July 2025

LJC Office: St. Louis
Title/Role: Associate - Industrial Studio
Focus: Architecture
School(s): M.Arch '25 Illinois Institute of Technology, B.S. Architectural Technology '20 Ranken Technical College

What is something about you that you think would surprise your co-workers?
I referee soccer up to D1 collegiate level and previously at the semi-professional level. My busiest year of it was during my undergraduate studies when I had over 500 games in one year before shifting focus to fewer, higher-level games in a season. I was also in a clip on the ESPN's Not Top Ten segment when a goalie got scored on from 60+ yards.

What was your first job, and what is most memorable about it?
Besides refereeing, my first job was doing production and packaging work at a fish factory in Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland, where I grew up. After my family moved to the U.S., I would spend summers in Iceland with my grandparents, working at the factory with my cousins. It was exciting to work with my childhood friends and spend time on the island, especially at my grandparents’ home with sheep and horses in the backyard.

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation?
My dad and I went to the Euros in France in 2016 and the World Cup in Russia in 2018 when Iceland qualified for the first time. The Euros were especially memorable. I remember watching Iceland tie against Ronaldo and Portugal in the first game, tie again their second game, then watching the third game on TV with friends which ended with a last-minute counterattack goal to advance. The commentary during that moment still makes me cry and is extremely funny even if you have no idea what is being said. Defeating England to advance to the quarterfinals was the cherry on top and unforgettable. Even crazier, one of the team's two coaches at the time was my dentist and coach growing up and he now is with the Ireland men's national team. He was also coach of Jamaica's national team when they played here in St. Louis.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life, NOT professionally, so far? 
I've done a few half-distance triathlons in Greece, Ecuador, St. George, and Benton Harbor. I also travelled alone with only my triathlon gear and camping gear to Juneau, Alaska in 2022 to what ended up being the only Ironman race ever held in Alaska. My campsite flooded the morning before the race and a lovely couple that I met at a diner and now call my Alaskan grandparents took me into their home, fed me, and dropped me off at the race the next morning. 700 other athletes and I crossed the finish line, then three hours later I was on the 1 am departure of the ferry to Washington state.

LJC Office: Chicago
Title/Role: Principal, Chicago Office Director
Focus: Interiors
School: Illinois State University & Harrington College of Design
Professional affiliation: IIDA 

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation?
Last fall I took a 10-day trip all around Scotland with 3 of my friends. We golfed, hiked, drank scotch whiskey, visited many castles, stayed at the most charming Inns/Bed & Breakfasts and just relaxed. Am now looking to retire in a Scottish farmhouse with some sheep and a highland cow or two.

What’s the last TV show you binged and enjoyed? What was so good about it?
If you have not watched Slow Horses on Apple TV - DO IT NOW! Dept. Q on Netflix is also good.

What’s a book you’d recommend to just about anyone? Why?
I love Ann Patchett and Barbara Kingsolver – specifically The Dutch House, Commonwealth, Demon Copperhead, The Poisonwood Bible and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I love books with strong character development, even better if over long period of time or multi-generational. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle does not follow that format as it is a biographical account of her living off local food chains only but will come in handy when I move to my Scottish farmette.

What was your first job, and what is most memorable about it?
I worked at Claire’s in high school and had to pierce people's ears – even babies! Why they thought a 16-year-old should be doing that job confounds me now but then it seemed perfectly normal. That’s the 90’s for ya! My first professional job was as a media buyer at an advertising agency – my client was the Liberty Medical Wilford Brimley diabetes commercials.

LJC Office: St. Louis
Title/Role: Principal
Focus: Architecture
School: Washington University in St. Louis, Hanyang University
Affiliations: AIA, NCARB, USGBC

What is something about you that you think would surprise your co-workers?
I completed my military service near the border of North Korea, stationed close to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). It was a time of intense responsibility and discipline, quite different from life in design or the office. We conducted surveillance in an environment that was always alert, always on edge. It’s an experience I rarely talk about in professional settings.

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation?
One of the most unforgettable and fun experiences I’ve had was a three-week road trip through Portugal and Spain. It was the perfect mix of spontaneity, culture, and scenery — every few days brought a new city, new food, and new places.

We started in Lisbon. From there, we meandered south through the Algarve’s coastal cliffs and hidden beaches before crossing into Spain and winding our way through Andalusia. Cities like Seville, Granada, and Córdoba were filled with unique history and architecture that felt almost surreal. The Alhambra was a particular highlight — it felt like stepping into another time. One of the best parts of the trip was the freedom of having a car — we could stop in villages for coffee or pull over at a random viewpoint and just hang out. The food was also a jewel in itself — pastéis de nata in Portugal, tapas in Spain, and fresh seafood in Barcelona.

What does a perfect weekend look like to you?
Sleeping in a little, followed by a slow breakfast (preferably bacon, hashbrowns, and good coffee), then either a walk in the park or a day at a local coffee shop. Evenings would be for grilling something new, watching sports game night with family, and zero Sunday scaries. Just enough activity to feel alive, but enough calm to reset.

Office: St. Louis 
Title/Role: Associate
Focus: Interiors
School: Maryville University
Affiliations: NCIDQ

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation?
My most recent, and most fun trip was to Maui this past April. Every inch of the island feels like you're living inside a postcard. From the perfect temperatures and turquoise blue water to the incredible local cuisine, there's really nothing negative in sight. Some of my highlights from the trip were snorkeling right from our resort and swimming alongside all kinds of marine life - especially the sea turtles and even seeing a monk seal on the shoreline. Driving the Road to Hana was another favorite. Even though it took my husband and I nearly 13 hours round trip, the self-guided tour made it totally worth it. The breathtaking views, historic facts along the way, and ending with a hike on the Pipiwai Trail inside Haleakalā National Park made it unforgettable.

What’s a book you’d recommend to just about anyone? Why? 
One of my favorite reads lately is The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest. I found this book very fascinating because it allowed me to reflect on my habits and thought patterns, motivating and encouraging me to approach everyday scenarios in a new light. The author breaks down how self-sabotage works and why we fall into it, all in a way that feels honest and relatable. It's about learning to see your biggest obstacles as opportunities for transformation. It's the kind of book that just sticks with you. 

What does a perfect weekend look like to you?
The perfect weekend through my eyes is one that keeps me moving, with little purposeful relaxation built in. The weather would be in the mid-70s with the sun shining- ideal for being outside. I'm an early bird, so I'd be up bright and early with a coffee in hand, walking my dog at the park. From there, something active and outdoorsy, like a scenic bike ride or a hike on a nearby trail. As the day winds down, the evening would be spent with family and friends at a local food truck garden, enjoying good food, cold drinks, and live music playing in the background. A laid-back atmosphere, lots of laughter, and just being present- that's my idea of a perfect weekend.