Expanding Your Preservation Program to Tell a Fuller Story: Culturally Significant Places, Designation, and the Role of Local Governments

Abigail Christman is a Senior City Planner in Landmark Preservation at the City and County of Denver. Abigail has a varied background having previously worked for consulting firms, Colorado Preservation, Inc., and the University of Colorado Denver. Her experience includes Section 106n consultation, reconnaissance and intensive-level surveys, National Register nominations, HABS/HAER/HALS documentation, neighborhood pattern books, preservation tax credit certification, interpretation, public outreach, and serving on the Denver Landmark Commission. Abigail also teaches a graduate course for CU Denver titled Historic Buildings in Context. Abigail holds a B.A. in History from the University of South, a M.A. in Public History/Historic Preservation from Middle Tennessee State University, and a M.A. in Histories and Theories of Architecture from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, England.
Email: Abigail.Christman@denvergov.org

Adrian Scott Fine serves as the Senior Director of Advocacy for the Los Angeles Conservancy, Adrian Scott Fine oversees the organization’s outreach, advocacy and response on key preservation issues within the greater Los Angeles area. This includes setting priorities, protecting historic places, developing initiatives, working with local governments and community stakeholders, and preparing responses to Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs). The Los Angeles Conservancy is the largest local nonprofit historic preservation organization in the country. Previously he was with the National Trust for Historic Preservation as the Director of the Center for State and Local Policy, based in Washington, DC. From 2000 to 2009, Mr. Fine was the Director of the Northeast Field Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, coordinating the programs and advocacy efforts in Philadelphia, serving the states of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Adrian Scott Fine currently serves as the President of the board of trustees for the California Preservation Foundation, is a founding member of Docomomo US/Southern California, and teaches at the University of Southern California Heritage Conservation Summer Program, the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions, and as part of the Getty Conservation Institute’s (GCI) Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative.
Email: afine@laconservancy.org

Gail Kennard heads the architecture practice founded by her late father, Robert Kennard, FAIA, in Los Angeles. She currently serves as vice president of the City of Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission. She is an advisor to the Los Angeles African American Historic Places Project for the City of Los Angeles and the Getty Conservation Institute, and she is also an advisor to the African Americans in California initiative of the California Office of Historic Preservation.
Email: gmk@kdgarchitects.com

Becca Dierschow is a Senior City Planner with Denver Landmark Preservation. She has a M.A. in Buildings Archaeology from the University of York (UK). Her expertise includes community outreach, historic designation, historic property research and design review. While working for the City of Denver, she served on the task force to update the City’s Landmark Designation ordinance and acted as a preservation team lead on the West Area Neighborhood Planning Initiative. She recently wrote the historic designation application for La Raza Park in Denver Colorado, leveraging personal interviews and community meetings to shape the successful application.
Email: Becca.Dierschow@denvergov.org

Ean Thomas Tafoya is a prominent advocate who believes in the transformative power of a single voice. With a commitment to human rights spanning local and international levels, Ean's dedication shines through his moniker, "The International Voice of The Unheard." Through direct action, he challenges established power structures to address inequality and injustice. Ean's fusion of art and advocacy amplifies his message, connecting with audiences across boundaries.

At the core of Ean's approach is community leadership. He champions the notion that lasting change emanates from within communities. By empowering individuals and mobilizing grassroots efforts, he helps communities take charge of their destinies. Ean's work reminds us that true transformation emerges when the voices of those most affected by issues are heard.