top of page
Our Team
Owner, Creative Director
MARY PAT BROWN
Welcome. I was born in Nova Scotia, grew up outside Washington D.C., and moved out West directly upon graduating from the University of Virginia in 2000 with a degree in Sociology. I worked in the mental health field for several years, during which time I met my now adult adoptive daughter. Once I moved to the mountains, I became a full-time ski instructor and found landscaping a natural complement to my seasonal life. I became fascinated with the medicinal, functional and artistic value of plants and studied under several master gardeners, learning all I could about high altitude gardening. As I learned, I slowly started taking on projects myself, building the skills that allowed me to establish Great Fortune Design. We have since become a vehicle for exceptionally hard working and talented people to create truly awesome plant art.
Field Manager
SAM LINCOLN
I was raised in Maine and spent most of the first few decades on the East Coast. I went to Oberlin College in Ohio studying Psychology and upon graduation felt due for an urban experience. I moved to New York and began shuffling obediently down a career path. The joy of these years was inspired by the city and by my own precious youth - never for a moment did my work inspire me.
I have always kept houseplants, finding they enhanced the energy of the spaces they inhabited, as well as my own sense of well being. When I came to Colorado, I started volunteering to pull weeds in Washington Park and fell quite organically into the magical world of plants. I marveled at how time disappears in the moment and yet also feels well spent at the day's end. This was a long way from basement labs and research papers- now I'm covered in dirt and completely at peace.
I am so grateful to have found a home at Great Fortune; a team that channels my enthusiasm and supports me as I learn. I feel a new sure footedness and a confidence that more will be revealed along the way.
Training Supervisor
Tori Luera
I moved to Colorado from Oklahoma over a decade ago to pursue my love of nature. My first job here was at an organic food store and that has greatly influenced my affinity with natural health. I have been gardening most of my life and am self taught. Mostly I have grown vegetables and herbs, but ornamental gardening is my most recent interest and I am in my second year with the company.
Gardener
Leah Bartlett
I was born an Army brat in North Carolina and grew up in the Southwestern part of the country. I served three years in the Army after high school with a deployment to Afghanistan in 2011-2012. After the military, I attended Marshall University and received my BFA in visual arts and history in 2018. Took a detour after graduating and spent seven months working as an organic farmer intern at the Rodale Institute in Pennsylvania where I was introduced to plants. I enjoy the hands on work plants require and find the work peaceful. I moved to Colorado a year ago to pursue artistic opportunities and I'm enjoying learning about desert plants and cultivation.
Gardener
Nikki Michaels
I have been gardening and living organically since 1997. Since then, I've moved all around the country learning the nuances in a range of environmental ecosystems, popping seeds and tending gardens in Olympia, WA, Garberville, CA, Mt. Aukum, CA, Chicago, IL, Seattle, WA, Scottsdale, AZ and now, Thornton, CO; where I currently reside with my German Rottweiler.
I started studying plant medicine, wildcrafting and was introduced to permaculture and biodynamic agriculture while at Heartwood Institute. I formally began studying horticulture at Triton College and went on to graduate from Bastyr University with a BS in Herbal Sciences. I love researching and discovering how modern science backs up thousands of years of traditional wisdom. I am eager to bring a passion for plants, sustainable gardening practices and support abundant, pollinator-friendly, thriving landscapes for all Great Fortune Design clients.
Logistical Consultant
David Brown
I grew up on a farm outside Seattle, WA where I developed many skills for designing and building landscape features. I have always loved the outdoors. I started landscaping as my non-winter job while living in Telluride, CO and living for winter. After Mary Pat moved to Denver to marry me, she created Great Fortune Design. I finished my second degree in May 2018, with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from University of Colorado, Denver. I joined the GFD team from 2020-2024. I greatly enjoyed the challenges and diversity of work presented by owning a company, which include both the logistics of the business and in the field installation crew supervision and labor. Great Fortune Design is a beautiful combination of art and technical design. I am proud of our team. Beginning in 2025, I ended my full-time role with GFD to pursue the design, creation and use of adaptive sports equipment. I am happy to still offer the team my insights and skills as projects arise that require them.
bottom of page