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.

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.

Originally from Veracruz, Mexico, Arlette experienced a dynamic childhood living across various regions and cultures before finding a deep sense of community within the South Asian and Muslim cultural spheres. She holds a Bachelor's degree in History and Philosophy with a minor in Arabic Studies and is currently expanding her expertise through studies in Architectural Technology.
In her role, she provides essential support to the firm’s landscape department, collaborating closely with the founder and principal designer. Arlette’s expertise spans cross-disciplinary communication, detail-oriented planning, organizational strategy, and research support. Driven by a passion for turning imaginative concepts into reality, she finds immense fulfillment in helping guide complex projects from initial ideation to completion—creating peaceful, harmonious, and visually inspiring spaces for clients.
Her background seamlessly blends a humanities-focused foundation with extensive experience in Marketing & Communications and specialized certifications in DEIA, translation, event coordination, and workshop facilitation. This combination of academic insight, linguistic capability, and multicultural perspective equips her with a holistic approach to problem-solving. By thoughtfully balancing micro- and macro-level cultural dynamics, Arlette delivers tailored, high-impact support and strategic cohesion across every project.

Having grown up across the country before making Metro Detroit her home nearly thirty years ago, Daphne brings both deep operational experience and a steadfast, grounding presence to AguaFina. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Michigan State University, paired with double minors in Art History and Psychology alongside graduate coursework.
As Aquatics Administrator, Daphne operates with no-nonsense efficiency and sharp technical utility. Uniquely double-brained, she excels at translating between complex technical operations and artistic vision, ensuring administrative processes run seamlessly so the firm’s design work can shine. Her lifelong passion for art, architecture, and gardening directly informs her work, allowing her to understand the nuances of client needs and designer visions alike.
Daphne views AguaFina as a family that she deeply loves and protects. Driven by genuine care and an unwavering commitment to the team’s collective success, her warm, straightforward approach keeps operations organized, grounded, and moving forward together.

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.

Born in Detroit and raised across Warren and Sterling Heights, Kayla brings strong local roots and sharp technical precision to the AguaFina team. She holds a professional Bookkeeping Certification and boasts over a decade of administrative expertise alongside three years of dedicated financial management.
In her dual role as Bookkeeper and Aquatics Administrator, she manages the firm's business financials while providing essential operational support to the pond department. Kayla excels at multitasking and seamlessly transitioning between complex financial systems and fast-paced client needs with exceptional attention to detail and a calm focus under pressure. Her career is deeply driven by her children, whose inspiration pushed her to pursue work that balances meaningful complexity with everyday joy.
Kayla brings a distinct and powerful perspective to the studio through her unique neurodivergent wiring. Having mastered the balance between the predictability of structure and the dynamic energy of spontaneous challenges, she thrives where order meets motion. This natural ability to navigate both structure and chaos allows her to bring balance, clarity, and steady focus to every aspect of her work.

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.