Who we are

We are a relationships-first planning and design practice focused on creating more resilient and just communities for people and ecosystems.

We cultivate trusting and deeply collaborative relationships with clients and communities as the starting point for innovative and systemic change.

Our Core Values

1 We believe in WORKING across scales to leverage the most impact.

We work on everything from site-scale concept design and small area planning, to regional planning and policy development.

2 We believe in the interconnectedness of it all.

Vulnerable people and ecological communities are often made vulnerable by many of the same overarching forces. Our work always takes this interdependency into account when designing and planning for the future.

3 We believe in the power of integrating data and science into equity-driven work.

Knowledge is power - we co-create processes with stakeholders that democratize access to traditional data and scientific research while integrating important firsthand data from lived experiences.

4 We do not believe in binary thinking.

All too often we perpetuate the myth that human and natural systems are at odds with each other. Overcoming this binary requires innovative planning and design where multifunctional goals are seen as complementary rather than in competition. We work with stakeholders to create new paradigms where we can accomplish more positive change together.

5 We believe the way you get somewhere is just as important as the destination.

We address potential distrust and historic trauma amongst stakeholders by creating processes that ask participants to be deeply accountable to transparency and communication as a part of our core practice.

6 We believe in radical hope and love-focused leadership.

Fear is powerful but no one does their best or most innovative visioning for the future when fear is driving the process. We work to keep our hope, love, and optimism about the future of our communities and our planet at the center of our work.

Meet our Founder

Meet our Founder

Katie Coyne, AICP, Certified Ecologist

Founder and Managing Principal

Katie Coyne is an award-winning queer ecologist, designer, and urban planner. Prior to founding Resilient Future Studio, they served as Environmental Officer for the City of Austin and guided all environmental vision and policy for the rapidly growing metropolis. Before joining the City, they founded an urban ecological design practice with nationally recognized work. They co-led the City of Austin’s first racial equity focused climate plan, facilitated sustainable design-focused discussions for Austin’s first MLS stadium, and stewarded the City Council resolution that initiated the establishment of Austin’s first Resilience Office and Chief Resilience Officer. They have taught Urban Ecology at the UT School of Architecture and regularly speak passionately about the role of love in climate and environmental work, and about what queer and non-binary thinking can teach us about magnifying our global impact.

Recognition

  • 2024 Austin Woman Magazine, Changemaker List

  • 2022 Austin Young Women’s Alliance, Beautifully Made “Lead” Award

  • 2020 Central Texas APA, Planner of the Year

  • 2019 Austin Under 40 Award Winner, Architecture, Engineering and Construction Category

  • 2019 Finalist, Profiles in Power Central Texas Women of Influence Awards, Austin Business Journal

Current Public Service Roles

  • Advisory Council Member | University of Texas School of Architecture

  • LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Commissioner | City of Austin

  • Emeritus Board Member | Equality Texas

  • Advisor | Urban Wildlife Information Network, Lincoln Park Zoo

cOLLABORATORS

Meet our favorite folks to collaborate with - from former colleagues and mentors to experts we’ve followed over the years, we love teaming with these brilliant consultants.

  • New Orleans, LA
    Founder and Principal - Alexandra Miller Consulting

    Alex believes that every person and family needs a high-quality home they can afford. She believes that every community deserves inclusive investment. Her work is focused on realizing these outcomes.

    Learn more: https://alexandramillerconsulting.com/

  • Austin, TX
    Partner - Mend Collaborative

    With over 17 years of experience with ecological, environmental, and sustainability thinking, Michelle is a partner at Mend, a multidisciplinary group of designers, planners, and thought leaders. She believes that humans are part of our planet's ecology, and that everyone deserves equitable access to nature and park space – thus, her work strives to include all people and is focused on equitable outcomes for the communities she serves.

    Learn more: https://www.mendcollaborative.com/team/michellebright

  • Austin, TX
    Partner - Mend Collaborative

    Kari is a registered landscape architect who works on a broad range of parks, ecology, and equity-related planning and design projects that enhance urban ecosystems, public health, and environmental justice. She is especially interested in how participatory design processes build ecological and social resilience in communities. Bringing a background in both science and design, Kari’s work focuses on quantifying the benefits that access to high-quality natural spaces have on community member’s physical and mental health.

    Learn more: https://www.mendcollaborative.com/team/karispiegelhalter

  • Idyllwild, CA

    Founder - Inner and Outer Practices

    Ari is a facilitator, strategy & engagement specialist, climate policy convener, producer, coach & grief care worker. They are a big picture visionary with a strong pulse on the present – what’s the opportunity, lesson, or path to take in front of us, right now. They help people see the loss that’s hiding in plain sight, alongside all the wisdom, insights, and ways forward.

    Learn more: https://ari.fyi/

  • Minneapolis, MN

    Partner - Mend Collaborative

    Zakcq possesses a passion for comprehending the bigger picture and understanding how complex systems shape people's lives. He strongly believes in the power of cohesive policies, programs, and physical projects to create lasting positive impacts within communities. Zakcq derives immense satisfaction from working alongside low- and middle-income working-class communities as they navigate urban change, striving to increase access to resources and opportunities for themselves and future generations. In 2022, Zakcq co-founded Mend Collaborative to further these goals.

    Learn more: https://www.mendcollaborative.com/team/zakcqlockrem

  • Denver, CO

    Associate Principal - Nelson/Nygaard

    Jonathan believes in the opportunity for transit corridors to shape more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous cities. Between his architecture training and his transportation planning experience, Jonathan brings a passionate commitment to improving the built environment and how we move around it. He has a track record of using his technical knowledge and design skills to help articulate opportunities and tradeoffs of major transportation investments to both decision-makers and the community at-large.

    Learn more: https://www.nelsonnygaard.com/team/jonathan-mosteiro-aicp

Want to hear something cool?

Our branding was inspired by a piece of art commissioned by the Austin Young Women’s Alliance and created by The Paper Committee in honor of our Founder!