Architectette

Replay! On today's episode of Architectette we welcome three female founders of the Philadelphia firm, FIFTEEN Architecture and Design!  We chat with Ximena Valle, AIA, LEED AP; Mary Beth Di Figlia, RA; and Jill Lavine, AIA, LEED AP about founding the firm, manifesting their dreams, connecting their diverse backgrounds in architecture, design, construction, and archaeology; and how the act as...

Shelly-Anne "Tulia" Scott is an award-winning architect at HOK, leader, and community advocate with over 20 years of experience spanning architecture, interior design, and urban storytelling.  She currently serves on the AIA Strategic Council as the Georgia Representative and is the Past President of the Atlanta chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMAtlanta). He...

Replay! This week on Architectette, we’re spotlighting the voices of recent graduates from architecture programs across the globe. We asked all of our guests the same questions to gain insight into their unique experiences as they transition from academia to professional practice. From how the pandemic shaped their academic experience to the movie that best describes their studio life, we dive dee...

Erike De Veyra, Assoc. AIA, SEED, is a designer, seasoned project manager, and the founder of Design Gym. Her career spans architecture, public programming, and design education; bringing together creative practice with a strong focus on community impact. She recently earned a Master of Science in Design Thinking and Entrepreneurship, further shaping her interdisciplinary approach to design and le...

Replay! On today’s episode of Architectette we share a conversation with Jill Bergman, FAIA, FACHA. Jill is a Senior Health Strategist at HDR, based in San Francisco, California. She has focused on healthcare facility design for her entire career, mostly working on large projects and medical planning.  We talk about:  - The power of focusing her career on one specific project type and how her afte...

Cari White is currently an Outsourced Controller with BlueStone Accounting Solutions. She has almost two decades worth of experience in the accounting industry where she has built meaningful relationships with her clients and colleagues. She prides herself on presenting financial information in an easily digestible format.  When not working, Cari is spending time with her family; watching the Rave...

Replay! On today’s episode of Architectette we are branching out from the AEC industry to welcome our friend Tigress Osborn! Tigress is the Board Chair of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. NAAFA is a non-profit, volunteer, fat rights organization dedicated to protecting the rights and improving the quality of life for fat people.  We talk about: - Tigress’ leadership at NAAFA and...

Alicia Ponce, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, is the Founder and Design Principal of APMonarch, an award-winning Chicago based architecture firm celebrated for its leadership in sustainable design and adaptive reuse architecture. Guided by her ethos of “Lift as you Climb,” Alicia is the founder of Arquitina, a national nonprofit with a mission to go above and beyond the 1% of licensed Latina architects...

Replay! On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome a dynamic duo! Aya Shlachter and Jing Lauengco are two outstanding women who connected over their mutual tenacity for entrepreneurship, design, and storytelling. Both women are business owners, entrepreneurs, and podcasters.  Aya Shlachter is the CEO and founder of MGS Global Group, a company that accelerates growth for architecture and design...

Meghan Webster is the Co-Managing Director of Gensler Chicago, where she is driven by her lifelong passion for shaping human experiences. For the past 15 years, she has guided business strategy, built client engagement, and deepened her expertise in education, health, sciences, and civic markets at the firm. Currently, she is a Global Health Sector Leader, supporting the practice area’s focus on i...

Replay! On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Alexandra Chaves. Alexandra is a project manager at Restructure Studio in Austin TX, a mom, an Austin Women in Architecture (WiA) member, as well as the founder of the WiA 'Profiles' Subcommittee. We talk about: - Starting her education in Venezuela, finishing a graduate degree in the United States, and starting a career in New York Ci...

Jo Haas and Cynthia Torp join us to discuss their collaboration on The Dot Experience, the American Printing House for the Blind’s (APH) reimagined museum set to open in Louisville in October 2026. Designed around an unprecedented commitment to inclusive design, The Dot Experience aims to set a new global standard for accessibility in museums. Named in homage to the six-dot system of Braille, The...

Replay! On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Thuy Fontelera, P.E., S.E., LEED AP. Thuy is the founding principal of woman and minority-owned Element Structural Engineers. Their impressive work spans commercial and residential sectors, but what makes this company unlike any of their competitors is Thuy’s commitment to transforming what leadership and workplace culture looks like in the AE...

Stephanie Leedom is CannonDesign’s Executive Director for the Great Lakes Region. In this role, she provides strategic leadership across offices in Chicago, Buffalo, Toronto, Pittsburgh, and the firm’s newest office in Minneapolis. For 20 years, Stephanie worked in public service; serving with the Peace Corps in Honduras and working as an Architect at the General Services Administration; Architect...

Replay! On today’s Architectette podcast we welcome planner Martha Cross, the Deputy Director of the City of Philadelphia’s Division of Planning and Zoning. Martha started her education in architecture school, but then pursued a career in planning, development, and non-profit work. Her experience and her path are truly inspiring. We talk about: - Martha’s realization, during architecture school, t...

Barbara Van Biervliet is an architect and engineer from Knokke, Belgium, and the co-owner of the boutique architecture studio Claerhout–Van Biervliet (CVB) which she runs with her partner in life and work, Xaveer Claerhout. The pair also have three children: Jacob, Adriaan, and Johanna.  At CVB, the team creates sculptural, organic architecture and bespoke interiors for high-end residential, hospi...

Taruna Gupta is a Senior Associate at HGA Milwaukee where she works on projects that champion holistic design, equity, and sustainability. She is President of Wisco NOMA and is a board member of Women in Design Milwaukee. Taruna is also Co-Founder and President of Defining Humanity where she leads global initiatives such as 3D-printed schools and housing solutions that redefine architecture’s role...

On today’s episode we are chatting with Emily Alexander. Emily was raised in Boston and moved to DC to attend The George Washington University where she studied Civil and Structural Engineering. She completed internships with both engineering firms and general contractors and joined Turner Construction Company post-graduation.  Today she is a Development Manager at Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners,...

Nakita Reed is an award-winning architect with experience in the rehabilitation and sustainable reuse of historic buildings. She is an Associate Principal at Quinn Evans, a LEED-Accredited Professional, and a certified Passive House Consultant. She serves on the board of the Baltimore Architecture Foundation, the Zero Net Carbon Collaboration for Existing and Heritage Buildings (ZNCC), Built Build...

Erin Pellegrino is a strategist, designer, and registered architect. Through Matter, her design and fabrication studio, she transforms visionary concepts into extraordinary spaces, objects, and experiences. Erin is the co-founder of Out of Architecture, a career resource community and talent services agency, and co-author of ‘Out of Architecture: The Value of Architects Beyond Traditional Practice...

Bryce Batts is a dynamic business consultant, speaker, certified Career Coach, and Co-founder of Career Collective, bringing over 15 years of experience as a recruiter in the AEC industry. With a fierce commitment to empowering women, Bryce helps organizations overcome barriers to hiring by developing innovative talent acquisition strategies. Her expertise enables companies to attract and retain d...

BONUS EPISODE!!! In this compilation episode, our 2025 Architectette guests share where they draw inspiration. Hear from our guests in architecture, interior design, consulting, business development, urban planning, and more about where they seek their sparks of joy! >>> Connect with Architectette: - Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more) - Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

On this special *double feature* listen to our interview with Angela Mazzi, then head over to the Architecting Podcast to hear Angela interview Caitlin! Today's guest, Angela Mazzi is dedicated to enhancing quality of life through the built environment. Her research on salutogenesis, equity, and socio-cultural contexts illuminates how design impacts well-being and the ways the design process i...

Angie Scott, Ph. D., Allied IIDA, and Allied ASID, is a well-known expert regarding well-being and inclusive design in the built environment. She is the CEO, Principal Design Researcher, and Strategist at Culturwell. Through evidence-based design and strategy, her consultancy aims to improve retention, sense of belonging, and well-being in built environments by collaborating with innovative leader...

Today we’re chatting with Robin Raines. Robin brings over 30 years of architectural expertise to Rowhouse Architects, focusing on affordable housing, adaptive reuse, and historic preservation. Today she resides in Asheville, NC but is originally from Grundy, Virginia, Robin proudly calls herself “a coal miner’s daughter,” embracing her Appalachian roots. She discovered her passion for architecture...