Marie Kipen has played a vital role in the profession in Alberta throughout her career. She graduated with Honours in 1975 from the University of Toronto B.L.A. program and became a Member of the Alberta Association and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects in 1978.
She has held executive offices as AALA Treasurer from 1982-84 and as AALA President from 1984-85, during which time she also served on the CSLA Board of Governors. After her presidency, Marie spearheaded the AALA's efforts to gain registration with the Province of Alberta , a major undertaking that still continues today.
Since 1979, Marie has operated a private consulting practice, initially as Marie Kipen Landscape Architect Ltd., and since 1986 as Kipen Gibbs Landscape Architects Ltd. She has been responsible for a wide range of significant projects over the years.