May 2024

LJC Office Location: Kansas City
Title/Role: Associate Principal, Kansas City Office Director
Focus: Architecture
Alma Mater: Kansas State University
Professional Organizations: AIA, LEED BD+C, HopeBUILDERS, Ronald McDonald House Charities

What is something about you that you think would surprise your coworkers?
I’ve run a race (half or full) in 21 / 50 states.

What is the most fun you've had on a trip or vacation?
The 14 month travel sabbatical I took with my husband

What's a book you'd recommend to just about anyone?
The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter. It makes you look at your every day a little different.

What does a perfect weekend look like to you?
Being outside, exploring new places and ideally ending the day at a brewery.

LJC Office Location: Chicago
Title/Role: Interior Designer
Focus: Interiors
Alma Mater: University of Connecticut, Pratt Institute
Professional Organizations: IIDA

What is something about you that you think would surprise your coworkers?
I was a professional cheerleading instructor with The National Cheerleaders Association and the cheerleading coach at UConn before going to grad school for Interior Design.

What is the last TV show you binged and enjoyed?
The Netflix reality show Glow Up. It is freeing and creative and a celebration of self-expression.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life, professionally, so far?
Passing the NCIDQ Exams!

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life, NOT professionally, so far?
Making my first home purchase this year!

LJC Office Location: Overland
Title/Role: Landscape Designer
Focus: Landscape and Planning
Alma Mater: Auburn University
Professional Organizations: ASLA

What is something about you that you think would surprise your coworkers?
I do kickboxing.

If you could speak another language, what would it be and why?
I speak Chinese, I was born and raised in China.

What is the most fun you've had on a trip or vacation?
I did a 13 mile hike in The Narrows at Zion National Park in the water!

If you could travel to any time period/place, what would it be and why?
I would go back to Alaska in the winter to watch the aurora lights.

LJC Office Location: Phoenix
Title/Role: Associate Principal / Project Manager
Focus: Architecture
Alma Mater: Arizona State University
Professional Organizations: Phoenix Community Alliance

If you could speak another language, what would it be and why?
Spanish, because I would love to live in Spain for some time.

What is the most fun you've had on a trip or vacation?
I’ve had the privilege to travel around the world from Europe to Vietnam to Peru and Costa Rica. In Vietnam, my wife and hiked through the jungle to the third largest cave in the world, where we spent the night before hiking back out. In Peru we visited Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world. In Costa Rica we zip lined through the rainforest and over a huge valley. But my favorite trip has to be my most recent trip to Paris and London which my wife and I went to with our 10-month old daughter. Even though we didn’t have any adrenaline rush moments, the experience of spending time with our daughter and watching her take in all the sights and sounds of these bustling cities was more enjoyable and rewarding than any of our past trips.

What is your most niche, non-work related interest?
Outside of work I like to spend my time drawing. As a kid I always loved to draw and, as I got older, I thought architecture would be a great way to combine my passion for drawing with a passion for building. Unfortunately, I was born a few decades too late and now so much of our work is done on the computer, I feel like drawing has become a lost art. So, to free myself of the undo command and all that goes along with the digital era, I practice the fine art medium of pen and ink drawings on REAL, ACTUAL paper. I particularly love pen and ink because every line you place is permanent and you are forced to not only accept your mistakes, but to appreciate them as part of the process.

What non-AEC related subject are you an expert on? How did you become one?
Okay, so maybe not an expert, but I am a huge science lover, particularly when it comes to astronomy and cosmology. I’ve watched (and own) all of the History Channel’s The Universe DVDs and love to read about these subjects and physics. I’m fascinated by the vastness of the universe and all that we have yet to learn about our place within it. While I don’t necessarily think we’ve been contacted/visited by aliens, I’m absolutely sure that there’s hundreds of thousands of alien civilizations out there and I can only imagine how unique they, and their worlds, are.

LJC Office Location: Overland
Title/Role: Interior Designer
Focus: Interiors
Alma Mater: Ranken Technical College

What is something about you that you think would surprise your coworkers?
I think my coworkers would be surprised if they found out that I am a model outside of work. For almost two years I have modeled for different local designers and organizations.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life, NOT professionally, so far?
I am most proud of finishing school with honors while also raising my son.

What was your first job and what is most memorable about it?
My first job was at Jimmy Johns in the Delmar loop. It was memorable because I became a manager within three months of working there. Also, I was able to make connections in the design industry because I delivered to different architecture firms in Downtown Clayton.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
As a kid I thought I was going to be a pediatrician. I loved helping kids growing up and I knew I could do that with that job. Later on in life I realized I can't be a pediatrician if I don’t even like being in hospitals unless I need to. 

Office: Overland
Title/Role: Digital Marketing Manager
Focus Area: Marketing
School(s) you graduated from: Lindenwood University

What is something about you that you think would surprise your coworkers?
I played Division II Field Hockey and was an NCAA All-American Goalie. I also grew up playing ice hockey with Clayco colleague, Keiko DeClerck in California where we grew up! In college, I interned with the St. Louis Blues and got to experience them winning the Stanley Cup!

What's the most fun you've had on a trip or vacation?
Barcelona! It is my favorite city thus far. The architecture, the food, the people, everything!! I love to travel and plan to go to New Zealand this Christmas.

What does a perfect weekend look like to you?
My perfect weekend is usually involving travel somewhere or out spending time with my closest friends and my golden doodle, Dude. I love to cook and enjoy working out on the weekends.

What was your first job and what was most memorable about it? Hah! My dad has owned restaurants my whole lifetime and so I was naturally raised to be put to work at a young age (paid with dessert..DUH). So I would consider that my FIRST job. I have so many fond memories with my younger brother in the back of the kitchen learning how to make certain dishes, cleaning tables, all the above. (If you haven't watched The Bear on Hulu, it gives me flashbacks of my dad's restaurant as a child).