November 2024

LJC Office Location: Overland, MO
Title/Role: Senior Project Manager/Associate Principal (Architecture – Entertainment)
School(s) you graduated from: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; BSAS 2001, March 2003
Professional affiliations: IAAPA, TEA, AZA, NCARB

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation? 
Trip to Barcelona – Bilboa before cell phones, so many things went awry but it was a lot of fun.

What’s your most niche, non-work-related interest?
Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, although not a great mechanic.

What’s a book you’d recommend to just about anyone? Why?
Love the Fur You’re In; It’s a good collection of simple reminders to be yourself, appreciate life and gives life advice with fun illustrations. It’s a quick read any day you need a little smile.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
An astronaut because I wanted to see the stars from outer space, but alas, I get motion sick in a car.

LJC Office Location: Los Angeles
Title/Role: Architectural Designer II
Focus: Industrial
School(s) you graduated from: Tecnologico de Monterrey

What is something about you that you think would surprise your co-workers? 
I rarely rewatch movies or series, but when it comes to music, I can listen to my favorite songs on repeat without getting tired of them.

What does a perfect weekend look like to you? 
My ideal weekend is a balanced mix of relaxation and socializing. I love spending time with my husband and friends, whether at a party or a casual gathering, while also cherishing moments with family. Exploring a new place or country for the first time would also make it unforgettable.

Name three songs that best describe you / are your favorites, and briefly explain why! 

2. "Wake Me Up" by Avicii – This song resonates with my dreamer mentality; I believe in working hard to achieve my goals.
3. "Hello World" by Belle Perez – A perfect pop anthem that captures my vibrant and upbeat personality.
4. "My Way" by Phil Collins – It reflects my desire to experience the world and learn from the diverse people I meet along the way.

LJC Office Location: Overland
Title/Role: Senior Associate / Project Designer
School(s) you graduated from: Washington University in St. Louis (MO,USA), Notre Dame University Louaizeh (Lebanon)
Professional affiliations: Intl. Assoc. AIA, LEED Green Associate, OEA

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation? 
In July 2023, my partner and I had an incredible trip to the Maldives. It was a beautiful experience; I learned scuba diving, spent hours snorkeling and exploring the vibrant sea life, and even enjoyed movies by the beach under the stars. The relaxing, scenic surroundings made it all more unforgettable!

What’s a book you’d recommend to just about anyone? Why? 
The Uses of Disorder by Richard Sennett is one of the books I read that opened my eyes to the “fear of otherness” and various urban disorders. At its core, it helps people to develop flexible, compassionate identities by fostering openness and reducing racism and conformity for a richer, more diverse human experience.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why? 
As a kid, I always wanted to be a designer, inspired by my dad, who is a landscape architect. I loved helping him color his beautiful plans and designs, which sparked my interest in creativity. I would build Lego houses, play The Sims on my computer to design virtual homes for hours, and create little dress designs for my dolls. Design was always my favorite way to play and imagine!

LJC Office Location: Chicago
Title/Role: Senior Associate, Project Architect/Project Manager
Focus: Architecture
School(s) you graduated from: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Professional affiliations: NOMA, AIA 

If you could travel to any time period/place, what would it be and why? 
If I could travel to any time period it would be the late 70s, I enjoy the style, the culture, the music and the cars. I grew up listening to a lot of stories from my parents and grandparents about the fun they had in that time period, the close connection with family, the dinners, the parties. I always pictured myself in that time period sporting an afro, 3-piece suite with bell bottoms, driving a drop top 1970s Cadillac DeVille. 

What movie can you watch repeatedly? What makes it so special? 
There's a couple I can think of, but the most recent repeat for me would be the movie Entergalactic. It's a millennial love story, the characters are relatable as well as the story. Graphically it's like a comic cartoon similar to Spider-Man Into the Spider-verse (also a repeat for me). The soundtrack like the graphics are amazing! It also stars and is directed by one of my favorite artists, Kid Cudi. 

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why? 
As a kid, prior to my discovery of architecture I had a dream and a plan to become a doctor. My childhood best friend and I planned out our whole practice. He loved animals and I love(d) to help people. The plan was to have our practices next door to one another, I'd help people heal and as a vet he'd heal the pets (not sure why we assumed they'd come in together). We were so set on the plan that our friends started calling us both Doc. Fast forward, I'm in architecture and he's in aviation.

LJC Office Location: St. Louis
Title/Role: Associate
Focus: Architecture
School(s) you graduated from: Master of Architecture, Southern Illinois University

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation? 
One of the most fun trips I have taken was my husband and I’s honeymoon to Switzerland. We visited the Top of Europe (the highest railway station in Europe) rode an adult big-wheel cart down a mountain, boat cruised on some of the bluest lakes I have ever seen, zip lined through the Swiss Apls and hiked beautiful scenery! Also, on this trip we visited Rome, Italy where it was amazing to experience the history and architecture.

What’s a book you’d recommend to just about anyone? Why?
I would recommend the book The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. This is a historical fiction that follows the lives of two sisters in France during WWII. I think this is a powerful, yet heartbreaking read of struggle, survival, sacrifice, and bravery. This was an incredibly impactful book that I still think about often.

What does a perfect weekend look like to you? 
A perfect weekend would start by heading to the lake on Saturday morning and spend the day floating in the water and boating around with friends, then end the day sunburnt and grabbing drinks / dinner while sitting on the deck of a local restaurant overlooking the water. Sunday sleep in and get some projects done around the house/yard, take a walk, and work in the garden.

LJC Office Location: Phoenix
Title/Role: Sustainability Project Manager 
Focus: Sustainability 
School(s) you graduated from: Arizona State University
Professional affiliations: LEED AP; FITWEL Ambassador

What is something about you that you think would surprise your co-workers? 
I’ve tried a few things outside of the usual. For example, I’ve completed a certificate course in rifle shooting, and I was a state gold medalist in fencing.

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation? 
One of the most fun trips I’ve ever had was a 15-day backpacking trip through Ladakh in India. It was such an amazing experience! We spent our days exploring different parts of the region—camping in some remote spots, hiking, and climbing to some incredible viewpoints. We also stayed with locals in a few areas, which gave me a chance to learn more about their way of life and try some delicious, authentic local food. It was an experience I’ll never forget!

What does a perfect weekend look like to you? 
A perfect weekend for me would be a good mix of getting outdoors and just relaxing. I’d start the day with a hike to enjoy some fresh air and nature. After that, I’d grab a meal with family or friends—nothing fancy, just good food and great company. The rest of the day would be all about unwinding together watching a movie, playing games, or just chatting over coffee. We usually like to explore new spots or try something different as well, whether it’s a new cafe or a hidden gem in the city - so maybe that in the evening. 

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life, professionally, so far? 
Being part of a group that works towards creating more sustainable solutions in architecture has been incredibly rewarding. It's fulfilling to know that my work is helping to make a positive impact on the environment and contribute to a better future.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?Architect – sustainability. As a kid, I always knew I wanted to be an architect. I remember my earliest childhood games where I’d create dollhouses out of cardboard boxes, complete with floors, ramps, windows, doors—everything. I’d even make several houses to create little communities. I was obsessed with the idea of building spaces that worked well together. As I got a little older, I didn’t have the word “sustainability” yet, but I used to tell people I wanted to design homes that made the most of the wind and sun—houses that would be fun to live in because of how they were designed. I’m really happy that I’ve ended up doing exactly what I always dreamed of: working in sustainable architecture. It feels great to be able to bring those childhood ideas to life!

LJC Office Location: Denver
Title/Role: Senior Associate / Project Architect
Focus: Interiors
School(s) you graduated from: Kansas State University
Professional affiliations: AIA, ULI, NCARB

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation?
A few years ago, my husband and I went canyoning in Switzerland which was an incredible experience. Rappelling down into the canyon and making our way out was something I will never forget.

What’s your most niche, non-work-related interest?
Skiing, I have been going since I was little and love to be on the mountain. There is nothing better than a powder bluebird day in the winter. This winter I am teaching my 3-year-old daughter how to ski for the first time. 

What does a perfect weekend look like to you?
An early family hike on Saturday morning followed by meeting up with friends at a local brewery. On Sunday’s I love to have a slow morning drinking coffee while my kids play and cooking in the afternoon.