Paula Westmoreland - Founder, Lead Designer, Land Guide

As a permaculture designer, agroecologist, teacher, and author, Paula Westmoreland is a leading voice in the regenerative community. Paula is passionate about designing whole systems that connect people to the land in a way that enriches both and guiding people in reconnecting with land. 

Paula founded Ecological Design in 2000. She has a Masters degree in Ecology, Sustainable Agriculture and Landscape Design from the University of Minnesota, and a diploma in Site Design from Permaculture Institute of North America.

In 2003, she co-founded the Permaculture Research Institute Cold Climate and developed the Natural Capital Plant Database for designing polycultures and cropping systems.  Paula is co-author of a book of illustrated essays called, “This Perennial Land: Third Crops, Blue Earth and the Road to a Restorative Agriculture”.  

Lindsay Rebhan - CEO

Ecological Design Owner, Designer, Land Guide

Lindsay Rebhan is passionate about the health of land, water and people. She is a steward of the natural world and food systems. She loves supporting others with their land, livelihood, learning and nourishment. 

A specialist in agroecology, land use, land design and land management, Lindsay works with gardeners, farmers, food nonprofits and organizations to increase the ecological, human, animal and economic health of land over time.

A graduate of Environmental Studies at the University of St. Thomas, Lindsay studied food systems and culture in Bangladesh, Cuba and Guatemala. She is a former Program Director at Permaculture Research Institute Cold Climate, and Program Coordinator at Renewing the Countryside. Lindsay co-teaches an annual Regenerative Farm Design Course at Mastodon Valley Farm.  She serves on the Board of BioNutrient Food Association, on Land Team for Commons Land Trust, the Advisory Council for Savanna Institute and is a speaker & leader on Land Regeneration and Ecological Design.

Laura Freund - Designer

A Certified Permaculture Designer, Laura Freund has worked with Ecological Design since 2007 in urban design and installation. Laura has a diverse horticultural background with experience in greenhouse production, plant propagation, ecological restoration and farming. She gardens extensively on her own property where she experiments with plant hardiness, pest management, incorporating children and creating functional design. Laura loves the work she does and is most happy when sharing what she’s learned with others.

Julie Ristau - Advisor, Land Transition Consultant

Julie grew up on a small diversified farm in Southern Minnesota and has years of professional experience in the agriculture arena. She founded Minnesota Rural Organizing Project and co-founded Homegrown Minneapolis, the city’s local Urban Agriculture and Food initiative. She was also on the Board of the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture for six years and is currently on the Board of Shared Capital Cooperative. Julie joined Sharing Our Roots in 2015 to help acquire and establish their 100-acre farm. She served as Executive Director from 2018-2020 and now works with the Sharing Our Roots' team as a Senior Fellow, a Climate Land Leader and as the spark for the new Southeast Minnesota Agrarian Commons.

Jessica Hui - Graphic Designer, Digital Creator

Jessica is a Toronto-based art director and designer passionate about using creativity to make a lasting impact. Her work spans editorial design, brand identity, web design, digital experiences, installations, and advertising, blending intuitive vision with strategic thinking. Jessica’s approach is driven by a thoughtful balance of colour and form, ensuring her designs are visually compelling and purposeful. Outside of her design work, she’s the Trinity Bellwoods Community Garden Coordinator and enjoys baking with seasonal produce.