FOX Features: International Women’s Day 2018
We’re proud of the women who make FOX Architects one of Washington, DC’s top architecture and interior design firms. As 67% of our staff, we couldn’t function without the leadership, talent, and insight of the women on our team. Women hold 50% of leadership roles at FOX Architects and comprise significant portions of our teams: 73% of corporate, 44% of architecture, and 77% of interiors.
For International Women’s Day, we’re introducing you to a few women we’re proud to work with. (We’d profile all 41 if we had space in this post.) They’re some of the women behind our iconic buildings and interiors throughout the nation’s capital, and they empower the firm to do our best work. Meet Alana, Michelle, Jasmine, and Stephanie!
Alana Elston, Associate, Director of HR
How long have you worked at FOX Architects?
13 years!
Which project are you most proud of, and why?
Bringing both of the FOX Architects offices together. There was a lot behind the scenes from an HR perspective that included employment law, cultural considerations, not to mention working through benefit enhancements. This project was a complete revamp of HR for the firm.
What was the biggest challenge you faced working on that project? How did you approach that challenge?
Building excitement among staff in both offices to have everyone under one roof. As you can imagine, there were some initial reservations. Staff become extremely comfortable in their routines and current work environments. This was a complete “shake up.” It was rewarding after the move took place to see how seamlessly we came together, and new relationships were formed immediately — a true testament to the culture of the firm. We’re continuing the momentum by incorporating more social engagement opportunities throughout the year.
What is the greatest challenge you face in your role or career?
HR is not the grim reaper! Overcoming the notion that as an HR professional, you simply hire and fire. There are many aspects of human resources that build employee morale: social engagements, organizational development, and policy, among others. I feel extremely fortunate as an HR professional to be able to connect with people daily.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
My life outside of work is filled with activities built around my two children Joshua (7) and Mela (4) — between dance and sports, my weekends are busy. I’m also a foodie! I absolutely love to cook and try new area restaurants.
In your life outside of work, what are you learning right now?
I’m currently working towards my SHRM-SCP (SHRM Senior Certified Professional). While I do hold an MBA, this certification broadens my knowledge and scope in HR.
What are you most proud of in your life?
My smart and beautiful children. Becoming a mom has been the most rewarding aspect of life for me.
What are your goals for the future?
To grow as an HR professional and leader in the firm, and to naturally carve out more time for myself.
Who inspires you, and why?
My mom is a true inspiration to me. She’s overcome such adversity and tremendous life challenges. Twenty-two years ago, she started a non-profit organization, The Women’s Collective, that provides case management support to women affected by the same adversities and challenges. She’s a true advocate for women’s rights and had been featured in many publications and media outlets because of her advocacy.
Michelle Reyman, Associate, Technical Director, Interiors
How long have you worked at FOX Architects?
Almost 4 years
Which project are you most proud of, and why?
Creation of a standards committee to oversee consistent drawings standards between departments and offices.
What was the biggest challenge you faced working on that project? How did you approach that challenge?
We essentially had three departments that had developed their own ways of documenting their projects. It was a challenge to create consensus on the best way to move forward with one set of standards for everyone.
What is the greatest challenge you face in your role or career?
Balancing work and parenthood.
What do you wish people understood about your work, that they don’t understand?
Just because I focus on the technical side of our profession, doesn’t mean that I have no interest or aptitude for the aesthetic side. The best technical people are also solid designers and the best designers have a solid technical competence.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Taking care of my children takes most of my time. I volunteer as a co-leader for my daughter’s Girl Scout troop, which I really enjoy. I also love cooking, gardening, reading and traveling (when I can).
In your life outside of work, what are you learning right now?
I never stop learning. It is my favorite pastime. Currently, I am trying to get a handle on gluten-free baking. I recently discovered I had a wheat allergy and the gluten-free baked goods on the market are pretty awful. I’m determined to find a way to make decent gluten-free baguettes.
What are you most proud of in your life?
It’s hard to pick one thing. I’m tenacious by nature, so if I decide I’m going to accomplish something, I do it. I’m proud that I have been able to pursue a career in architecture and maintain a healthy home life.
What are your goals for the future?
Raise children that are stable, self-sufficient, contributing members of society. To have an interesting life and die knowing that I lived fully.
Who inspires you, and why?
My mom. When she was in high school, she was given a career aptitude test. The results were, and I’m not kidding: “If you are a man, you can be an architect; if you are a woman, you can be a florist.” She laughed it off and went on to study interior design at Drexel University. She was the only woman I knew growing up that worked part-time from home in order to balance work and life. That was pretty unheard of in the ‘80s, but she did things her own way and gave me the role model I needed to be successful.
Jasmine Brown, Project Architect
How long have you worked at FOX Architects?
5 months
Which project are you most proud of, and why?
In his book, Style and Creativity in Design, my professor, Dr. Chiu-Shui Chan, referenced my project on rhythm in the built environment to support his design theory. My contribution was one idea, but to me, this shows true collaboration. Some ideas fall on good soil and grow into something great with other people’s help. In this case, my seed of an idea grew into something that supports Dr. Chan’s particular understanding of design cognition. Now this information is available to the world to help designers recognize their own design style and design processes. Cool, right?
What was the biggest challenge you faced working on that project? How did you approach that challenge?
Sharing my ideas and allowing people around me to be sounding boards to challenge and develop my ideas. It was a process of understanding how to connect design thinking to physical elements.
What is the greatest challenge you face in your role or career?
My greatest challenge has been seeing the good in people, despite how they view, treat, or speak to me, so that we can collaborate in a productive way.
What do you wish people understood about your work, that they don’t understand?
The time it takes to consider all viable options in order to solve the problem at hand. A lot of people underestimate the domino effect that one change can have on a project.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Most of my time is spent in community, engaging in activities centered around faith and delish homemade food: volunteering at local shelters to give food and share hope, happy hours celebrating awesome people in my life who are doing awesome things, and creative pursuits. I like to create things or put a new twist on existing things. I recently reupholstered a pair of arm chairs that were gifted to me. I’m excited for the conversations they will enable.
In your life outside of work, what are you learning right now?
How to say NO! I’m in the process of understanding my long-term goals and focusing my yeses to align with my larger vision, from finances to volunteering, and my career.
What are you most proud of in your life?
I am most proud of following a dream I had as a child and seeing it into fruition: becoming an architect. I know my proudest moment in life is yet to come! The future is bright!
What are your goals for the future?
To help business owners empower their employees to perform at their full potential EVERY DAY!
Who inspires you, and why?
Ayesha Curry. She is thriving in an industry that she was not professionally trained in, but her experience in acting has allowed her to flow so gracefully into her niche as a celebrity chef. I’m encouraged that I am not limited to my training as an architect, but it is my advantage in achieving my goal. Designing workspaces enables me to promote employee health and wellness and empower people in their work.
Stephanie Smore, Project Designer
How long have you worked at FOX Architects?
8 months
Which project are you most proud of, and why?
Something that I’ve really taken advantage of since starting my career is my network. I graduated from Virginia Tech, which, of course, gave me this unbelievable amount of connections when I moved to the DC area. These connections have not only given me a larger network, they have presented me with job opportunities, involvement in professional organizations, and the confidence of knowing that I’ll find a familiar face when I walk into events.
What is the greatest challenge you face in your role or career?
Time management. In our industry, you must learn to juggle many projects and tasks simultaneously, and it’s not easy. Learning to manage your time is a skill that I think is necessary no matter your career path. It is certainly something that I have been working on since day one and will continue to work on.
What do you wish people understood about your work, that they don’t understand?
I don’t pick paint colors, throw pillows, and curtains all day long. I very rarely do any of that. It’s hard for people outside of the industry (and sometimes within the industry) to understand that there is a difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator. I wish I could show anyone who doesn’t understand the profession a construction set that an interior designer has done. I think we would gain a lot more respect that way!
How do you spend your time outside of work?
I really love to go on hikes in the Shenandoah Valley, runs around the city, and visiting family and friends. I’ve recently been hit with the travel bug as well, so my boyfriend and I are always trying to plan the next big trip!
In your life outside of work, what are you learning right now?
Calligraphy. It has always been an interest of mine. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been taking classes and really started focusing on the techniques I need to improve. It’s been a great way to stay creative outside of work and to help friends out with wedding invitations!
What are your goals for the future?
To be the happiest I can be with the people and career I have surrounded myself with.
Who inspires you, and why?
My parents. They built such a strong, loving family. They showed my sisters and me how to balance everything life gives you, and they have done it so gracefully. If I am so lucky to become what they are today, I will feel that I have made it.