(IN) COURAGE

Next up is my co-worker, Lauren. She is a passionate and knowledgeable Architect, a leader in Sustainability and she has an infectious laugh! Hope you enjoy reading her thoughtful responses just as much as I did. Enjoy!

1) What do you do for a career? (also include if you are a parent/grandparent)

I am an architect deeply passionate about the environment. Over two years ago, I
transitioned from being a Project Architect to the Director of Sustainability, a shift that has significantly enriched my career. My enthusiasm for environmental stewardship began in 4th grade when New York State launched its recycling program in the early 1990s. I even designed posters to promote recycling throughout my school.

As I grew older, I became increasingly aware of how abandoned buildings in Rochester impacted their neighborhoods and recognized the vital role of preservation in sustaining communities. Today, I feel fortunate to work on existing buildings every day, combining my architectural skills with my commitment to sustainability.

On a personal note, I’m a proud mom of a nine-year-old who is just starting 4th grade. I’m thrilled to be one of his soccer coaches and to witness his growth both on and off the field.

2) Who has inspired you? Why?
My mom, along with my dad, has been a profound source of inspiration throughout my life. Diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disease, my mom fought the illness with incredible heroism and strength for thirty years. Her discipline was unmatched—every day, she would rise at 4 a.m. to do swim aerobics at our local high school, which helped ease her joint pain. She’d return home just after 5 a.m. to wake me up so I could get ready for school while she prepared to head to work. I played three sports and often had late games, so those early mornings
allowed me to finish any lingering homework from the night before. The discipline she modeled is something I carry with me to this day.

Beyond her strength, my parents’ unwavering encouragement and support were
instrumental in my path to becoming an architect. My dad still jokes that I started Kindergarten and never looked back—and it’s true. But it’s their boundless reassurance that helped me navigate architecture school, internships, and becoming a licensed architect, even in places far from where I grew up. Their influence has shaped every step of my journey.

3) What are some examples of things you’ve done that are courageous?
Switching career paths more than 15 years into my architecture journey ranks among the most significant decisions I’ve ever made. Typically, I’m not a risk-taker; my choices are usually carefully calculated and backed by thorough analysis. However, when the Director of Sustainability role emerged, I knew I couldn’t let it pass by. This position has taught me so much, and I’m incredibly grateful for both the opportunity and the immense support I’ve received.

The introduction of the new Massachusetts Energy Code at the end of 2022 was a
game-changer, presenting a significant unknown in terms of its impacts. What I’ve learned through this experience is that true courage lies in confronting the unknown and turning it into a strength.

4) Do you have a ‘bucket list’? Would you mind sharing at least one thing on that list?
I definitely have a bucket list, but what I love even more is when you stumble upon an experience that wasn’t on your list but should have been. This has happened to me a few times, like when I interned one summer in New York City. Living in Manhattan and running in Central Park every weekend was a dream come true. As a kid, I always imagined living in New York City, and when that dream became a reality, it felt truly magical.

More recently, while in Munich, I visited the 1972 Olympic Stadium and stood in the
stadium where Prefontaine once ran—a moment that quickly became a highlight.
Traveling and seeing the places I studied, not later in life but now, while life is vibrant, is another item on my bucket list. My recent travels have taken me to Vienna, and I’m eagerly looking forward to visiting Prague or Copenhagen next.

5) What inspiring advice would you give for others?
LIVE and ACT. Plans are valuable, no doubt about it. But in my experience, they rarely capture the true essence of the journey. The journey often takes you to places that plans could never anticipate or fully comprehend. John Lennon says it all: “Life Is What Happens When You’re Busy Making Other Plans.” It’s also our unique experiences in life that shape what we create.

6) Is there something about you/your work or hobby you’d like to be shared?
Growing up, we had a darkroom in our basement, and the influence of George Eastman and Kodak was deeply woven into our lives. Our family began experimenting with infrared film, which transforms the sky into a deep black and turns trees white. We’d often explore Mount Hope Cemetery—designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted—where Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony are buried.

Photography remains a passion of mine, though now I take photos with a digital camera. I also started drawing with charcoal and painting as an adolescent. Whenever I find the time (which is rare these days), I can easily lose myself in creating my next piece.

7) HOT SEAT! What is your question for me?
What’s a moment in your life that seemed insignificant at the time but ended up shaping who you are today?

This is a great question and ties so well to the responses above! Like Lauren, I feel like so much of how I approach things is more calculated. I think it stems from my childhood, but that is a story for another day!

A moment that felt insignificant, at the time was trying a Muay Thai Class.

When I was living in Detroit, and just graduated I had an interest in trying Kickboxing. At the time I also felt that it would be a really big step for me to even try something like that, so we got a heavy bag for the basement and never end up trying a class.

After moving to Boston, my boss at the time told me about a local place and encouraged me to try it. So, I got out my shell and decided to try ‘Kickboxing’.
It was a Saturday Morning Muay Thai class. I had never heard of Muay Thai before, but instantly fell in love and it changed my life. Since, among many other experiences, I’ve fought Full-Contact and trained in Thailand – both experiences were incredibly enriching, and am a Muay Thai Instructor,