meet our designers
+ specialists

working languages: english, español, portugués, 普通话

“An environmentalist and landscape designer, with the soul of an adventurer, Toby is as comfortable in a Brazilian rainforest as he is in a formal Japanese garden”
-Style Magazine-
Integrating a deep passion for culture and travel with creativity as a designer and land artist, Toby has developed a design style that stands out. Though his work is varied, there is a consistent balance of organic and crafted elements that are deeply detailed.
Toby has an exceptional gift in connecting with others. Collaborating with creatives and craftspeople from around the world allows him to merge diverse aesthetic styles and ultimately infuse the personality of each of his clients into their gardens. There is an unmistakably natural and Asian influence to his work, yet his style is not dogmatic to any particular genre. This fluidity defines the very essence of his work.

April graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Ecosystems Biology and a minor in Botany. It was in a first semester botany class at EMU where her real love of plants began, despite having grown up in a family of farmers and gardeners. Beginning her career working with plants, she held various Green Industry jobs before growing into the role of Landscape Designer at Shades of Green Nursery. In 2015, April joined Aguafina as a Designer where she continues to expand the scope and style of her landscape work. She is often complimented by clients on her ability to listen and understand what the client wants.
Continuing education, reading, and touring gardens are ways April keeps on track with current trends. The great company culture at Aguafina allows April to balance work and life at home with her husband and three sons.
April is certified in Michigan as a Green Industry Professional and an ISA Certified Arborist.

Matt has a BS in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University and is our Aquatic Specialist and Shipping Coordinator. Prior to joining AguaFina, he worked for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Easy Pro, a leader in the aquatic industry and one of our key suppliers. An integral part of his job is overseeing the production and sales of the products we offer. Moreover, he has become a trusted source for our clients. The knowledge he spreads assists homeowners and other designers in learning to care for their ponds, fish, and fountains.
Basically, Matt is all about water, and on his time off he is an avid wakeboarder, kiteboarder and fisherman, although his greatest joy in life is spending time with his family in the great outdoors. Using his knowledge base, he is part of a team that creates incredible landscapes, gardens and water features and in this capacity he enjoys the ability to continue learning about biology, chemistry, and engineering.
Matt also is a board member of the Clinton Valley Trout Unlimited (CVTU) in Conservation committee and a member of the Clinton River Coldwater Conservation Partnership Steering Committee (CRCCP).

Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Carlos spent most of his life in the vibrant community of Southwest Detroit. A proud alumnus of Michigan State University, he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture.
Carlos's professional journey has taken him through diverse design projects, cultivating expertise in Garden Design, Digital Rendering, and Construction. His passion lies in translating concepts into tangible realities. From the inception of an idea to the final product, he finds joy in bringing visions to life.
Having traversed countries around the world, Carlos's global experiences have not only broadened his perspective but have also significantly influenced his way of thinking and generating ideas. This unique blend of cultural insights enriches his approach to design, infusing creativity and innovation into every project.

After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art, Monica obtained her Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture at Cornell University where she engaged deeply with theoretical frameworks of Japanese Zen Garden tradition.
Passionate about the merging of art, design, and nature, Monica seeks to use her varied creative skills in every project she encounters.

Every team needs a Steve. He’s our go-to guy that can engineer, fix, and resolve almost any issue in the field. His practical knowledge as well as his passionately dedicated personality make him absolutely invaluable.

With roughly 10 years at AguaFina, Pablo has honed his skills at stone setting and water features. Pablo has the rare ability to sense the importance of scale, negative space and balance in a garden setting. Among his other skill sets, and perhaps even more impressive, is his singing talent. Should you be fortunate to have Pablo on your site, don't hesitate to request una canción, but please don’t tell him where you heard this.

Karen Monteleone is the manager of the Accounting Department at AguaFina Gardens. She is a graduate of the University of New Orleans and Texas Woman’s University. She has worked in the landscape and remodeling industry for 25 years.
Outside of work, Karen enjoys working on her home in the Pontiac Historic District, decorating, gardening, restoring furniture, and cooking Cajun and Creole food from her home town of New Orleans.