B.A., University of California at Santa Barbara; M.A., California State University at Dominguez Hills

Professor McAvoy is the cofounder and principal of Historic Resources Group, a consultant firm that specializes in all aspects of historic preservation planning and development. Clients and projects include City of Los Angeles, Fox Studios, Catellus Construction, Shrine Auditorium, Gamble House, and Playa Vista. Prior to the founding of Historic Resources Group, Professor McAvoy was the principal owner of Johnson Heumann Research Associates and the sole proprietor of Johnson Research Associates. She is a former member of the Board of Advisors for the National Trust for Historic Preservation (now Advisor Emeritus), a founding member of the Hollywood Heritage, a member of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and recipient of their Women in Business Award in 1993, a member of the board of directors of the Los Angeles Conservancy and recipient of its Preservationist of the Year Award in 1994, and one of the directors of the National Center for Preservation Training and Technology. In 1998, she was awarded Honorary Membership by AIA/CC and was honored as Preservationist of the Year by the California Preservation Foundation.