July Professional Member of the Month

Wyatt Archer

BOLTON & MENK

Community Planner

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

I get the most enjoyment from public engagement. Being able to learn and listen to communities, and proactively work to fix issues brings me fulfillment.

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

I have been listening to “Talking Home Renovations with the Housing Maven” by Katharine MacPhail. It focuses on the sustainable renovation of old homes covering a wide variety of renovations. My wife and I are currently working on renovating a home built in 1900 and the different techniques discussed help generate new ideas and make sure we haven’t overlooked a part of the renovation.

3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

Leaving my comfort zone and moving to Iowa to work for Bolton & Menk. I am grateful to work with some amazing individuals that have helped expand my horizons. 

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

Have a solid network of like-minded peers to bounce ideas and issues off of.

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

Before I was a planner, I cold emailed the Planning Director of a small city, Sarah Sitterle, to learn more about what planners do. I went to many different public board meetings she ran to learn more and took her advice on applying to graduate school. She inspired me to be a planner. I also drew inspiration from Tamika Butler and Angie Schmitt for their work in equity and transportation planning. 

June Corporate Member Project Spotlight 2022

Corporate Member Project Spotlight: Confluence

Triumph Park

2022 | Waukee, IA

Triumph Park is a multi-sport youth athletics complex that will provide a new public event space to serve the Waukee community’s growing population. It includes 12 soft/baseball fields, practice/warm-up spaces, a large water feature, play spaces, an all-inclusive fishing pier, a Miracle League field, and other amenities.

@thinkconfluence

June Professional Member of the Month

Miranda Budnik

INVISION

Interior Designer

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

I love analyzing and understanding the human condition from an interior’s perspective. Each client and facility are unique which ultimately creates a different design solution for each project I am involved in – making every day an adventure.

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

Professionally related – Work Life with Adam Grant – love his different perspectives on the workforce. 

Personally – My favorite is Murder with Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark – I am a bit of a murderino and obsessed with true crime. SSDGM

3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

If I am being honest – being a part of the self-proclaimed Fun Committee in my office. I am proud of bringing a little culture and energy into our workplace.  On a more serious note, I am most proud of pushing the mold of the “standard” interior designer position. As an interior designer, I have been involved in everything from facility master planning, detailing canopies, designing environmental graphics, and most recently constructing a Biophilic Book. I love that my firm has allowed me to push myself out of my own comfort zone.

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

Stay true to yourself. Your personality will get you further than professional accolades.

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

I’d like to give a shout-out to all my female coworkers – each and every one of them are so inspiring, dedicated, and fun.

May Corporate Member Project Spotlight 2022

Corporate Member Project Spotlight: SVPA Architects

The Waldinger Corporation Headquarters

Completed in 2020 | Des Moines, IA

The Waldinger Corporation selected SVPA to lead them through a process of combining their current business operations in three separate facilities into a new state-of-the-art corporate headquarters under one roof. SVPA guided the team through modern workplace strategies to develop a flexible and collaborative environment for their various business units including a one-story production building.

May Professional Member of the Month

Brenda Golwitzer

Integrated Sales Inc.

Principal

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

Some of the most exciting aspects of what I do include opportunities to be involved in a large variety of projects. Helping our partners identify solutions to unique applications and see the finished project come together to serve the needs of the client is rewarding.

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

I enjoy listening to podcasts from motivational speakers.  Some days, there is so much negativity in the news that it’s nice to focus for a bit on the positive things we can do within our own lives.  One I recently listened to was from Motivation Daily by Motiversity with Denzel Washington.

3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

My husband and I started Integrated Sales during the economic downturn of 2008. Fortunately, we had great manufacturers and industry partners to help us be successful.

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

My advice would be to ask for assignments/responsibilities that aren’t typically in your wheelhouse or area of expertise. Many of the opportunities I’ve received throughout my career have been from experiences I didn’t even think would be relevant in future positions and/or projects.

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

I’m not sure I can point to any well-known female role models that really made an impact specifically in my life; however, I will say that I am constantly in awe of how my mother worked nights as a nurse and somehow also managed to raise nine kids.  I am still inspired by how she held it all together and did so with grace and kindness.

April Professional Member of the Month

Katie Harms

OPN Architects

Associate

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

I’m energized by the people I collaborate with and the projects I’m working on. Each day brings a different schedule and opportunities to learn and grow. I am excited about what we can accomplish together, helping people grow, and working with clients to achieve their goals. I practice as a Generalist Architect, which allows me to lead different project types and interact with various clients and consultants.

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

I’m not a big podcast listener, but I will say I read a book by Shonda Rhimes called the “Year of Yes” that inspired me. It was about Shonda’s personal journey to push herself out of her comfort zone and grow as a person. Her story made me take a second look at my life and what I wanted out of it. I too decided to have a year of YES after I read that book! I took more risks, said “Yes” to opportunities I might pass by, didn’t sweat the small things, and enjoyed what I had and those around me.

3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

There are many accomplishments that led up to being the first woman from Iowa to receive the AIA National Young Architect Award back in 2012. That was a huge honor for me to be a part of a small group of leaders from across the nation. I was able to be a part of efforts locally, regionally, and nationally within the AIA as part of the National Associates Committee and Young Architects Forum. I worked on large-scale projects within OPN, led discussions at AIA conferences, and promoted the development of emerging professionals.

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

Never lose sight of your goals and make the most of every learning opportunity you encounter. Ask as many questions as you can, don’t be afraid to take risks, and stay true to your values and what you want to become. I experienced doubt from people when I was young about “making it” as an architect and it only fueled my determination to push myself further and harder to be where I am today.

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

My mother is my number one role model. She is a successful teacher that has an amazing work ethic, always puts others first, taught me the value of knowing what you have, and to never give up on my aspirations. I am surrounded by amazing women every day – young and seasoned. We all have something to share and teach others. Continue to do what you can to promote other women and bring them up with you on your journey!