May Professional Member of the Month
Annamarie Snider
OPN Architects
Architect
1. What is the most exciting and energizing aspect of your current position?
The most energizing aspect of what I do is coming together as a team to solve a problem or make a new discovery. I work on historic projects and they often require a bit of investigation work and creative problem solving. Those are the moments I look forward to.
2. What is the last interesting book you read?
I’m currently reading, and have been for a long time, One Hundred years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Needless to say, it’s not too exciting. I want to read all the books on every “you should read” list and have my own list I keep adding to. The last interesting book I read was The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*uck by Mark Manson. I enjoyed his perspective and have adjusted my life slowly to focus on where I have true purpose and meaning. Next on my list is You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero. Might as well keep the theme going.
3. What do you worry about and why?
I am currently working on diverting my attention from worrying to doing. Sometimes there are things in life that require action, others you can’t change and must let go, and lastly some you need to tackle or worry on. That said, one of my biggest worries is Climate Change. I believe this is the biggest challenge facing our world as it will change every aspect of our lives.
4. How do you define success? And measure it?
I love Maya Angelou’s quote about success, and it aligns with me internally: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” Often, we focus on the rat race, pouring over social media or others in our profession and personal lives thinking about how we don’t measure up. None of that matters, you are the measuring stick.
5. Who were the female role models that inspired you?
For me it’s random. It’s my friend who is the patient mom at the dinner table waiting for her kids to eat the last vegetables on their plates every night. It’s Amelia Earhart and Zaha Hadid, who defied traditional gender roles. It’s my best girlfriends who have shared their positive attitudes, insights and support over the years. Deep down it’s every woman, the small achievements and the huge strides each have taken.