Where were you born and raised, and what was your career experience before joining AIA Illinois?
I was born and raised in Quincy and went to Quincy University. I worked in retail management and sales, then I worked for an association management company running five to seven associations on a daily basis.
What made you want to be a part of the AIA Illinois team?
When I was in high school I wanted to be an architect, but once I started taking some of the math classes it just didn’t work out for me. So when I had the opportunity to join the AIA Illinois team, it was great. I got to work with architects, and see their creative thought processes that they use when they are designing communities and buildings. It’s something I really admire.
What is your favorite part of the AIA Illinois job?
I like meeting with the members, who are the reason that our association exists.
Why is the AIA important today, not only to architects but to other professions and the public?
Because of the way that we are able to support the architects in what they do, which is building a stronger community. We can have a hand in that, even though we are not actually architects. I enjoy being able to help support such meaningful change.
Are architects in a unique position to help address some of society’s biggest challenges?
Absolutely. Their education and the skills that they have to design and enhance the built environment is just amazing. They help create functional spaces and foster sustainability, whether it be energy conservation or promoting healthier, more sustainable communities. These are big ways they can make a change in the world.
What do you wish the public knew about architects that they probably don’t realize?
I want them to realize how much good an
architect can do for a project, such as a school, office building, home or many other projects in the community. What architects can do for a project and the community is immeasurable – the way they can influence the project, how good they can make the project when they are consulted and used, as opposed to when an architect isn’t used. If people would take the chance to talk to an architect, they would realize that they could use their services more often.
What have you experienced as a member of the AIA Disaster Assistance Committee?
That has been one of the most moving experiences for me, to go from sitting at a desk helping architects to actually going out into the field with architects to be the boots on the ground and helping a community that has just experienced a terrible disaster. (The Disaster Assistance Committee) helps the residents get back to a normal life, inspecting buildings and allowing them to maybe go back in and collect their personal belongings. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s telling them they can’t go into those buildings again – it’s too dangerous – so we are basically taking away their home, and that’s the part that really hurts. But it’s an amazing experience to be there and try to help people.
How has being a Certified Association
Executive helped to advance your career, and do you recommend that path for others?
The Certified Association Executive designation has really helped me see a wider range of ways to run an association. It opens up the doors to work with and talk to more groups, to talk through some different challenges and to collaborate. It is a networking and educational opportunity all in one. For me, it was a commitment to educating and improving myself in my association management career. It has provided opportunities to talk with like-minded association professionals and basically make our association better – a better way to represent architects. I would
absolutely recommend anyone that is working in association management pursue it.
What advice would you give to young people who are just entering the workforce?
You need to get out of your comfort zone sometimes. Go network, even if you’re shy or you think you’re not a person who likes networking. Networking is one of the biggest things that can help your career.
What may people be surprised to learn about you?
I enjoy doing service work for the community. To be able to work with the Disaster Assistance Committee, teaching lessons with the Certified Association Executive program and some Habitat for Humanity houses that we’ve done as a staff have been very meaningful to me. I absolutely love working in the community.
This article appears in January SBJ 2024.