Our Staff
Gallery
Kate Kennen RLA
Owner

Joe Shafner
Director of Landscape Operations
Joe graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. He is a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist (MCH), Massachusetts Certified Landscape Professional [MCLP #1626], an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional [AOLCP] with the New England Organic Farming Association [NOFA], earned a Permaculture Design Certificate [PDC] through the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and has worked in the nursery business and landscape design and construction fields for over two decades. Having been involved with all sides of the industry, Joe has extensive knowledge of plants, design and installation, thereby ensuring successful collaborations with clients, designers and trade professionals. He strives to create symbiotic relationships between clients, landscape and natural ecologies. As the Director of Operations with Offshoots, Joe is responsible for managing all aspects of the installation division.

Terry Kinsler
Senior Associate

Shelby Chapman-Hale
Senior Associate

Will Q. Smith
Senior Associate
Will is a licensed landscape architect with 12 years of professional experience working on a range of project types, from high-end residential to large-scale public landscapes. He is fluent at shepherding projects through all stages of the design process and finds satisfaction in questioning norms, testing assumptions, and translating creative ideas into built work. His undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from Lewis and Clark College and Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley provides a unique skill set for understanding the art of making landscapes through observing, interpreting, and navigating the social, economic, and ecological systems influencing public and private landscapes.

Nelle Ward
Landscape Architect
Nellie’s career as a Landscape Architect began with acquiring a Master of Science in Ecological Design from the Conway School. Nellie was then awarded full-time Teaching Assistantship positions at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, enabling them to pursue a Master of Landscape Architecture. Nellie’s intensive focus on green stormwater infrastructure and sustainable design throughout their studies landed them in Philadelphia, a green urbanism hotspot. Nellie worked at several types of firms ranging from large interdisciplinary engineering firms to small private practices, where their duties ranged from community engagement facilitation to construction administration. After five years in Philadelphia, Nellie’s passion and background in ecosystem service-based planning and design brought them to Offshoots in Boston. Nellie is a Registered Landscape Architect in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

Jack Beresford
Landscape Architectural Designer | Landscape Installation Associate

Kit Ganshaw
Lead Gardener

Gretchen Exley-Smith
Installation Supervisor
Gretchen has almost twenty years in the green industry, ranging from interior plant maintenance to landscaping, garden maintenance/installation and ecological restoration. She holds certificates in MA Horticulture (MCH), National Green Infrastructure (NGICP) and Invasive Plant Management. Gretchen enjoys transforming outdoor spaces for clients through garden installations, bonus if she can provide native foraging habitat for birds and pollinators. She is an introvert willing to discuss plants, native bees, monarch butterflies, soil and stormwater.

Jason McDuffie
Gardener
Jason hails from Manning, South Carolina. Before joining Offshoots, Jason worked at Tree Tech for several years, where he more deeply discovered his love of plants and learning about the industry of Landscape Contracting. Jason enjoys working with his hands outdoors and getting to travel around the state of Massachusetts. His favorite plant is Spice Bush!

Liz Bender
Gardener
Liz came to the gardening and maintenance team at Offshoots by way of both an established background in farm to table culinary work and homeless advocacy. A life-long lover and cultivator of gardens, she realized she would rather be outside growing food rather than inside cooking it and pursued a path of community agriculture. She has been contracted to build several crisis-and-hunger-relief community gardens around the country. Liz has a passion for hunger relief, edible environments, and food sovereignty activism. She is excited to bring her skill sets to the team at Offshoots.

Robert Peters
Gardener
A spatial thinking and artist, Robert completed MassArt’s architectural design program with an exceptional portfolio of 3D sculptures, projects, and drawings. He is also a licensed barber. Once introduced to plants and gardens, Robert combined those skills, learning the finer points of pruning and taking classes in Landscape Architecture. This past winter, Robert successfully studied Organic Landcare, gaining a full certification.

Matt Salvage
Gardener
Matt Salvage is born and raised in western Mass and started with the installation-build team in the spring. While he is new to the industry, he has a few years of related experience in agriculture and tree service work. He enjoys being outside in nature, working as part of a team to see a project through from start to finish. Matt has a passion for sustainability and mycology. In his free time he enjoys hiking and looking for wild mushrooms. Matt is in the process of becoming a certified landscape professional (MCLP). His favorite tree is the Dawn Redwood.

Rhys
Receptionist
Merlin joined Offshoots in 2011 from a shelter in Malden, MA to pursue a career managing day-to-day activities including watching the door, amusing office visitors, and chasing balls. He is a gifted listener, avid hole-digger, and has recently earned a certificate in frisbee catching. He holds a B.S. in Herding, and is pursuing a master’s degree in eating grass.

Sam
Materials Librarian