Architecture is often measured by the buildings we create—their beauty, function, and performance. But I've come to believe our greatest impact is much broader. Architecture can bring people together, create opportunity, improve quality of life, and help communities imagine a better future.

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That belief has shaped the way I practice architecture, the way I approach sustainability, and increasingly, the way I think about leadership. I don't just want to build better buildings. I want to help build a better profession.

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My experience as an instructor at the University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College reinforced that belief. Teaching showed me the power of investing in the next generation of architects—sharing knowledge, creating opportunities, and helping others grow into their potential. When we educate and support one another, we strengthen not only our profession, but the buildings and communities we ultimately serve.

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That has become an important part of how I lead. I believe our responsibility as architects extends beyond the individual projects we design. We have a responsibility to grow the people who will design the next generation of places, and in doing so, improve the quality and impact of the built environment for everyone.

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My commitment to building a stronger profession has also shaped how I have developed my own practice. I pursued my LEED AP BD+C, Guiding Principles Compliance Professional, and Green Globes Professional credentials to deepen my understanding of high-performance design and give me the tools to help project teams make better decisions.

But credentials are only valuable when knowledge is put to work—and shared. Much of my career has focused on translating that knowledge into practical education, helping architects, students, and project teams understand not only what sustainable design requires, but why it matters.

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My own leadership journey was shaped in part by the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program, where I was a scholar and graduate in 2022 and later served as Co-Chair. That experience reinforced my belief that leadership is not simply about taking responsibility—it is about creating opportunities for others to grow.

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Since 2023, I have served as Chair of AIA New Mexico's Committee on the Environment, working to create a culture of learning, collaboration, and accessibility within the profession. Through COTE, I've helped develop educational programs, connect students and emerging professionals with practicing architects, and create opportunities for the broader design community to engage with sustainability. That work has also extended into advocacy, including helping the profession engage with sustainability initiatives and provide input on policy during New Mexico's legislative sessions.

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That work has been recognized with the AIA New Mexico Associate Award in 2024, AIA Albuquerque Board Member of the Year in 2025, and Albuquerque Business First's 40 Under 40 in 2025. I'm grateful for those honors, but I see them less as individual achievements and more as recognition of what can happen when people come together around a shared purpose.

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Teaching and speaking have continued to be an important part of that work. From my time teaching at the University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College to guest lectures and design reviews at Texas Tech University, I've continued to look for opportunities to share knowledge and help others see what is possible within our profession.

That opportunity has extended beyond the classroom. At the USGBC ADAPT Conference in Denver, I moderated a conversation with Peter Templeton, President and CEO of USGBC and GBCI, bringing a New Mexico perspective into a national conversation about the future of sustainable and resilient buildings.

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For me, leadership is ultimately about creating more people who are capable of doing great work. The better we educate, support, and challenge one another, the better the buildings we bring to life—and the greater our impact on the people who use them.