May Professional Member of the Month

Heidi Willis

INVISION

Architect

1. What is the most exciting and energizing aspect of your current position?

Fostering client relationships to a deeper level than the project energizes me. I love getting to a level in the design process that prompts clients’ hidden interests and passions, creating a more meaningful and invested project for all involved.

2. What was the last interesting podcast you listened to?

My one-year-old keeps me on my toes these days so I haven’t gotten into listening to podcasts, but the next book read on my list is I-Engage: Your Personal Engagement Roadmap by Bob Kelleher.

3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I had a goal from the start of my architectural registration exams to have them complete by the time our family grew. I met my goal with a month to spare.

4. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Be uncomfortable. It takes being uncomfortable to grow.

5. We are Iowa Women in Architecture; who were the female role models that inspired you? 

Becoming a mother in the past year has put a whole new perspective on the loving and caring charisma of my mother. She has always been there to lend an ear, pick me up when I’m down, and bring me back to earth when I’ve flown too high. She has shown me how to love deeply, listen genuinely, and compete intensely.

April Professional Member of the Month

Madeline Bany

OPN Architects

Intern Architect

1. What is the most exciting and energizing aspect of your current position?

The variety and collaboration. I really enjoy the fact that I learn something new every day and I never know what I may end up doing week to week. I also love collaborating and solving problems with my coworkers, it is so exciting to work through all the possible solutions to a problem and finally find the one that works!

2. What was the last interesting podcast you listened to?

I listen to music a lot more than podcasts, but I found Noble Blood really fascinating.

3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

Being only a year out of school my biggest accomplishment so far has been being able to see something that I designed, built. It is so rewarding seeing something you have put so much time and thought into, in a place where so many people get to see and interact with it every day.

4. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Ask A LOT of questions, and don’t be afraid of not knowing something. Also, it’s cliché but so true, just be yourself and don’t waste your time trying to be anyone else.

5. We are Iowa Women in Architecture; who were the female role models that inspired you? 

My great-grandma has gone through so much in her lifetime and is still one of the strongest, kindest, and hard-working women I know. In the profession, Eli Goll has been an amazing mentor and role model to me. She is so involved in our community and so honest and patient. I feel like I can come to her with anything, which has been a lifesaver being so new to the profession!

March Professional Member of the Month

Kerry Weig

INVISION

Principal & Managing Architect

1. What is the most exciting and energizing aspect of your current position?

INVISION is an amazing place to work. Hands down, the most exciting and energizing aspect of my current position is our culture-it is one of focus on the client, working smartly, and creation of opportunities, all while creating beautiful architecture. My position lets me explore each of these facets in many unique ways. I love seeing the application of our culture unfold in our projects and learning more about the people through their development.

2. What was the last interesting podcast you listened to?

I’m totally a podcast lady. They have helped me survive The last interesting podcast I listened to was Losing 100 Pounds with Corinne. While it was interesting, I’d probably rather share my favorite podcast which is Brendon Burchard’s The Brendon Show. It’s all about high performance, which I could listen to night and day. (My favorite magazine is Harvard business Review!:))  I’ve converted tools and tips and the High-Performance Planner into a digital format in OneNote, combined it with my spiritual journal and daily task planner to set the stage for most days. It’s been a great resource for me to keep focused, keep on track with my short and long-term goals, and keeping gratitude and prayer at the forefront of my life. 

3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

The professional accomplishment I am most proud of would be a service award from the Memorial Union at Iowa State. It was so meaningful to me because I stood side by side with some of the amazing people that I developed relationships with over my project work within the MU and represented service, not design. Service means so much to me and has a high value when I list accomplishments.

4. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

I’ve learned so much about being a woman in a professional practice in the 2o+ years since I have graduated, it’s hard to sum up it up. To all you ladies out there- You rock, girl. Do not waste one minute doubting yourself. You are where you are meant to be-make the most of that opportunity today, not tomorrow. Align yourself with people that make you laugh and will help you grow. Be grateful. Enjoy life. Live your life. 

5. We are Iowa Women in Architecture; who were the female role models that inspired you? 

My role models start at home with my girls. I watch them take on the world with a joy and intensity I’ve taken 46 years to not even come close to achieving, and they are 16 and 9. They are my heroes. In the profession, I’ve been always grateful to Kate Schwennsen who was a masterful instructor and has always had sage advice to offer on navigating this field as a woman. I also admire Mindy Aust and Danielle Herman for blazing trails in all that they do. For the younger population reading this-get to know these two ladies. You will be glad to have crossed paths with them and they are guaranteed to inspire. 

February Student Member of the Month

Kianna Lechtenberg

Iowa State University

College of Design - Freshman

1. Why did you choose the design/construction field?

I considered many professions before deciding on architecture. I was attracted to the creative, research, and problem-solving components of architecture.

2. What is the most unusual medium you have used for a model, and what did it represent?

In one of my core design classes, my group and I utilized chains, vinyl, and hair ties to create a wearable poncho. These materials allowed the piece to have unique movements and sounds.

3. What has been your favorite studio trip so far?

I have yet to go on my first studio trip, but I am looking forward to seeing the challenges architects face in different areas.

4. What is the best advice you have received from a professor or mentor?

The best advice I have received is to look back at my earlier sketches and ideas. When I am not sure how to continue this helps me figure out my overall vision for the project.

5. How has Iowa Women in Architecture influenced you?

Iowa Women in Architecture has greatly influenced me this past year, as I am a first-year student still figuring things out. Many of my classes are online which makes it harder to connect with my professors and peers. This group has been a wonderful resource that has introduced me to other architects I can confide in. When speaking to the professionals in Iowa Women in Architecture they always offer greatly appreciated advice and insight.

Light Interpretation

This series of college models were inspired by the drawing. I especially like how different the models look when light shines through different areas.

February Professional Member of the Month

Courtney Koch

CMBA Architects

Principal

1. What is the most exciting and energizing aspect of your current position?

I love working with people, whether that’s colleagues or clients, I am most energized when collaborating! Being able to solve problems and help clients realize their vision is exciting!

2. What was the last interesting podcast you listened to?

I absolutely love Cy Wakeman and her No Ego podcast always delivers!!

3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

Being able to lead our team at CMBA and help shape our future is what I am most proud of. We have an amazing team and getting to work together is so rewarding!

4. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Go for it with tenacity and remember a positive attitude always helps!!

5. We are Iowa Women in Architecture; who were the female role models that inspired you? 

I have amazing women in my life that continue to inspire me every day, but the ultimate role model is my mom. She is the true embodiment of working hard but always making sure there was time for her family. She always believed in and supported what I was doing and that pushed me to keep going.

January Student Member of the Month

Brenna Fransen

Iowa State University

4th Year Architecture Student

1. Why did you choose the design/construction field?

Architecture is a great mixture of creativity, logic, and comprehensive thinking which both challenges and pushes me to view everyday life in a new way. 

2. What is the most unusual medium you have used for a model, and what did it represent?

In a class called “Formworks”, I utilized other students’ scrap castings such as broken concrete or spilled plaster and created new castings through recycling other’s waste.

3. What has been your favorite studio trip so far?

The first field trip we ever went on was to Chicago which was about a month after we started studying architecture. It was a great bonding experience for everyone, and it was the first time I went to a city with a new perspective of what architecture can be.

4. What is the best advice you have received from a professor or mentor?

The best advice (that I get often) is to go to bed when you’re stuck. Easier said than done but looking at work with a refreshed mind in the morning can make a big difference in noticing what is working and what isn’t.

5. How has Iowa Women in Architecture influenced you?

Having portfolio reviews and discussions where I can connect with women who are currently in practice has helped me gain confidence and better understand what the next steps in my career can look like.

DSM Art Center and Cutural Hub

Located across from the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, the hub hosts a series of outdoor gathering spaces and openings in the façade that invite pedestrians strolling past the site to look down and observe the art.