News Release
DENVER — Design Workshop, an international landscape architecture, planning, and urban design firm, is pleased to announce that CEO Becky Zimmermann has been selected as the 2026 Trailblazer Award honoree by the Young Presidents’ Organization’s (YPO) Women in the Built World Awards. This award recognizes her exceptional leadership, industry innovation, and decades long commitment to advancing women in the built environment. The Trailblazer Award was presented at the Construction Industry Global Summit 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada earlier this month.
“I am honored to receive the Trailblazer Award. This recognition reflects the collective work of so many talented colleagues, partners, and community leaders who share a commitment to building places that endure. I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors throughout my career, and I’m dedicated to paying that forward by supporting the next generation of women in the built environment. Creating lasting impact is always a team effort, and I’m grateful to be part of a profession that continues to evolve, innovate, and open doors for others,” said Zimmermann.
The YPO Women in the Built World Awards celebrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and accomplishments by women within the construction and related industries. It also highlights companies that are taking initiatives to empower women within their workplaces and striving to make the industry inclusive.
A globally respected leader in landscape architecture and planning, Zimmermann has spent more than 35 years shaping communities, elevating the profession and expanding opportunities for future generations. As CEO of Design Workshop she leads a globally ranked, seven office firm with 175 employees and $40 million in annual revenue. Under her leadership, Design Workshop is consistently recognized among the top firms in its field.
A pioneer in mountain resort planning, Zimmermann has led transformative Tourism Master Plans for destinations including North Lake Tahoe, CA; Los Alamos, NM; Whistler, British Columbia; and Sant Julià de Lòria in Andorra. Her work on major resort master plans including Steamboat, Sun Valley, and Wasatch Peaks Ranch has set new standards for balancing infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and community needs.
In 2020, Zimmermann spearheaded Design Workshop’s transition to a 100% employee owned firm, reinforcing her belief in shared success and long term empowerment. The firm was recently named the 2025 ESOP Company of the Year by The ESOP Association’s Rocky Mountain Chapter.
Beyond her project work, Zimmermann is widely recognized for her commitment to mentorship, inclusion, and leadership development. Her influence extends across the industry through her service on the Urban Land Institute’s Travel Experience and Trends Council, her active membership in YPO Gold and her frequent keynote presentations at national conferences.
Zimmermann has also played a pivotal role in expanding the impact of Design Workshop Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to community capacity building. Under her guidance, the Foundation launched its Community Capacity Building Initiative, providing technical assistance to under resourced communities across the U.S. Since 2022, the Foundation has partnered with nine organizations, completed more than 900 hours of in-kind service, and supported eight community driven projects in four states. In 2024, Design Workshop Foundation earned the ASLA National Community Service Award.
“Becky’s leadership has transformed not only our firm, but the communities and professionals she touches,” said Robb Berg, President of Design Workshop. “She is a visionary, a mentor, and a champion for equity in our industry. This recognition is a reflection of her extraordinary impact.”
Zimmermann’s achievements stand out in a field where women hold just 12% of advanced leadership roles, according to the VELA Project. Her career demonstrates what is possible when innovation, inclusion, and purpose come together.
Founded in 1969, Design Workshop is an internationally renowned design firm specializing in landscape architecture, urban planning, and strategic services with seven studios in the U.S. and projects spanning the globe. Our work focuses on the intersection of art, community, environment, and economics to increase social equity and create places of meaning and resonance. For additional information follow us at @designworkshop on LinkedIn and Instagram.