CV

Annelise Kouns-Warburton
Founder

SOI Qualified Architectural History, NPS

Technical Skills

Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
AutoCAD, SketchUp
Google Earth
ArcGIS (basic)
Microsoft Office Suite

Languages

English, Mother Tongue
Spanish, Advanced
Jamaican Patois, Advanced
Italian, Intermediate
French, Basic
Dutch, Basic

Annelise Kouns-Warburton is a historic researcher and preservation consultant specializing in Caribbean, Atlantic World, and diaspora histories. Raised between the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida within a multi-generation Puerto Rican–Virgin Islander family, she developed a lifelong passion for architecture, heritage, and the stories embedded in place and family.

Annelise combines expertise in archival research, historic context documentation, genealogical research, and culturally informed preservation advisory. She has worked across public and private sectors, including federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and independent practice, providing research and guidance that bridges scholarship and applied preservation.

Her work helps architects, property owners, and communities understand and honor the histories of buildings, sites, and families, ensuring restoration and adaptive reuse are informed by cultural integrity and historical accuracy. By integrating research with collaboration among skilled trades and design professionals, she delivers solutions that respect both the story and physical fabric of heritage spaces.

Annelise continues to advance Caribbean and diaspora heritage preservation while supporting projects internationally, providing clients with historically grounded insights and actionable guidance for preserving culture and legacy.

Professional Experience

Founder & Historic Preservation Consultant

Heritage Matters — Lady Lake, Florida, USA
2016–Present

  • Founded and lead an independent preservation consulting practice focused on Caribbean and diaspora histories
  • Conduct architectural history and archival research for historic buildings, sites, and cultural landscapes
  • Prepare historic context documentation, building histories, and research reports for preservation planning and interpretation
  • Conduct genealogical and family history research grounded in primary archival sources
  • Provide research-based advisory support for preservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse projects
  • Collaborate with architects, nonprofits, property owners, and skilled trades to support historically informed work

Historic Preservation Specialist

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Region IV, Branch III — Orlando, Florida, USA
2017

  • Conducted architectural and historical research to support federally funded disaster recovery and mitigation projects
  • Prepared documentation in compliance with Section 106 and related preservation review standards
  • Coordinated with interdisciplinary teams including planners, architects, engineers, and state historic preservation offices
  • Synthesized complex archival findings into clear reports for decision-makers and stakeholders

National Register of Historic Places Intern

National Park Service — Washington, D.C., USA
2015

  • Conducted archival and architectural research supporting National Register nominations
  • Assisted with evaluation of historic significance and integrity
  • Prepared research summaries and documentation for review by preservation professionals

Contract Architect

The Dvergsten Company Inc. — St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
2012–2013

  • Supported architectural design and research documentation for historic residential and commercial projects
  • Assisted with site analysis and preparation of construction drawings for historic buildings
  • Worked within the environmental, historical, and regulatory context of the U.S. Virgin Islands

Design Volunteer

My Brother’s Workshop — St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
2012–2013

  • Provided architectural and design support for a nonprofit vocational training program serving local youth
  • Assisted with community project development, emphasizing community benefit and skill-building

Production Coordinator

Fab — New York, New York, USA
2011–2012

  • Coordinated production workflows and supported design and fabrication processes
  • Managed schedules, documentation, and cross-team communication

Community Health Advisor

U.S. Peace Corps — Seaford Town, Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica
2009–2011

  • Lived and worked in a rural Jamaican community, supporting public health initiatives in 2 local health clinics
  • Developed and implemented community-based education programs in 3 primary schools
  • Built strong cross-cultural communication and community engagement skills

Architectural Intern

Allard Architecture — Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2008

  • Supported architectural design and documentation for international projects
  • Gained experience working within a European professional context

Heritage Construction Volunteer

Association pour la Participation et l’Action Régionale (APARE) — Caromb, France
2003

  • Participated in hands-on heritage construction and restoration work
  • Gained early exposure to traditional building methods and preservation philosophy

Education

Master of Arts in Historic Preservation
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Savannah, Georgia, USA — 2014

  • Concentration in preservation issues affecting the Caribbean region
  • Focus areas included heritage tourism, barriers to preservation, and culturally appropriate preservation strategies
  • Research emphasis on Jamaica, Nevis, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Certificate in Grant Writing & Nonprofit Management
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA — 2016

Bachelor of Arts in Architecture
Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA — 2007

  • Certificate in History and Theory of Architecture
  • Study Abroad: Facoltà di Architettura di Genova, Genoa, Italy (Fall 2006)
  • Co‑Founder, CASIS (Critical Awareness of Social Inequalities in Society)
  • Member, FIU Solar Decathlon Team (U.S. Department of Energy sponsored)

Professional Affiliations

Tau Sigma Delta, Honor Society in Architecture and Allied Arts

Sigma Pi Kappa, Honor Society for Historic Preservation

St. Thomas Historical Trust, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

St. Croix Landmarks Society, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Association of Caribbean Historians
National Trust for Historic Preservation