The VHTA Team
Behind the Von Hausen Training Academy is a team of experienced practitioners, educators, and innovators united by a shared commitment to raising the standard of professional education in urban planning, design, and real estate development. Together, we are passionate about equipping the next generation of community builders with the knowledge, judgment, and practical skills needed to create resilient, timeless, and vibrant communities that thrive for generations.
Michael von Hausen
Michael is an internationally recognized urban designer, educator, and author with four decades of experience shaping communities across North America and beyond. Renowned for translating visionary planning principles into practical, real-world outcomes, he is passionate about mentoring the next generation of professionals and empowering them with the knowledge, tools, and leadership skills to create resilient, vibrant, and timeless places.
President
Alina Kouneva Tremblay
Alina is a landscape designer and project manager dedicated to creating resilient, ecologically responsible environments that strengthen the connection between people and nature. With expertise in Pacific Northwest native planting, rainwater-inclusive design, and restorative landscape planning, she brings a thoughtful, systems-based approach to crafting culturally meaningful, functional, and enduring outdoor spaces that enhance both communities and the natural world.
Director, Recruitment and Coaching
Director, Technology and OperationsJosh Randall
Josh combines expertise in digital strategy, technology, and user experience design to build innovative learning platforms that make world-class education accessible and engaging. As the architect behind the Virtual Hausen Training Academy's digital experience, he is focused on creating a seamless ecosystem that equips the next generation of urban leaders with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to shape resilient, vibrant, and enduring communities.
Coaches
Mark Holland
Coach, Real Estate Development ApprovalsMark is registered professional planner with degrees in landscape architecture and planning. He has over 30 yrs of experience and worked in the public and private sector and in the real estate development industry. He served as a professor for ten years in planning and real estate development at Vancouver Island University, and chairs and teaches in UDI’s Real Estate Development Management program, accredited through Royal Roads University. He has won many awards for his work and was inducted into the Canadian Institute of Planners’ College of Fellows in 2022.
Director, Media and CommunicationsAndrew Forster
Andrew is a creative director, storyteller, and digital marketing strategist with a passion for transforming ideas into compelling visual narratives. Drawing on decades of experience in film production, branding, and audience engagement, he helps organizations communicate with clarity and purpose while inspiring others through the power of authentic storytelling.
David Witty
Coach, Urban Design and PlanningDave is one of Canada's most respected urban planners, educators, and academic leaders, with a distinguished career spanning professional practice, higher education, and public service. A Fellow and former President of the Canadian Institute of Planners, he has shaped communities, influenced planning policy, led renowned academic programs, and received numerous national honours for his lifetime contributions to urban planning, design, and community development, while continuing to inspire the next generation of planning professionals.