Our Team

OUR TEAM

Cassie Zalewski

President

Cassie's Journey into the horticultural field started at a young age on her mother’s herb farm. This is where an appreciation for Mother Nature and a connection with the environment rooted her for life. As Cassie spent much of her youth getting her hands and feet dirty in the field she always held an association to the earth and learned the true value of a hard work ethic.


Cassie joined the Parklane team full time after graduating college in 2006. Starting on the Garden Care team then the Construction team, she gained years of “boots on the ground” experience. Before moving into the role of operations and project manager

Cassie acquired her D License and Crane operator license and spent several years with her office being the driver seat of the 7ton. This instilled in her the importance of, organized logistics, efficiency, and material quality control. Throughout those experiences, Cassie developed a true love for uncompromising quality work and creating meaningful relationships with clients, suppliers and staff. This lead the way to her role as General Manager.


In 2022, Cassie proudly carried Parklane into its 65th year. As a third generation company owner, she plans to work hard every day to make choosing Parklane Landscapes the best choice for any homeowner looking to improve their relationship with their outdoor space. Cassie also wants to nurture a company where passionate people can grow together and make a difference to how we all understand and appreciate what Mother Nature offers us.


Joanne Mohan

Sustainable Landscape Designer, Therapeutic Horticultural Practitioner, Green community Depave Co-0rdinator & Fusion Landscape Professional

Joanne joined Parklane in 2011 as a Landscape Designer. As she grew up in a family landscape construction and garden centre business in Ireland, she has an appreciation for the family business dynamic. Joanne completed a degree in Property Economics, Masters in Landscape Architecture and a certificate in Ecology in Ireland and has brought this knowledge and experience to Parklane.


Joanne worked in Ireland as a Landscape Designer and completed both residential and commercial clients and worked on the maintenance of an Integrated Constructed Wetland. Working as a designer, Joanne approaches all designs with an open mind considering the practical use of the space and  the clients requirements and budget. She considers the use of plants as an important aesthetic to a garden and encourages the use of native and naturalized planting schemes to ensure a balance with the ecology and environment of the garden.


Joanne is also a therapeutic horticultural practitioner. She understands the value of plants and gardens and how they can mentally, physically and socially benefit us all. Joanne encourages everyone to engage with plants, and acknowledges that even a small container with one or two plants can provide therapeutic value in our daily lives.

Ally Lauer

Sales Manager, Consultant & Marketing Coordinator 

Ally joined Parklane Landscapes in 2021 as a Sales Consultant. She quickly became our Sales Manager, Consultant and Marketing Coordinator. Since the age of 12, Ally has only worked in the customer service industry which inspired her to advance her knowledge, education and obtain her diploma within Sales and Marketing. 


With a passion for the outdoors, construction and landscape; Ally is not afraid to get her hands dirty and has even completed the build of her first home on her own.
As Parklanes Sales Manager and Consultant, Ally genuinely enjoys getting to know each client on a personal level, providing outstanding customer service and comfort throughout each landscape design and build process.


Bringing all landscape projects to life with her notepad and pen, Ally can't wait to visit your outdoor space and start connecting you with your natural environment. 

Anna van Maris

Past President - Certified Landscape Designer & Fusion Landscape Professional

Anna often says she grew up in a garden center. Between the ages of 4 and 15 Anna’s back yard was the Parklane Retail Garden Center on Finch Avenue, Toronto. She boasts that she was able to read blueprints by the time she was 8 years old and her super power is to draw the perfect inch.


Anna attempted to pursue a career in environmental studies attending University of Waterloo 1980-1981 but the lure of residential landscape proved to be too enticing for her.

More suited to healing the earth “one garden at a time” Anna refocused her education and graduated from Humber College Landscape Technology program in 1983.


Anna’s creative inspiration, like that of her father, is heavily influenced by Ontario’s northern beauty. Anna’s secret passion is to create the perfect outdoor classroom for classes in ecology, food security and herbal medicine.


Anna has sat on various Landscape Ontario Committees including Congress, magazine, promotion, bylaws and currently environmental stewardship. She has also been an active board member of the Brock Community Health Center. Anna is an herbalist and frequently donates her time to present to horticultural groups and schools.

Drew Wiseman

Foreperson

Drew joined the Parklane team in 2013 as a laborer with a background in construction jobs ranging from interior renovations and roofing to complete building of homes. With what started as an eagerness to take on tasks he had not yet experienced, and a want to work outdoors, Drew was promoted to Team Lead by his second season and then foreperson by his 5th year. He is huge part of the Parklane team and has been for an entire decade!


He offers a certification as a Horticultural Technician, masonry experience, sense of leadership, construction knowledge and a get it done attitude. Drew prides himself in providing clients with both functional and aesthetically pleasing landscapes and is committed to creating harmony between outdoor living spaces and the surrounding environment.


ANTHONY VELTKAMP

Ongoing Garden Care Manager

Bringing more than a decade of experience in landscape maintenance restoration as a Horticultural Technician, Anthony happily discovered and joined the Parklane team in 2019.
Spending much of his youth on his family's small hobby farm in Huntsville Ontario,

Anthony developed a deep appreciation for the natural environment, where he then pursued a degree in Plant Biotechnology from the University of Guelph. With him, Anthony brings a growth mindset, compassion, integrity and a desire to promote environmental quality, aiming to conserve, protect and create a more sustainable environment.


As Parklane's Ongoing Garden Care Manager, Anthony takes pride in providing the best practices in ensuring the health of gardens and the environment. With his love and passion for plants, as well as being driven by environmental stewardship, Anthony is dedicated to working with you as your garden grows through the season and evolves over the years. As well as sharing an abundance of common values with Parklane Landscapes, Anthony strives to be the best version of himself everyday and is humbled by the love he has found within the Parklane family.

LAURA INGLIS

Truck driver/Crane Operator

Laura has been our truck driver and crane operator since 2021. Before joining Parklane, Laura was a security operations supervisor for a mining company and also a first responder. Prior to that, she ran the contracts for all the landfill sites in Sudbury, Ontario.


Laura came to Parklane as she wanted to change her career and working outside was intriguing. Although she came with no landscaping experience, Laura brought a positive attitude and an eagerness to learn. She prides herself on bringing great vibes and encouragement to the team. Laura is always keen to help out on site or with any jobs required. She maintains our yard, keeping plants and materials organized and ready for each project.


Laura has worked many jobs and working with Parklane is the first time she has ever felt heard, respected and equal. If she had to relive her days, she would choose Parklane as they are truly her family. Laura really enjoys her job, meeting people and feels the best part of work is that "it doesn't feel like work".

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