the extra mile. With an attention to detail, thoughtful analysis, and enthusiasm for creating beautiful built environments, Ray is a valuable member of the WDSLA team.
Education: BS, Landscape Architecture, University of California, Davis

Yashoda Godhani
Project Manager
Yashoda joined WDSLA in 2021 with 2 years of experience. Yashoda strongly believes that landscape architecture is a medium that establishes a connection between the complex ecological and cultural systems with its users. She is a motivated and highly inquisitive designer who aspires to use her knowledge and experience to create resilient and sustainable designs.
She completed her Bachelors degree at Iowa State University, and moved to LA to pursue a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Southern California. During her graduate program, she interned at a few design and multi-disciplinary firms in LA while actively participating in co-curricular activities. After graduating, she moved to the Bay Area and worked on several city and commercial projects. Moving forward, Yashoda is determined to apply her design insight on projects to create landscapes that people connect to.
Education:
MLA, Landscape Architecture + Urbanism, University of Southern California
BLA, Landscape Architecture, Iowa State University

John Guzman
Landscape Designer, ASLA Associate
John joined WDSLA in 2022 after graduating from the Landscape Architecture program at The University of California, Davis (UCD). John's educational journey has provided him a solid foundation in understanding the technicalities of the landscape design process. He has also disciplined himself with an array of hand drawing and drafting techniques, as well as a proficient understanding in using various design programs such as AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp and Adobe Suite essentials.
After graduating from The University of California, Davis in 2021, John jumped right into pursuing his career right away. The knowledge that he gained from studying both Architecture and Landscape Architecture widened his understanding about the integration between the built and the natural environment. He believes the two opposing environments have the capability to coexist in an amenable and harmonious disposition.
Education:
BS, Landscape Architecture, University of California, Davis
Architecture Design, Diablo Valley College
AA, Arts and Humanities, Contra Costa College
AA, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Contra Costa College
Mechanical Engineering, University of Santo Tomas

Nathalia Frignani-Burini
Landscape Designer
Nathalia joined WDSLA in 2022 as a Design Intern, during her final months at UC Davis. Following graduation, Nathalia joined the firm full-time as a Landscape Designer. Nathalia is a driven, creative, and detail-oriented landscape designer. Nathalia is passionate about working on landscape designs in urban environments and reconnecting cities to local ecologies.
Nathalia enjoys collaborating in a team effort to create complex designs that support the natural environment and inspire it's users. In her spare time, Nathalia can be found exploring various green areas and parks around the city.
Education: BS, Landscape Architecture, University of California, Davis

Juan Ramos
Landscape Designer
Juan joined WDSLA in 2022 after graduating from the Landscape Architecture program at UC Davis. Juan first became interested in the field of Landscape Architecture at a young age, after being exposed to the construction factors of residential and commercial properties. Since joining WDSLA, Juan has become familiar with every step of a projects course. It has allowed him to grow as a newly employed professional at a rapid pace.
Juan's time is spread between working on residential properties, commercial properties, and public parks. With his self-taught 3D rendering abilities, he is able to assist with projects that require 3D visuals.
Education: BS, Landscape Architecture, University of California, Davis

Norma Pekelo Kuykendall
Controller
Prior to joining WDSLA as Controller in April 2019, Norma spent 10 years in the private sector, followed by a 30-year career in the public sector in the areas of finance management and administration. While at the City of Folsom, Norma worked in various positions in four different departments: Accountant in Finance, Analyst in Public Works, Budget Manager in City Manager’s Office, and Senior Management Analyst in Parks and Recreation. Norma also served as a liaison to Human Resources for recruitment and retention; supervised support staff; administered special projects; and managed and negotiated contracts. Early in her career she developed a new format for the annual budget document for which the City received its first GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association) award for producing a distinguished budget document.
Norma's excellent organizational, leadership, mentoring, and team building skills provide a positive influence on others to do their best toward a common goal.
Education: MBA, San Jose State University