August Professional Member of the Month

Jill Boetger

Ryan Companies US, Inc.

Project Manager

1. Our line of work is built on the value of relationships and opportunities; what have you found is the best way to communicate in times of conflict?
   I have to remind myself to slow down and not try to immediately fix the problem on my own. I do my best to listen and be open to another perspective. Everyone has something to offer and something to teach if we’re willing to listen and have a genuine desire to learn.  Usually, there is a common ground or a hybrid solution that both sides can agree to.

2. Sometimes our careers can be demanding; how do you wind down in the evenings to maintain a balanced lifestyle?
   My evenings are spent with my husband TJ and our two boys Zavier and Greyson. Maintaining a balanced lifestyle is a continuous challenge, but we do our best to try and be present during family time. Most nights feature cooking/eating as a family followed by watching tv or reading together before bed. Revisiting some of our favorite childhood chapter books with our kids has been fun.

3. In 2018 technology is at our fingertips - what is your favorite app and/or website?
   At work the app I use the most is Procore. We use it for all things project related (drawings, financials, meetings, RFIs, photos, etc.). It’s been a game changer for punch lists.  One the personal side the two apps I find myself going to are Class Dojo and Pinterest. Class Dojo allows me to get a glimpse into my kid’s daily lives at school. I love it when their teachers post photos of all the fun/silly/creative things they’re doing.

4. As professionals we are versed in community interaction and collaboration; what are you involved in outside of your profession?
   The two organizations that are near and dear to my heart are the ACE Mentoring Program and Iowa Women in Architecture. ACE is a free after-school mentoring program for High School students that allows them to get first-hand experience with the Architecture, Construction and Engineering disciplines by going through a mock project. I’ve been involved with ACE for 12 years as a mentor, team leader and member of the Board of Directors. I have the honor of serving as the Chair for our Central Iowa affiliate this year.  I’ve also been very fortunate to be involved with Iowa Women in Architecture for the last 4-5 years. I was the Co-Chair for the Education & Programs Committee from 2014 to 2016 and have remained involved with that committee. Our events and programs are enlightening and empowering and I can’t say enough for our socials. I look forward to them and really enjoy the great conversations that come out of those mornings.

5. We are Iowa Women in Architecture; who were the female role models that inspired you?
   My parents were my first role models and really set the stage for me. They always told me that I could do anything I set my mind to and have continuously supported and encouraged me along the way. I’m so thankful for them.  Professionally, I’ve had a lot of great mentors. Many females stand out: Ann Reinhart, Nicki Jensen and Heidi Pollmann. One of my most influential mentors has been Brian Clark, which is a testament to the fact that women don’t need only female role models. In our industry there are not always female role models readily available so be open to learn from whomever inspires you.

July Professional Member of the Month

Sara Davids

RDG Planning and Design

Intern Landscape Architect

1. Our line of work is built on the value of relationships and opportunities; what have you found is the best way to communicate in times of conflict?
   In times of conflict I think it’s best to pick up the phone, or if feasible, meet face to face. It makes for a more personal interaction and helps remove the potential confusion of reading instructions from a screen where tone and intent can get lost. I’m working on this myself, because it’s often easy to rely on emailing where you have the chance to review your response.

2. Sometimes our careers can be demanding; how do you wind down in the evenings to maintain a balanced lifestyle?
   I like to go running, even if I’m busy I’ve found that getting some exercise really improves my overall mood and feeling of well-being. Now that I’m done studying for my license exams I’ve started to read much more. I’m always open for recommendations on great historical fiction!

3. In 2018 technology is at our fingertips - what is your favorite app and/or website?
   My new favorite app is Procreate, which is a great digital drawing app that I’ve been playing around with. It’s been a great way to practice sketching.

4. As professionals we are versed in community interaction and collaboration; what are you involved in outside of your profession?
   While not outside my profession, I have been busy serving on the ASLA executive committee. My recent focus has been advocating landscape architecture to local students and creating more public awareness of the profession, especially in the Midwest. This includes outreach to K-7 classes to educate about landscape architecture and encouraging students currently in landscape architecture programs to stay in the Midwest.

5. We are Iowa Women in Architecture; who were the female role models that inspired you?
   I am inspired by the women I work with and appreciate their guidance as I learn more about where I want to go in my career. I am fortunate enough to work alongside several awesome women from various disciplines, so I feel like I have grown immensely since starting full time.

June Professional Member of the Month

MAGGIE DOUGHERTY

INVISION ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECT

1. Our profession is built on the value of relationships and opportunities; how do you prepare for a meeting with a new client?
I find myself researching to find something relatable between myself and a new client. At the very least we know we have common goals to improve our surrounding environment, but the deeper I get into this profession the more I realize how every new project is an opportunity for a new relationship.  

2. We often design to improve the health of people and the environment; how do you wind down in the evenings to maintain a balanced lifestyle?
Biking and learning new grilling recipes are at the top of my list when I get home from work this summer.

3. In 2018 technology is at our fingertips - what is your favorite app and/or website?
For fun, Movie Pass is my new favorite app this year. I am always interested in more efficient ways of doing everyday things. I hope its business model really takes off or at least changes the way we interact with a struggling industry.

For work, I like the Procore app, it makes punchlists simple and more accurate.

4. As professionals we are versed in community interaction and collaboration; what are you involved in outside the realm of architecture/design?
Outside of work I have been involved in the Women in STEM program at the local middle school, and will lead the group this coming Fall. I hope to inspire young girls to appreciate the design/construction fields, and to know that there is balance in science and creativity. I believe we need to show girls at a young age the career opportunities that are out there, and it starts with seeing real women who work in the throes of it every day.

5. We are Iowa Women in Architecture; who were the female role models that inspired you?
I have been fortunate to follow strong female leads with my mother and grandmother. My mother had 7 children while working as an art teacher and volunteers at every opportunity possible. My grandmother was a nurse and mother of 8 who worked her way up to Vice President on the Mercy Hospital Board. But what really motivates me is curious young girls at STEM events/ design camps/job shadows. They are ones who get me excited for our future!

May Professional Member of the Month

Kate Rutledge

In Transition

Architect

1. Our profession is built on the value of relationships and opportunities; how do you prepare for a meeting with a new client?
Each client is definitely different but research any applicable topics, create a list of questions that I really need to have answered to understand the needs and wants of the new project, and try and gain an understanding of project through RFP – those things can typically tell you a lot.

2. We often design to improve the health of people and the environment; how do you wind down in the evenings to maintain a balanced lifestyle?
Hanging out with fiancé, cooking dinner or going to our favorite restaurants, and watching bad television shows and playing cribbage – definitely try to remove myself from work mindset and put down the phone.

3. In 2018 technology is at our fingertips - what is your favorite app and/or website?
Website – The Everygirl: get lifestyle website that has some really great articles; App – Feedly: brings all my favorite websites into one place, anything from Buzzfeed to NPR along with all of the design sites I follow.

4. As professionals we are versed in community interaction and collaboration; what are you involved in outside the realm of architecture/design?
I was incredibly involved both in the realm of architecture and outside of it but went a little too full tilt and experienced burn out, which I honestly thought was a myth.  For a handful of years, I was involved in Young Professional Connections, Iowa Women in Architecture, IA Iowa PR Committee, IA Architect Editorial Board, and Big Hair Ball planning committee.  They are all great organizations and have taught me things that I never would have learned at a firm. I took a step back the past six months and am just starting to look at new organizations and community involvement to fill some of the roles I’ve stepped down from.  I also am in a cook book club with about 20 of my colleagues and friends – not all 20 make it every month but it’s a fantastic way to figure out how other women are balancing their lives and just enjoy female friends – we’re definitely a build ourselves up kind of group.

5. We are Iowa Women in Architecture; who were the female role models that inspired you?
Current women in RDG – they are kicking butt and taking names and a constant source of inspiration and amazement.  Also, must give a nod to my mother – she taught me how to both have a life, family and career; it truly is about the daily push and pull of each facet of yourself and figuring out what needs to give that day.

April Professional Member of the Month

Phil Hodgin

RDG Planning and Design

Architect, Principal, Corporate CEO

1. Our line of work is built on the value of relationships and opportunities; what have you found is the best way to communicate in times of conflict?

I’m probably old fashioned in my belief there is no substitute for face to face conversation.
Small problems become big problems if you don’t deal with them quickly and openly. We
can identify and “own” issues quickly with the use of social media but I’ve found no better
way to resolve issues than face to face. If being together isn’t possible, a phone call is next
best. Email might be the worst (!) since messaging can be interpreted so widely.

2. Sometimes our careers can be demanding; how do you wind down in the evenings to
maintain a balanced lifestyle?

Balancing has changed for me as I’ve cycled through life-phases. Balance used to be focused
on work-kids- community. With all three kids now adults, I now add “personal enrichment”
to my balance with a little more time to read, exercise and enjoy a slow meal or a live
performance with my wife and friends once in a while.

3. In 2017 technology is at our fingertips - what is your favorite app and/or website?

Does my Starbuck’s app count? Anyone who knows me will laugh that I even have an
answer to this question. Beyond email and texting I enjoy Instagram and of course, overuse
my I-Phone for absolutely everything… news, weather, research, Find A Friend on
RAGBRAI, etc. I love Sky Map for those nights when you “think you know that is the big
dipper” but really don’t. DeZeen is my favorite design resource.

4. As professionals we are versed in community interaction and collaboration; what are you involved in outside of your profession?

I am not chairing any community boards this year, but I continue to contribute to the evolution and improvements in our community centered on the Arts, Leadership, Diversity and Civility. I enjoy Rotary DMAM, GDMLI, WDM Leadership Academy and the West Des Moines Community Enrichment Foundation. I am honored to be completing my first year on the First National Bank Board of Directors, a very well managed community institution who took a calculated risk adding a design professional for balance and perspective.

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

There are many Iowa women I am inspired by and thank for their many contributions including first of mind… Connie Wimer, Ro Crosbie and Phyllis Staplin. I could type a long list but will pay specific tribute to my mother, A. Loraine Hodgin. Along with along list of admirable achievements, she was a great pianist who accompanied hundreds of music students through city and state competitions for over 40 years. She offered us all the same advice… her guaranteed recipe for success:
“walk in with your shoulders squared, own the room, hit the first and last notes with confidence then… look the judge in the eyes, shake their hand and smile”.

March Professional Member of the Month

Thad Long, AIA

SVPA Architects

Vice President

1. Our profession is built on the value of relationships and opportunities; how do you prepare for a meeting with a new client?

Typically, I know ahead of time about a new opportunity, I like to research their business; understand who they are, what they do, what their company values and what SVPA can bring to support or improve all of that. Then I tailor a promotional booklet about SVPA to show our experience that relates to the clients business. Pulling from our nearly 65 years of experience and the longevity of our team members, I highlight our easy-going team and the values we have in common with this potential new client.

2. We often design to improve the health of people and the environment; how do you wind down in the evenings to maintain a balanced lifestyle?

Being completely honest, I recognize this is a constant struggle in our business especially now that I have moved into a leadership and business development role. The amount of passion we have for architecture and for the business itself can dominate our life and be constantly on our minds. To help balance and to wind down, I love cooking with my wife. We like to experiment with new recipes and new flavors. We always make it a point to eat at the table together, with or without all the kids, and I’m fortunate to have a spouse that is interested in what I do and can help me decompress from the day by listening to the good and the bad. We turn on music, whatever suites our mood that day, and deal a few hands of cribbage.

3. In 2018 technology is at our fingertips - what is your favorite app and/or website?

Well, having Outlook on my phone is certainly and blessing and a curse! Jokes aside, I have really enjoyed listening to podcasts lately. It’s a nice break from listening to the news and the political angst in our country lately. Spotify is also great for creating playlists and researching new artists.

4. As professionals we are versed in community interaction and collaboration; what are you involved in outside the realm of architecture/design?

This aspect of life, like most, has shifted at different times of life. Currently, my wife and I are part of the PIGS bicycle club (Paired Iowans Going Somewhere) and I am a member of the Pedal CVT group that hosts an annual ride to raise funds for the Chichaqua Valley Trails. This year I have enjoyed sitting back and watching the Bondurant Marching Band Competitions after being an active Pit Member and trailer driver for eight years. Besides coaching I was the President for the Bondurant Soccer Club for 11 years and involved with Youth Wrestling. As I have taken on more of a business development role at work, I have been more involved in various Chambers in the metro area focused on the east and north side and I am a board member for BDI (Bondurant Development, Inc.) besides other organizations like ICREA, Iowa Bankers Association…..

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

First female role model I have to say is “My Mother.”  My mother always worked in more of a professional consulting role. She worked her way up from key-punching without college education. She progressed forward in her career by working hard even when she was taking care of two children as a single parent. This has cultivated in me a respect for women and all they do; their passions, their drive, and the perspective they bring to the table. In my experience, women can be brutality honest, they don’t B-S as much as men. Several women in our profession and in my personal life have impressed with their dedication, honesty and care they put into their family, into their career and into life.