McKahl Johnston is a designer working in our Land Planning department here at FOCUS. Her spark for this career started at home. Growing up with a father who worked as a developer, McKahl was always fascinated by the work he did. That curiosity turned into a clear direction during junior year of high school. There, an internship at his company introduced McKahl to landscape architecture. “I realized it was the perfect fit. It let me explore my creativity through drawing, while still keeping me engaged in the development world and immersed in the design process,” she explains.

That balance between creativity and technical problem-solving is what continues to drive McKahl today. One of the most meaningful aspects of her role is helping others bring ideas to life. She enjoys taking visions that might not exist on paper yet and shaping them into something real. Outside of work, McKahl is rarely sitting still. She enjoys mountain biking, staying active at the gym, and coaching 10U and 12U softball. Coaching, in particular, has been a rewarding outlet not only as a way to give back to the community but also as an opportunity. Through it, she develops leadership skills, mentors young athletes, and fosters teamwork both on and off the field.

Lessons and Inspiration

Throughout school and into her career, mentors have played a key role in shaping McKahl’s outlook. “Many of my mentors helped me realize the importance of loving what you do and seeing the value in it,” she reflects.

That perspective has been especially valuable when tackling challenges. One of the biggest so far has been learning to balance the needs of both the city and the client. “Figuring out how to keep the city satisfied while still meeting the client’s vision has been a real learning experience,” she says. It’s a challenge that has strengthened her ability to communicate, adapt, and find solutions that work for all sides.

Building Toward the Future

When asked what advice she’d give to her past self, McKahl doesn’t hesitate: “Learn everything you can and take in as much information as possible. You won’t be perfect, you’ll make mistakes, but each mistake is a learning experience.”

Looking forward, she’s inspired by projects like New York City’s High Line. “It amazed me how a once run-down train track was transformed into a linear park. It’s such a beautifully executed idea and a unique, enjoyable way to move through the city compared to walking along the street.”

At FOCUS, the most valuable lesson so far has been the importance of collaboration. Balancing client needs, city expectations, and the design team’s vision isn’t always easy, but it’s essential. “My best projects often come from collaboration and finding common ground, creating the best results.” McKahl shares. With her passion for design, commitment to collaboration, and drive to keep learning, McKahl continues to shape spaces that bring both vision and community to life.