- When did you decide to become an architect?
It was while I was celebrating my favorite holiday, Monterey Design Conference weekend! After graduating from college I became very interested in the eco-fashion movement, which led to an interest in green design in general. LEED was just gaining mainstream popularity and my parent’s architecture firm was looking for someone to coordinator their LEED efforts. About a year and half after stepping into that role I attended MDC, like I do every 2 years, but this was the first time I went as an official member of the professional architectural community. I found that year’s conference to be so inspiring that I went back to my office with a need to get more into the design side of the profession. Less than a year later I was enrolled in Architecture school. - If you weren’t an architect, you would be …
When I was younger, I wanted to be the next Katie Couric. I looked up to her as a strong, independent, intelligent, confident and successful woman. If it hadn’t been for my debilitating stage-fright I probably would have pursued broadcast journalism. - What did you listen to on this morning’s commute?
My favorite morning radio show, Valentine in the Morning. I’m not a morning person, so I look for anything to turn my grumpy morning mood around before I get into the office. They do a segment called happy news each where callers can call in to share good things that have happened to them recently. It always puts a smile on my face and makes my mornings better. - Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon. - Why are you serving on the ____________ (or what was your role as the _________)?
I was raised in the AIA. My parents are both AIA junkies, so as soon as I graduated from architecture school I was nudged toward AIA service. After serving as the California Regional Associate Director I was hooked. The Academy for Emerging Professionals (AEP) is such a fun group with so much ambition. We support each other personally and professionally and have an infectious amount of energy to better our profession. Mentorship, and building others up to succeed, is a personal passion of mine, so it only seemed natural to step into a further role with the AEP, which is why I chose to pursue my current position, VP of the Academy for Emerging Professionals. - One place you want to visit from your bucket list:
So many places, I can’t decide! The Japanese Countryside, Copenhagen, Scotland, Germany, Bali, Costa Rica…I want to see it all!
Celebrating over 75 years of service, the AIA California actively promotes the value of design and advocates for the architectural profession. AIA CA is an association of 11,000 dedicated and passionate members who share a commitment to design excellence and livability in California’s natural and built environments.
So great to see you continuing the legacy AIA engagement of your entire family! Cheers to you Megan!