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She Builds Podcast features the seldom-told stories of women who build. These women’s stories were not taught in schools, but they have shaped the industries of architecture, construction, and development over the last century. The podcast was started by three friends who, after graduating from architecture school together, sought to fill in the gaps in their education while creating a resource for others.
Jessica Rogers, NOMA is the Office Administrator and Marketing Coordinator at Peacock Architects, where she combines her architectural background with strong operational and marketing expertise. In her role, Jessica leads proposal development, manages the project pipeline, and supports overall office efficiency.
Elizabeth Raar (Lizi) is a licensed architect, originally from West Michigan, who graduated from Syracuse University. Currently, she works for En Masse Architecture and Design in Chicago, IL on single-family residential projects. She enjoys making a project functional yet beautiful for the client.
Norgerie Rivas-Villalongo is an architect from Puerto Rico with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Syracuse University. She is currently a project manager at eStudio Architecture in Houston, Texas, where she has designed projects for various sectors, including commercial, healthcare, multifamily, and retail, from inception through construction. She currently serves as an Architect Licensing Advisor with the Texas Society of Architects, Past-Chair of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program, and is an active participant in Latinos in Architecture.
We talk about…
- The behind-the-scenes reality of building an international women in architecture podcast, from writing scripts and digging through archives to piecing together the stories of impactful women who history nearly overlooked.
- The very different career journeys these three women have taken from Syracuse to Miami, DC, Houston, San Francisco, and Chicago, and why there is no single roadmap for building a meaningful architecture career.
- Themes and patterns that have emerged across more than 100 stories of women in architecture, including how access, privilege, education, and mentorship have historically shaped opportunity in the profession.
- We end by sharing architecture-fueled travel stories and the unforgettable places that have shaped their perspective, including Hearst Castle, Sea Ranch, and Hagia Sophia.
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Connect with She Builds:
www.shebuildspodcast.com
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Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
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On today’s episode of Architectette we feature a conversation with Julianne Peters. Julianne is an interior designer at Hellyer Lewis Smith, founder of Design Success Network, and is also a multi-term leader of her local PA/NJ/DE IIDA Chapter.
We talk about:
- Julianne’s early career experiences, how she navigated challenges during the pandemic, the roles and responsibilities of her current position, and the challenge of taking and passing the NCIDQ exams.
- The importance of legislation both on a national and a state level to protect the title of interior designers, the ability to sign drawings, and the advocacy efforts in various states to achieve recognition.
- Her extensive volunteerism with professional associations like IIDA and ASID. She reflects on the benefits of her involvement which extends far beyond the workplace.
- We finish with Julianne’s founder story! We talk about the idea for Design Success Network and how the platform works to ease the burden of the NCIDQ exams with study resources and tutoring to support designers preparing for exams or seeking professional development.
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Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
Meghana Joshi is a Managing Principal at MG2 and an award-winning architect with over 25 years of experience shaping national retail and banking environments. She blends practice, leadership, and lived experience to examine how spaces quietly shape power, access, and belonging. Her work bridges architecture, economics, and culture.
We talk about:
- We talk about Meghana’s career evolution, from moving internationally and starting her career in tandem with motherhood, to the intentions behind investing in her career development.
- We discuss Meghana’s strategy with her family to redistribute traditional caregiving roles so that she could devote more energy to deepening and expanding her impact at work.
- Meghana shares more about leadership at MG2, Women in Architecture, and other EDI initiatives. She shares more about building teams using a “stay-grow-lead” methodology, crafting initiatives that focus on actionable change.
- The end of our conversation focuses on We also chat about salaries and negotiations vs male and female approaches to each.
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Connect with Meghana
https://medium.com/@archimom
https://www.instagram.com/meghanaira/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghana/
>>>
Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
Replay!
Today's guest is Ann (Annie) Rolland. Annie recently retired as a Partner from FXCollaborative where she was the Director of the firm’s Cultural and Educational practice. Annie’s work embraces the pragmatic and creative- cultivating new integrations of program and design. Her projects are practical, responsive, elegant, and enduring while respecting the essence of each client and place.
Annie is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, a registered architect in New York, and a Fellow of the AIA. She is active on the AIA New York Committee on Architecture for Education, Non-Traditional Employment for Women (NEW), and the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF). In 2021, Annie was recognized as a Notable LGBTQ Leader by Crain’s New York.
We talk about:
- Annie’s career in architecture from high school through retirement. We focus on pivotal moments in her journey and the advice she would share with others who want to follow in her path.
- We next focus on Annie’s role as a firm leader. She advises on the importance of vocalizing your goals as you grow within a firm, how she optimized her role during economically uncertain times, and how she utilized adaptability and strategic planning as a firm leader.
- We also chat about her views on hybrid work environments, flexible schedules, and how architecture must evolve post-pandemic.
- Annie also emphasizes the importance of leaving a lasting impact through quality, mentorship, and socially responsible design. We highlight her volunteer efforts and discuss her overhaul of her firm’s material library to eliminate products that utilize forced labor.
- We end with a popular question- do architects ever really retire? We talk about her upcoming projects including a renovation and work with her local zoning board.
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Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette by leaving us a rating and review!
>>>
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
Caeley Looney is the CEO and Founder of Reinvented Inc., a nonprofit that has served STEM educational materials to over 500,000 students worldwide since its inception in 2019. Prior to starting Reinvented, Caeley earned her B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and her M.S. in Space Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
She’s worked in the aerospace industry on everything from small satellites to lunar landers and was recently a Senior GNC Engineer at Sidus Space working on AI-driven satellites.
Today, Caeley focuses on building hands-on STEM programming for students and empowering young girls to pursue STEM fields through Reinvented full-time. In 2025, Caeley was included on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Education category for the impact she’s made through her work with Reinvented.
We talk about:
- Caeley’s extensive education and how, despite her credentials, she experienced gender bias at work. These experiences led her to write a post that gathered so much support overnight, a team was ready to launch the magazine when she woke the next morning.
- She shares more about the logistics of publishing a magazine and how Reinvented is designed to provide both educational and inspirational content for middle and high school girls interested in STEM.
- We share more about Reinvented’s other initiatives: Princesses with Power Tools and the Space Gala.
- We wrap up with the wide-reaching impact of Reinvented’s programming, share a few impact stories, and talk about the Forbes 30 Under 30 list vs imposter syndrome.
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Connect with Caeley:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caeleystems
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@caeleystems
Personal Website: https://www.caeleylooney.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caeleylooney/
Beauty and the Bolt: https://www.youtube.com/c/beautyandthebolt
Reinvented Website: http://reinventedmagazine.com/#
>>>
Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
Replay!
On today's episode of Architectette we welcome three female founders of the Philadelphia firm, FIFTEEN Architecture and Design!
We chat with Ximena Valle, AIA, LEED AP; Mary Beth Di Figlia, RA; and Jill Lavine, AIA, LEED AP about founding the firm, manifesting their dreams, connecting their diverse backgrounds in architecture, design, construction, and archaeology; and how the act as leaders to bring positive change to their communities.
We talk about Ximena’s experience launching a firm shortly after having a baby, if Jill was or was not living the dream as an architect working on a skyscraper, and Mary Beth’s advice on networking and growing the firm’s work. Of course, we also talk about how FIFTEEN uniquely approaches trust and transparency and fosters a work environment that is especially inclusive for mothers.
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Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette by leaving us a rating and review!
>>>
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
Shelly-Anne "Tulia" Scott is an award-winning architect at HOK, leader, and community advocate with over 20 years of experience spanning architecture, interior design, and urban storytelling.
She currently serves on the AIA Strategic Council as the Georgia Representative and is the Past President of the Atlanta chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMAtlanta). Her leadership is rooted in mentorship, equity, and social purpose. In recognition of her impact, Tulia was the 2025 recipient of the Carmen Stan Elevation of the Profession Award.
We talk about:
- Tulia’s career across firms and regions and how seeking “projects with a soul” in higher education, civic, and community design has shaped her path.
- We talk about the importance of defining career goals, self-advocacy, and personal branding to align with meaningful opportunities.
- Tulia elaborates on her leadership with NOMAtlanta and how she grew membership and advanced mentorship.
- We also talk about her insights from co-leading a sold-out mindfulness and visioning workshop at the Women’s Leadership Summit, which she crafted to help architects pause, reflect and clarify their next career steps.
>>>
Connect with Tulia
Tulia's Website
>>>
Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
Replay!
This week on Architectette, we’re spotlighting the voices of recent graduates from architecture programs across the globe. We asked all of our guests the same questions to gain insight into their unique experiences as they transition from academia to professional practice.
From how the pandemic shaped their academic experience to the movie that best describes their studio life, we dive deep into the highs and lows of their time in school. You'll hear some of the best pieces of advice they received during critiques, their thoughts on navigating internships, and the challenges of job hunting. We also asked about the surprises they encountered when they first entered the workplace, mentorship and management, and how they're learning in hybrid environments.
Finally, we asked our guests to look toward the future: we chat about how they plan to approach their AREs, what advice they'd give to the next class of graduates, and what they hope their legacy will be when they retire.
Lauren Maloney recently graduated from the University of Kansas as a part of their 5-year Master of Architecture program. While there, she developed a focus in Health and Wellness architecture and looks forward to making a difference in healthcare settings as an Associate at a firm in the Midwest.
Here's what we asked:
1. Introductions: what is your name, where did you go to school, when did you graduate?
2. How did the pandemic affect your academic experience?
3. If you had to describe your studio experience as a movie, which would you pick and why?
4. What was an impactful critique or piece of advice you received during a crit?
5. Did you intern during school?
6. Describe the job application process. Do you have tips for others regarding reaching out, interview questions, portfolio preparation, or software readiness?
7. When applying to firms, what factors were most important to you?
8. Did you negotiate any aspects of your offer? (salary, PTO, schedule?)
9. Once working, what is something about the practice of architecture that surprised you? What is something that you had to overcome?
10. Is it challenging to learn in a hybrid environment? How do you learn/ interact with colleagues?
11. If you were a manager of recent grads, how would you mentor them?
12. Do you plan on taking your AREs? What is your timeline? Did you accrue AXP hours during school?
13. What advice would you give to next year's graduates?
14. 40 years from now, when you retire, what do you hope is highlighted in your career description?
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Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
Erike De Veyra, Assoc. AIA, SEED, is a designer, seasoned project manager, and the founder of Design Gym. Her career spans architecture, public programming, and design education; bringing together creative practice with a strong focus on community impact. She recently earned a Master of Science in Design Thinking and Entrepreneurship, further shaping her interdisciplinary approach to design and leadership.
Design Gym is a platform that provides design education, workshops, educational programming, and design project leadership for clients and teams. Erike believes design is part of everyday life, that it should feel accessible, and that it should not be limited by cost or background.
Through her work, Erike empowers people to better understand the world around them and recognize their own ability to design. The individuals she works with leave more confident, more curious, and better equipped to be thoughtful stewards of design in their own communities.
We talk about:
- Erike’s non-linear path in architecture which started with graduating during the Recession. We talk about the challenges of the job market at that time and how she leveraged her volunteer leadership and extracurricular work to build skills, visibility, and career momentum.
- She speaks candidly about licensure, identity, and self-worth, unpacking the emotional realities of exams, motherhood, and redefining success beyond traditional firm roles.
- We highlight some of Erike’s most exciting roles, the impact she has had on the Philadelphia community, and how these opportunities led to the founding of Design Gym which blends architecture, design thinking, entrepreneurship, and education to help people of all ages build creativity and problem-solving confidence.
>>>
Connect with Erike:
Design Gym Website
Design Gym LinkedIn
Design Gym Instagram
>>>
Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
Replay!
On today’s episode of Architectette we share a conversation with Jill Bergman, FAIA, FACHA. Jill is a Senior Health Strategist at HDR, based in San Francisco, California. She has focused on healthcare facility design for her entire career, mostly working on large projects and medical planning.
We talk about:
- The power of focusing her career on one specific project type and how her after-work involvement helped her deepen her knowledge of healthcare architecture, build a strong community, and expand her impact.
- Her recent elevation to FAIA and why she was advised to consider applying as a milestone, rather than a lifetime achievement (fun fact: it’s both!).
- We next talk about Jill’s early career experience as a mentee and how she draws from that experience as she heads the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health, Colleague 2 Colleague Mentorship Program.
- We talk a bit about applying the “yes, and...” principles of improv to architecture and Jill shares a few specific lessons from her incredible standing-room only 2023 Women’s Leadership Summit Session.
- We end by discussing how data analytics and benchmarking as well as in-person shadowing experiences in the hospital have influenced her work as an architect.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
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