An accomplished entrepreneur and University of Maryland alum, Colleen Vacelet ’02 (Landscape Architecture, Horticulture) doesn’t just build and design for her companies, she cultivates a garden of young minds. As the president and founder of Intreegue Design and president and owner of Order Green Supply, Vacelet has been recognized for her mentorship efforts, earning the title of 2024 Mentor of the Year by the Baltimore Business Journal. With the ability to transform a rugged terrain to a flourishing landscape, Vacelet similarly envisions potential within the individuals she mentors.
Beginning her professional journey as an undergrad at UMD and as a mentee herself, Vacelet reflects, “I took an introduction to landscape architecture class, the class I now teach, and the way that professor Margarita Hill taught it clicked for me. I realized this is what I want to do.” Hill’s role in unveiling the world of landscape architecture, coupled with her ongoing support, played a vital role in shaping Vacelet’s career.
Vacelet strives to make similarly impactful mentorship accessible to all. Living this philosophy, she shares, “Intreegue Design is close to inner city Baltimore, where there are a lot of disconnected youth who are concerned with having food on the table or access to electricity. We provide mentorship opportunities to teach these students or we provide a space to help curate what- ever it is they want to go into.”
Introducing students to the field of landscape architecture empowers them to visualize themselves in innovative and creative careers. Intreegue Design has provided many high school and college students with internships, helping build skill sets, soft skills and technical, with a path towards vibrant, sustainable outcomes. The outcome is more than the landscape design, it is experiencing the transformative impact of improvement that can be applied to many facets of life.
Mentorship is a way to foster the continual growth of our professional and local communities. “As environmental stewards, it is very important that we continue education. Practices have to change as industries are dynamically changing,” Vacelet remarks. In her mentorship roles, she equips individuals with varying tools: some with the essentials to lay the foundation for a career, while others simply need shears to prune their flourishing aspirations.
by Maria Lanasa : Momentum Magazine Summer 2024
