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Copyright © 2019 Neumann/Smith Architecture
Celebrating Diversity in Architecture
18 April 2023
March 8, 2024 by in People Forward
EMPOWERED WOMEN
empower women
Female team members at neumann/smith - group photo in the lobby

celebrating women in architecture

 

As the world gears up to celebrate International Women’s Day, we are honored to shine a spotlight on the incredible achievements and contributions of our female architects, designers, and support staff. In our firm, creativity thrives under the leadership of these remarkable women.

From pioneering innovative designs to leading projects large and small, our female architects, designers, and support staff leave an indelible mark. Their dedication and passion are the driving force behind our most noteworthy achievements. Without their vision, our culture and the architectural landscape would not be the same.

From Our Inspirational Women
Lilly Ristau Marketing Manager
LILLY RISTAU
marketing manager
“Coming from manufacturing, I was drawn to the architecture industry because of its creative nature. It’s inspiring to work with talented people who design truly beautiful and innovative spaces every day. I love being able to visit downtown Detroit, college campuses across the state, or even my hometown and see people utilizing our buildings as a part of their daily life. Our legacy as a firm is represented all around us through the built environment, and that’s an exciting thing to be a part of.”
Charlott Glaab Senior Designer
CHARLOTT GLAAB, RA, NCIDQ
interior designer
“One of the best pieces of advice I have been given is ‘Even the big starchitects must LISTEN.’ One of the most important traits for a great designer and architect is to be able to listen to their client. To listen, to interpret, and to observe. Maybe observing my moms design style, seeing the ostrich egg and interpreting that as something she would like was the first time I acted as an interior designer. Too often do I witness professionals (of ANY profession) pushing their own goals and visions in lieu of putting the customer first.”
Emily Bojo Interior Designer
EMILY BOJO
interior designer
“One of the most rewarding aspects of being an architect/interior designer is knowing that you are impacting a person’s mood in a positive manner when they enter a beautiful, safe, and thoughtful space that you designed. As designers, we combine empathy and knowledge to create spaces that are functional for the user while striving to uplift them at the same time. Each project comes with its own challenges, but it is rewarding to offer solutions and be part of that problem solving process.”
Sara Sarkisian Bell
SARA SARKISIAN BELL, RA, NCARB, LEED AP
project manager, associate
“For me, the most rewarding part of being an architect is to see a project built and to have developed a long-lasting relationship with a client. Getting a project to the finish line is typically the result of years of incredibly hard work for our team, and those years are often full of challenges, problem-solving, and a lot of intense coordination with multiple layers of teammates. Also, knowing that our clients have often spent years getting their initial idea developed before we are even on board, it is very satisfying to see how their initial idea has to come to life through our work and is now a real, living, three-dimensional building. The team’s accomplishment is only further enhanced by the positive relationships we build through those years of collaboration, hopefully leading to that next project when we can do it all over again.”
Empowering Creativity, Shaping the Future

As we celebrate the achievements of our female architects and designers, we also recognize the importance of creating a more inclusive and equitable future in architecture. Through their resilience, innovation, and leadership, these women inspire us to continue breaking barriers and shaping a built environment that reflects the diversity and creativity of our society.

This International Women’s Day, join us in celebrating the remarkable influence of women in architecture. Together, let’s empower creativity and shape a future where talent knows no boundaries.

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ALEXIS CATANESE, RA, NCARB
project architect
Barbara Grossi
BARBARA GROSSI
Architectural Professional
Dawn Peterson, Director of Specifications
DAWN PETERSON, AIA, CSI, CDT, LEED AP
director of specifications
Hannah McElheney, Interior Designer
HANNAH MCELHENEY, NCIDQ
interior designer
Kayla Tear
KAYLA TEAR, RA
designer
Lynn Saylor
LYNN SAYLOR, RA, LEED AP
project architect
Melanie Johnson
MELANIE JOHNSON
cheif finacial officer, principal
Sarah Cichowski
SARAH CICHOWSKI
senior architectural professional
Amie Mommersteeg Media Coordinator
AMIE MOMMERSTEEG
media coordinator
Brianna Peterson
BRIANNA PETERSON
office assistant
Ekin Coccia, Design Director
EKIN COCCIA, NCIDQ
design director / workplace strategy, associate
Jadine Sibblis
JADINE SIBBLIS
architectural intern
Lilly Ristau Marketing Manager
LILLY RISTAU
marketing manager
Melissa Armatis
MELISSA ARMATIS, NCIDQ
senior interior designer
Sarah Olney Interior Designer
SARAH OLNEY
interior designer
Bailey Dougherty
BAILEY DOUGHERTY
architectural professional
Charlott Glaab Senior Designer
CHARLOTT GLAAB, RA, NCIDQ
senior designer, associate
Emily Bojo Interior Designer
EMILY BOJO
interior designer
Jennifer McKenzie
JENNIFER MCKENZIE
office manager
Liz Kempa, RA
LIZ KEMPA, RA, NCARB
project architect
Megan Kaminski
MEGAN KAMINSKI
architectural professional
Sara Sarkisian Bell
SARA SARKISIAN BELL, RA, NCARB, LEED AP
project manager, associate
Sura Daood
SURA DAOOD
architectural professional
Female Neumann/Smith team members group photo in lobby

 

This blog post is a tribute to the remarkable women at Neumann/Smith Architecture, whose dedication and passion drive our firm’s success. Their stories inspire us to continue striving for excellence and creating spaces that enrich lives.

Happy International Women’s Day!

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