Her Story
About Amy
I've been in architecture for 20 years now. Upon graduation from Drury University, I moved to Dallas and started with a small firm for about a year and a half before joining my current firm, where I've spent the last 19 years. I've really grown up in this firm, starting out as an intern and working my way through technical architecture and project management to where I am today as a principal in charge. The leadership here has allowed me to explore different aspects of the architectural world - I've done not only project work but also operations work for the office. About 15 years ago, I started focusing primarily on higher education projects because I found the projects and clients absolutely fascinating, and it also allowed my husband, who works at the same firm and focuses on K-12, and me to work on different projects. In my current role, I work closely with my clients on business development, manage project teams, touch base with staff, do research, and handle everything from financial progress discussions to making hiring decisions. Every day is unique and different, from putting out fires for contractors to ensuring everything stays on schedule and on task.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to not being afraid to ask questions or ask for more opportunities. Throughout my career, I've learned that you can't just expect things to come to you - you have to actively seek them out. Having the right mentors who support and push me has been key to my success. I've been fortunate to have leadership who believes in me, mentors me, lifts me up, and really pushes me outside my comfort zone sometimes. The AIA Dallas Emerging Leaders program also gave me the tools as a leader to be able to communicate better, resolve conflict, and just be a better leader overall.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Try out all the things. This doesn't mean you have to switch firms every two years but rather ask for the opportunities, speak up, and connect with your mentor. If you don't have a mentor, that's step one - get a mentor. Then find your passion, not only in your career but also in life, and those two things will help get you through the ups and downs. Don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for more opportunities. You can't just expect things to come to you - you have to actively seek them out.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The opportunities to change people's lives through the built environment is unique to the qualifications of an architect. There is a real opportunity to provide inclusive design, especially in higher education, to attract and retain students, to provide environments where the student feels supported. The challenges really come down to pushing design outside of what people expect from past experiences. If we keep doing the same designs, the same things, we're never going to create truly life changing (and sustainable) environments for students of the next generation.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
As an architect, I believe we have a responsibility to our communities. We need to consider everything from politics, energy consumption, environmental impacts, and even the education system within the community. Buildings consume a lot of energy, and every architect or engineer has a duty to ensure we're not contributing to negative climate change. I'm also focused on supporting our local public education system so that every student, regardless of their social and economic status, has access to education to contribute to making the world a better place. These values of community responsibility, environmental stewardship, and educational equity guide both my professional work and personal life.
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