On today’s episode we welcome Bethany Lundell Garver. Beth is Dean of Practice at the Boston Architectural College, where she oversees college-wide courses and career programs that connect academic knowledge to real-world challenges. She directs the Gateway Office BAC, an innovative "community-based design uncenter" that expands design agency through civic engagement. Before joining the BAC in 2014, she spent many years with Rafael Viñoly Architects, working on significant laboratory and healthcare projects. She was recently recognized with the 2025 AIA/ACSA Practice and Leadership Award and the 2024 AIA Young Architects Award. Beth also maintains a Somerville-based design studio focused on architectural research and practice.

Welcome to a special bonus episode of Architectette! In this compilation episode, our 2025 Architectette guests share the advice they would give themselves at two pivotal points in their careers: just starting out, and after a decade of experience. Whether you're fresh out of school or navigating your mid-career chapter, this episode offers honest insights, lessons learned, and encouragement from women who’ve been there. Tune in for a thoughtful reflection on growth, grit, and what really matters in the long arc of an architecture career.

On today’s episode of Architectette we’re chatting with fellow architect and podcaster, Catherine Meng, AIA. Catherine is an architect and project manager at DLR Group in San Francisco. She received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University and previously worked in both Shanghai and New York City. She has built a career designing and leading projects ranging from high-end single-family residences to multi-family housing, as well as workplace and commercial design. She is also the host and founder of the Design Voice Podcast which was active from 2018 through 2022.

Evon Calabrese, Assoc. AIA, EDAC, is a healthcare designer at NBBJ with a focus on evidence-based and trauma-informed design. Throughout her career, she has specialized in environmental psychology, inclusive design, design justice, and research. 

Carina Mills, AIA serves as Senior Talent Director and Senior Associate for RDC-S111, Inc, a group of design firms including:  RDC, DyeLot Interiors and Studio One Eleven.

Kira is a writer, strategist, and convener focused on advancing design leadership and climate action through her company, Kira Gould CONNECT. 

Today’s bonus episode features the youngest licensed architect in the United States! Emily Almloff is a 2024 graduate from the University of Kansas with a Masters of Architecture and Masters of Construction Management degree. She is a Healthcare Architect with HFG Architecture where she works on hospitals throughout the Midwest. Her interests are focused on ways that the built environment can create a positive impact through crisis response, healthcare architecture, and affordable housing. We talk about her education, work, and her incredible effort to get through all 6 AREs and secure her license at 22.

Shadia Jaramillo is an architect at Goodwyn Mills Cawood in Pensacola, Florida. Originally from Panama, she moved to the United States in 2013 to pursue a career in architecture. Shadia is deeply committed to community engagement both in person and online and uses her social media platform, @shadia_architecture, to mentor emerging professionals, advocate for design, and promote the value of architecture.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pascale Sablan, FAIA, NOMAC, LEED AP is a visionary architect and CEO of the New York Studio of Adjaye Associates, where she leads major international, cultural, civic, and commercial projects.

Bryn Young is an architect, educator, and creator dedicated to helping aspiring architects succeed in their architectural licensing journey. She founded the ABC Club and Mind Over ARE, which both provide practical resources and guidance for Architect Registration Examination (ARE) candidates.

On this episode of Architectette, we sit down with Stephanie Lindsey and Jessica Nelson, the dynamic duo behind the Austin-based interior design firm Etch Design Group.

Etch's businesses include residential interior design, styling, interiors-focused AI education, and property management.

Erin Peavey is an architect, researcher, and the Health & Well-being Design Leader at HKS. She bridges the gap between research and practice with a focus on design for health, happiness, and social connection.

Maya Sharfi is the founder of Build Yourself Workshop where she helps women in design, technology, and innovation rise and subsequently thrive in senior roles. Her clients have landed executive positions, launched innovative initiatives, and achieved salary increases. She also helps companies make their organizations better places for women to flourish.

Kira is a writer, strategist, and convener focused on advancing design leadership and climate action through her company, Kira Gould CONNECT. 

As Senior Director of Product at Acelab, Patricia brings 12 years of industry experience to drive product and strategic growth. Her multifaceted background encompasses architecture, cost estimating, project management, and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC). Having worked extensively with digital construction technologies and complex project delivery, she brings a unique blend of hands-on industry knowledge and product leadership to help shape the future of AEC technology.

On today’s episode we share a conversation with Winka Dubbeldam. Winka is the founder and partner of Archi-Tectonics, a New York City firm widely known for their award-winning work, use of smart building systems, and innovative structures. 

Silvia Lee is a licensed architect with over a decade of experience in small and large NYC architectural offices. Always curious and open to new opportunities, Silvia entered the tech startup world as a community marketing manager. Using her background as an architect she continues her passion of executing ideas into experiences.

She is now the Director of Customer Success at Layer, a tech startup creating tools for the AEC industry. She enjoys wearing many hats and getting involved with many different parts of the company at Layer.

Silvia also hosts and produces the Tangents Podcast by Out of Architecture which shares stories of untraditional paths in architecture. Silvia hopes to bring more understanding to the wide variety of skills and talents that architects have, as well as offer support and encouragement for those who have been frustrated with the industry.

Shin-pei’s experience converges on policy, design, and governance to shape inclusive, sustainable, people-centered cities. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded innovative approaches to systemic challenges across numerous urban issues, often with a focus on the public realm and transportation. Shin-pei currently leads the Mayor's Office for New Urban Mechanics in Boston, and was most recently director of global policy for cities and sustainability at Uber. She has also held leadership roles at Gehl Institute, Transit Center, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and served on the boards of SPUR and Transportation Alternatives. 

Today’s guest is Graciela Carrillo, AIA. Graciella is a licensed Architect working as a Senior Manager at Nassau BOCES Facilities Services overseeing capital and operational projects for County school districts.

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.