December 2025

LJC Office: Chicago
Title/Role: Urban Designer, Associate
Focus: Planning and Landscape
School: University of Illinois
Affiliation: Waterfront Alliance, NYC

What is something about you that might surprise your co-workers?
Equestrian training at the National Defense Academy of India is probably the most unexpected chapter in my background. Learning show jumping in a military environment demanded discipline, balance, and split-second decisions, a surprising precursor to urban design, just with more horsepower.

What is a book you would recommend to just about anyone? Why
Maximum City by Suketu Mehtastays high on my recommendation list because it oscillates between Mumbai and New York, two of the most significant cities of the east and the west, using personal stories to examine migration, ambition, and cultural identity across some of the world’s most intense urban environments. 

What non-AEC subject are you an expert on? How did you become one?
Route design for long-distance adventure racing took shape through my work on Enduro 3, where early exposure to maps, GPS navigation, and elevation strategy served as a crash course in spatial thinking, long before planning became a career.

LJC Office: St Louis 
Title/Role: Interior Designer 1
Focus: Interiors
School: Maryville University
Affiliation: IIDA 

What is something about you that you think would surprise your co-workers?
Something that might surprise my co-workers is that I competed in a pageant when I was 20. I decided to do it purely to try something completely out of my comfort zone. It ended up being so much fun. I learned the ‘pageant walk,’ practiced public speaking, and met a lot of amazing people along the way. It was a memorable experience and taught me a lot about confidence and to trying new things. 

If you could speak another language, what would it be? Why?
Well, I have tried several times to learn it, but French! Since I was a little girl, I have wanted to speak this language. Mostly because I have loved Paris/France and wanted to visit and speak their language when I did. (Fast forward: went to Paris and didn't successfully learn the language). Maybe it will be my 2026 new year's goal! 

What was your first job, and what is most memorable about it?
This wasn’t my first job, but it was my first college internship and by far the one I’m most grateful for. I worked at a sewing workroom in St. Louis that created custom drapery and pillows for high-end residential homes. When I started, I had no experience sewing-either by hand or with a machine-but they patiently taught me everything from the ground up. Through this experience, I discovered a genuine passion for sewing that I never would have found otherwise. Because of this job, I’m planning to buy my first sewing machine over the holidays and start my first small project, with the goal of eventually making my own clothes.

LJC Office: Chicago 
Title/Role: Principal
Focus: Architecture/Aviation
School: University of New Haven
Affiliation: AAAE 

What is something about you that you think would surprise your co-workers?
I am a big fan of baseball, and visiting all 30 MLB stadiums is my bucket list. I have been to 28 stadiums. Two more stadiums to go and I hope I can get there in 2026. If I may, I highly recommend Fenway Park. Take the stadium tour. You will not only learn baseball history, but architecture and stadium history.

What’s your most niche, non-work-related interest? 
I took ceramic classes when I was in college and enjoyed it. I still like to throw some pots and cups occasionally. Downside is that you end up with lots of ceramics at home.

If you could travel to any time/place, what would it be and why?Hmm…there are a few I can think of: Battersea Park, London in 1999. My daughter Hanna, wife and I spent lots of time there that year and have great memories. May 24, 2019 – my son, Shawn, and his team won back-to-back conference championship games in high school baseball. The whole town (small Connecticut town) was there, and it was an exciting game.

What was your first job, and what is most memorable about it?
For my internship, I worked at a small design firm. One day, I ended up giving a ride to the boss’s wife who was 8-months pregnant. It was only a couple of miles to her house. It was the longest 2 miles. That was my first time driving with a pregnant woman. After 30+ years, Jim, former boss, and I still talk about this!

LJC Office: Chicago 
Title/Role: Executive Director
Focus: All things LJC 😊
School: University of Michigan and University of Illinois Chicago
Affiliations: AIA, NCARB, ULI, ACE Mentor

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation? 
Death Valley surprised me the most. I thought it was going to be just a hot salt flat – and it was so much more. The hiking there is absolutely amazing.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life, NOT professionally, so far?
Far and away my kids. They are the most important, most fun, and hardest accomplishment of my life.

What was your first job, and what is most memorable about it?
My first job that was not babysitting was as a hostess at Big Boy’s. I got to wear an amazing uniform that had a button-down shirt with a kitten bow that had little Big Boys printed all over it. I had to quit and go work for the rival diner across the street when they did not promote me to waitress.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
I wanted to be a marine biologist. I love the ocean, and love being beneath the water – seeing the world down there.

LJC Office: Los Angeles
Title/Role: Associated Principal – Project Manager | Senior Project Architect
Focus: Architecture
School: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Affiliation: AIA

What is something about you that you think would surprise your co-workers?
What draws me in is fishing. Whether I’m backpacking into the High Sierras or heading out to deep water on a panga or charter, it’s a good day. I enjoy the patience of it, the time outdoors, and the simplicity—sometimes releasing the catch, other times enjoying the freshest meal the day can offer.

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation? 
Eating my way through Tokyo, Singapore, and Bali. From ramen counters and bars in Tokyo, to Hainanese chicken, chili crab, and mutton chops at Singapore’s hawker stalls, to durian donuts and babi guling in Bali—food so good and so memorable that even food poisoning from airport iced coffee couldn’t dampen the culinary trip of the decade. All of it guided by the recommendations of the late, great Anthony Bourdain. 

What’s the last TV show you binged and enjoyed? What was so good about it?
It would have to be Landman, Slow Horses, The Pitt, and The Bear. The first two for their dry, quick-witted, cutting humor; the latter for their focus on people who share a deep commitment to their craft while maintaining a strong humanitarian sensibility—competent, passionate professionals who never lose sight of the human impact of what they do. And, of course, Demi Moore’s luncheon speech is priceless.